Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions about Cambridge Exams
1) What are the Cambridge General English Exams?
3) When do the exams take place?
4) How do I enrol for the exams?
5) Where can I do a preparation course for a Cambridge exam?
1)
What are the Cambridge General English Exams?
These are designed to help
you measure your progress in English. They can be used to prove your level of
English for college or university, or to demonstrate your ability to an employer.
[Back
to Top]
2) Where are they recognised?
The
General English exams (FCE, CAE and CPE) are widely respected across the world.
You can search the Cambridge ESOL recognition database to show the latest schools,
universities and employers that recognise the Cambridge exams:
http://www.cambridgeesol.org/recognition/search.php
[Back
to Top]
3) When do the exams take place?
The FCE and CAE exams take place several times a year. See the FAQs
for your particular exam for dates this year.
[Back to Top]
4)
How do I enrol for the exams?
If you're studying in a school then speak
to your teacher first. In order to take FCE, CAE or CPE exam you will need to
enrol at one of the 2,000 examination centres that Cambridge ESOL has throughout
the world. Clicking the link below will let you search the Cambridge ESOL web
site to find your nearest exam centre?
http://cambridgeesol-centres.org/centres/index.do
You
must approach your local centre and not the examination board itself.
[Back
to Top]
5) Where can I do a preparation
course for a Cambridge exam?
If you're thinking of studying in the UK
the EnglishUK website (www.englishuk.com)
has details of hundreds of schools and colleges and additional advice for anyone
planning to study in th UK.
[Back to Top]
6)
How much do they cost?
If depends on the country in which you take the
exam. Contact the Local Secretary at the centre concerned for information on fees.
[Back
to Top]
7) When do I get my results?
Results
are sent out to centres about 6 weeks after the exam has taken place. Centres
then forward the results to you. Candidates can also register for the online results
service here:
http://www.candidates.cambridgeesol.org/cs/Results_Online
[Back
to Top]
FCE Questions
1) I've decided to take FCE. How do I enrol for the exam?
2) When are the next FCE exams?
3) How many components are there?
4) How much is each paper worth?
6) How many marks do I need to pass, and do I need to pass each paper in order to pass the exam?
7) What percentage do I need to get an A, B, C grade, etc?
8) Will I get a certificate if I pass?
9) Will I find out how I performed in each paper?
11) I've heard the FCE exam has been updated.
12) What are the FCE set texts?
13) What's the best way of preparing for the exam?
1) I've decided to
take FCE. How do I enrol for the exam?
In order to take the exam you
will need to enrol at one of the 2,000 examination centres that Cambridge ESOL
has throughout the world. (Clicking will let you search
the Cambridge ESOL web site to find your nearest one.) You must approach your
local centre and not the examination board itself.
[Back to
Top]
2) When are the next FCE exams?
February Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Saturday 27 February 2010
Speaking
Saturday 20 February 2010 – Sunday 28 February 2010
March Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Saturday 13 March 2010
Speaking
Sunday 05 March 2010 – Sunday 28 March 2010
April Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Thursday 22 April 2010
Speaking
Saturday 17 April 2010 – Sunday 25 April 2010
May Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Saturday 15 May 2010
Speaking
Friday 07 May 2010 – Sunday 16 May 2010
June Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Saturday 12 June 2010
Speaking
Monday 24 May– Sunday 20 June
or
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Tuesday 15 June 2010
Speaking
Monday 24 May– Sunday 20 June
July Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Saturday 17 July 2010
Speaking
Saturday 10 July 2010 –Sunday 18 July 2010
August Session (paper-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Thursday 26 August (UK and Republic of Ireland only)
Speaking
Saturday 21 August 2010 – Sunday 29 August 2010
August Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Saturday 28 August
Speaking
Saturday 21 August – Sunday 29 August
November Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Friday 19 November 2010
Speaking
Saturday 13 November 2010 – Sunday 21 November 2010
December Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Saturday 11 December 2010
Speaking
Friday 19 November 2010 – Sunday 12 December 2010
Note that different timetable arrangements will
apply for FCE candidates at centres in Greece.
[Back to Top]
3)
How many components are there?
There are five separate papers: Reading,
Writing,
Use of English (grammar and vocabulary), Listening
and Speaking.
Click on each one to get a summary of what you have to do in each paper.
[Back
to Top]
4) How much is each paper worth?
Each
paper carries 20% of the total mark.
[Back to Top]
5)
How is the exam graded?
You will achieve either a pass grade (Grade
A, B or C) or a fail grade (Grade D or E).
[Back to Top]
6)
How many marks do I need to pass, and do I need to pass each paper in order to
pass the exam?
