Reading (1 hour) comprises 3 parts with 30 questions in total:

Part 1 - multiple choice;
Part 2 -  gapped text sentences;
Part 3 - multiple matching.

For Parts 1 and 2 two marks are given for each correct answer and for Part 3 one mark is given for each correct answer. There are three texts in this paper.

To learn more about this part of the exam and to download a sample paper please visit the Cambridge ESOL Candidate Support website.

Writing (1 hour and 20 minutes) comprises 2 tasks:

Part 1 is a compulsory letter or email (120-150 words);
Part 2 is a task selected from a choice of five. In Part 2 candidates choose to write an article, a letter, a report, an essay, a review or a story (120-180 words) or they can choose a task on a prescribed background reading text.

To learn more about this part of the exam and to download a sample paper please visit the Cambridge ESOL Candidate Support website.

In 2012 FCE session one or more of the following texts may be read as preparation for the two optional set text tasks: article, essay, report, review, letter.

• William Thackeray: Vanity Fair (Black Cat or any edition)
• Mary Stewart: This Rough Magic (OUP)

In 2012 FCE for Schools session one or more of the following texts may be read as preparation for the two optional set text tasks: article, essay, report, review, letter.

• William Shakespeare: Macbeth (The ELT Graphic Novel, Heinle Cengage Learning)
• Joe Simpson: Touching the Void (Macmillan or any edition)

Use of English (45 minutes) comprises 4 parts with 42 questions in total:

Part 1 - multiple choice lexical cloze;
Part 2 – open cloze;
Part 3 – word formation;
Part 4 – key word transformations.

For Papers 1, 2 and 3 one mark is given for each correct answer and for Part 4 up to two marks are given for each answer.

To learn more about this part of the exam and to download a sample paper please visit the Cambridge ESOL Candidate Support website.

Listening (ca 40 minutes) comprises 4 parts with 30 questions in total:

Part 1 – multiple choice;
Part 2 – sentence completion;
Part 3 – multiple matching;
Part 4 – multiple choice.

Each text is heard twice. One mark is given for each correct answer.

To learn more about this part of the exam and to download a sample paper please visit the Cambridge ESOL Candidate Support website.

Speaking (14 minutes) comprises 4 parts:

Part 1 – interview (candidates talk to the examiner and each other about themselves, their home, family, school or work, plans for the future, etc.);

Part 2 – individual long turns (each candidate talks about a set of photographs);

Part 3 - collaborative task (candidates do a task together);

Part 4 – discussion (candidates discuss a topic with the examiner).

The speaking test format is two candidates and two examiners.

To learn more about this part of the exam and to download a sample paper Cambridge ESOL Candidate Support website.

The oral part of FCE is marked in Poland by experienced and highly trained examiners.

Grades:

A - 80% and above

B - 75 - 79 %

C - 60 - 74%

CEFR* Level B1 - 45 - 59%

Fail - 44% and below

*CEFR = Council of Europe Framework of Reference

NEW!!!

In March 2011 University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations introduced an extended certification of its English language exams. Candidates taking the Cambridge English language exams who do not achieve a passing grade but have demonstrated language ability at the Council of Europe Framework of Reference level below the examination they have taken will be awarded a certificate showing that level. The following information will be given as the overall grade:

Council of Europe Level B1 - for FCE exam.

A preparation course is not a requirement for those wanting to register for FCE, although candidates may find it beneficial to prepare for the examination under the guidance of an experienced teacher. . You can register for a course in our Teaching Centre in Warsaw and Krakow or other language schools which run preparation courses

A wide range of books on preparing for FCE is available at most language bookshops in Poland. Preparation materials are also available in the British Libraries in Poland.

Find out more about the results statistics of Cambridge ESOL exams.