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 click here.

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 click here.

In 2009 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.

• Charles Dickens Great Expectations (Macmillan)
• Gaston Leroux The Phantom of the Opera (Penguin)

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 click here.

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  click here.

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 click here.

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

Passing grades - A, B, C

Failing grades - D, E

A - 80 % and above

B - 75% - 79 %

C - 60% - 74%

D - 55 % - 59%

E - 54 % and below

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 Council Library.