The First Certificate in English (FCE) is widely recognised among educational institutions and companies worldwide as accreditation of an intermediate English language ability.
| Description |
Council of Europe |
UK QCA |
| Intermediate |
B2 |
Level 1 |
| March 2009 |
EUR 160.00 |
| Enrolment dates |
05 - 16 January 2009 |
| Written exam |
Saturday 14 March 2009 |
| Interviews |
06 - 29 March 2009 |
| June 2009 |
EUR 165.00 |
| Enrolment dates |
09 February - 06 March 2009 |
| Written exam |
Tuesday 16 June 2009* (Lisbon only)
OR
Saturday 13 June 2009* |
| Interviews |
25 May - 28 June 2009 |
| December 2009 |
EUR 165.00 |
| Enrolment dates |
07 September – 02 October 2009 |
| Written exam |
Saturday 12 December 2009*
OR
Tuesday 08 December 2009* (Lisbon only) |
| Interviews |
20 November – 20 December 2009 |
*Due to regulations, it is not possible to change the date once enrolments are made.
Enrolments can only be accepted if payment is made by the enrolment deadline. You can enrol:
- By post
Download the enrolment form (pdf, 126k), follow the simple instructions and return it to your nearest centre, together with a photocopy of your ID card and a cheque made payable to 'British Council' for the examination fee.
- In person
At any British Council office (please check opening hours). You will need to complete the examination enrolment form and bring with you your ID card. Payment can be made by Multibanco, cheque or cash. (Note: no Multibanco in Porto).
 |
 |
|
Reading (60 minutes) |
|
|
|
Writing (80 minutes) |
|
|
|
Use of English (45 minutes) |
|
|
|
Listening (40 minutes approx) |
|
|
|
Speaking (15 minutes) |
Visit the Cambridge ESOL site.
All completed exam papers are returned to Cambridge for marking. The examiners are English-teaching specialists with relevant experience at the appropriate level. Examiners are trained, their work is continuously monitored and checked by highly experienced senior examiners as they work.
There are five possible grades for FCE: A, B and C are 'pass' grades; D and E are 'fail' grades. The grade is based on your total score in all the papers. Nine weeks after the exam you will receive a Statement of Results giving the overall grade and including a graphical display of your performance in each component. These are shown against the scale Exceptional - Good - Borderline - Weak. Certificates are issued to you if successful approximately four months after the exam.
| 
