communicate effectively face to face, expressing opinions and presenting arguments
write clear, detailed English, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view
follow the news
write letters, reports, stories, and lots of other types of text
The FCE exam is made up of four exam papers, designed to test the key language skills. The four papers are: Reading and Use of English; Writing; Listening; and Speaking.
PAPER 1: READING & USE OF ENGLISH (1h 15 min)
7 parts and 52 questions
Different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines, promotional and informational materials
Parts 1-4 (grammar & vocabulary):
Part 1: 8 multiple-choice questions related to vocabulary in a text
Parts 2 & 3: gap filling in a text (choosing / forming the correct word for each gap)
Part 4: keyword transformation
Parts 5-7 (reading comprehension):
Part 5: multiple-choice questions about a text
Part 6: gapped text
Part 7: matching statements to the correct part of a text
PAPER 2: WRITING (1 h 15 min)
2 parts
between 140 & 190 words
Part 1: compulsory essay
Part 2: candidates are given 3 options and asked to write one of the following:
article
email/letter
report
review
PAPER 3: LISTENING (40 min)
4 parts
Part 1: 8 short conversations & 1 multiple choice question
Part 2: sentence completion with the missing information on a short text
Part 3: multiple matching (select 5 options from a list of 8 possible answers)
Part 4: long conversation & multiple choice
PAPER 4: SPEAKING (14 min)
4 parts
face-to-face with two or three other candidates and two examiners
Part 1_Interview_ (2 min): a short conversation with the examiner about the candidate's life
Part 2_Long turn (1 min x candidate): compare 2 pics & answer a question about them
Part 3_Collaborative task (3 min): conversation between the candidates in a decision-making task
Part 4_Discussion (4 minutes): discussion between the candidates on topics related to the collaborative task
Watch this video from Cambridgeenglish tv: Cambridge English First for Schools Speaking test
The exam is targeted at Level B2 of the CEFR. The examination also provides reliable assessment at the level above B2 (Level C1) and the level below (Level B1).
Scores between 122 and 139 are also reported for B2 First for Schools. You will not receive a certificate, but your Cambridge English Scale score will be shown on your Statement of Results.
The relationship between the CEFR levels, the Cambridge English Scale and the grades awarded in B2 First for Schools is illustrated here: