The Cambridge General English exams are designed for learners at all levels from the elementary level Key English Test to the very Advanced Certificate of proficiency in English. These exams are known throughout the world are widely recognized for work and study purposes.
KET (CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH KEY): LEVEL A2
KET is an elementary level exam. It tests the ability to cope with everyday written and spoken communications at a basic, practical level using real-life travel, study and working situations. KET is recognised by administrative, industrial and service-based employers around the world as a qualification in basic English.
KET consists of three papers:
Reading and Writing: 1 hour 10 minutes
You will need to be able to understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. You will also have to fill gaps in simple sentences and write a short piece of around 25 words.
Listening: 30 minutes
You show your ability to understand announcements and other simple messages when they are spoken quite slowly.
Speaking: up to 10 minutes
You will have to demonstrate that you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Speaking tests are normally held with two candidates.
You can find out more about KET by visiting: www.cambridgeenglish.org/ket
PET (CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH PRELIMINARY): LEVEL B1
PET is an intermediate level exam. It tests the ability to cope with everyday written and spoken communications. Studying for PET is a popular way to improve your language skills and use them in a wide range of contexts. PET is recognised by many employers and educational institutions as proof of intermediate level English skills.
PET consists of three papers:
Reading and Writing: 1 hour 30 minutes
You need to show you can read texts from signs, newspapers and magazines and understand the main points. You will need to show you can use vocabulary and grammar by completing tasks such as writing a short message and a story or letter of about 100 words. You will also complete an exercise involving changing the meaning of sentences.
Listening: 30 minutes (approx.)
You will show you can understand the meaning of a number of recorded spoken texts, including announcements and discussions about everyday life. You also need to be able to understand the attitudes and intentions of the speakers.
Speaking: 10-12 minutes
In this test, which is taken in pairs, you have to show how well you speak English by taking part in a conversation, asking and answering questions, and talking freely about your likes and dislikes.
You can find out more about PET by visiting: www.cambridgeenglish.org/pet
FCE (CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH FIRST): LEVEL B2
FCE is an upper-intermediate level exam. It tests the ability to deal confidently with a range of written and spoken communications. FCE is recognised by many universities as proof of being able to study in English. It is also recognised by employers as an English certificate suitable for those working in business and management.
FCE has five papers:
Reading: 1 hour
You will need to be able to understand information in fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines.
Writing: 1 hour 20 minutes
You are asked to produce two different pieces of writing such as a short story, a letter, an article, a report, a review or an essay.
Use of English: 45 minutes
This tests your use of English with tasks which show how well you control your grammar and vocabulary.
Listening: 40 minutes
Here you need to show you can understand the meaning of a range of spoken texts including news programmes, speeches, stories, anecdotes and public announcements.
Speaking: 14 minutes
You will take the Speaking test with another candidate or in a group of three, and you will be tested on your ability to take part in different types of interaction - with the examiner and with the other candidates – and to speak on your own.
You can find out more about FCE by visiting: www.cambridgeenglish.org/fce
CAE (CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH ADVANCED ): LEVEL C1
CAE is an advanced level exam that tests the ability to deal confidently with English in most professional, academic and social situations. This qualification is widely recognised around the world for studying at university level as well as for employment and immigration purposes.
CAE consists of five papers:
Reading: 1 hour 15 minutes
This shows you can deal confidently with a wide range of types of written text.
Writing: 1 hour 30 minutes
You are required to show you can write a variety of different text-types including essays, proposals, reports and reviews.
Use of English: 1 hour
This tests your ability to use the right words, tenses and idioms in the right situation and in the right places.
Listening: 40 minutes
Here you have to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken text, such as lectures, speeches and interviews.
Speaking: 15 minutes
In this test, taken with one or two other candidates, you will be assessed on your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations.
You can find out more about CAE by visiting: www.cambridgeenglish.org/cae
CPE (CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY): LEVEL C2
CPE is Cambridge English’s most advanced exam. It is aimed at people who use English for professional or study purposes and are approaching the fluency and sophistication of an educated native speaker. This certificate is recognised by nearly all UK universities and by other teaching organisations and employers around the world.
CPE consists of five papers:
Reading: 1 hour 30 minutes
You will need show understanding of the meaning of written English at word, sentence, paragraph and whole text level in a very wide range of authentic contexts.
Writing: 2 hours
This tests your ability to produce a number of different written texts, such as a short story, a letter, an article, a report or a composition, each of about 300—350 words.
Use of English: 1 hour 30 minutes
Your use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary and how well you can summarise information.
Listening: 40 minutes (approx.)
You need to show you can understand the meaning of a wide range of spoken texts, including lectures, news programmes and public announcements.
Speaking: 19 minutes
Along with another candidate or in groups of three, you will be tested on your ability to take part in different types of interaction with the examiner, with the other candidates and by yourself.
You can find out more about CPE by visiting: www.cambridgeenglish.org/cpe
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