Each paper is worth a maximum of 40 marks. The total
number of marks available is therefore 200 and you will need to achieve around
60% overall in order to pass. (Individual papers are not marked on a pass/fail
basis.)
[Back to Top]
7)
What percentage do I need to get an A, B, C grade, etc?
The approximate
percentages you need to achieve each grade are as follows, but note that there
will be some slight variations between exam sessions. These are an approximate
guide only!
Grade A = 80% and above
Grade B = 75% to 79%
Grade
C = 60% to 74%
Grade D = 55% to 59%
Grade E = 54% and below
[Back
to Top]
8) Will I get a certificate if I pass?
Yes,
you will get a certificate showing your grade (A, B or C). However, you won't
get a certificate if you fail.
[Back to Top]
9)
Will I find out how I performed in each paper?
Yes, all candidates are
given a Statement of Results, which shows how you performed in each paper: Exceptional,
Good, Borderline or Weak.
[Back to Top]
10)
When do I get my results?
Approximately six weeks after you have taken
the exam, the exam centre is issued with your results. The results show how well
you performed in each Paper on the following scale: Exceptional - Good - Borderline
- Weak
About one month after that, the formal certificates will be issued.
N.B. Please do not contact Flo-Joe about your exam results as we are not involved
in the administration of the exams!
[Back to Top]
11)
I've heard the FCE exam has been updated.
Yes, the first updated FCE
exam will be offered in December 2008. All the preparation material on the Flo-Joe
website, including FCE Exam Success Plus, has been revised to reflect the new
exam specifications.
[Back to Top]
12) What are the FCE set texts?
For 2010 these are:
Wilkie Collins: The Woman in White (Black Cat or any edition)
Michael Crichton: Jurassic Park (Macmillan or any edition)
[Back to Top]
13)
What's the best way of preparing for the exam?
That depends on you,
how much money you want to spend and how you like to learn! You may decide to
take an FCE course in a language school; you may decide to study on your own with
FCE books and software; or you may decide to combine both of these ways. You should
ensure that any books or other materials you use are fully up-to-date with the
new FCE specifications.
[Back to Top]
CAE Questions
1) I've decided to take CAE. How do I enrol for the exam?
2) When are the next CAE exams?
3) How many components are there?
4) How much is each paper worth?
6) How many marks do I need to pass, and do I need to pass each paper in order to pass the exam?
7) What percentage do I need to get an A, B, C grade, etc?
8) Will I get a certificate if I pass?
9) Will I find out how I performed in each paper?
11) I've heard the CAE exam has been updated.
12) What are the CAE set texts?
13) What's the best way of preparing for the exam?
1) I've decided to
take CAE. How do I enrol for the exam?
In order to take the exam you
will need to enrol at one of the 2,000 examination centres that Cambridge ESOL
has throughout the world. (Clicking will let you search
the Cambridge ESOL web site to find your nearest one.) You must approach your
local centre and not the examination board itself.
[Back to
Top]
2) When are the next CAE exams?
March Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Saturday 6 March 2010
Speaking
Sunday 05 March 2010 – Sunday 28 March 2010
March Session (computer-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Saturday 13 March 2010
Speaking
Tuesday 06 March 2010 – Friday 14 March 2010
April Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Friday 23 April 2010
Speaking
Saturday 17 April 2010 – Sunday 25 April 2010
May Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Sunday 16 May 2010
Speaking
Friday 07 May 2010 – Sunday 16 May 2010
June Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Wednesday 16 June 2010
Speaking
Monday 24 May– Sunday 20 June
or
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Tuesday 15 June 2010
Speaking
Monday 24 May– Sunday 20 June
July Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Friday 16 July 2010
Speaking
Saturday 10 July 2010 –Sunday 18 July 2010
August Session (paper-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Thursday 26 August (UK and Republic of Ireland only)
Speaking
Saturday 21 August 2010 – Sunday 29 August 2010
September Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Saturday 25 September 2010
Speaking
Saturday 18 August – Sunday 26 August
October Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Saturday 23 October 2010
Speaking
Saturday 16 October – Sunday 24 October
November Session (paper-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Saturday 13 November 2010
Speaking
Friday 5 November 2010 – Sunday 14 November 2010
December Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Sunday 5 December 2010
or
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Speaking
Friday 19 November 2010 – Sunday 12 December 2010
Note that different
timetable arrangements will apply for CAE candidates at centres in Greece.
[Back
to Top]
3) How many components are there?
There
are five separate papers: Reading,
Writing,
Use of English
(grammar and vocabulary), Listening
and Speaking.
Click on each one to get a summary of what you have to do in each paper.
[Back
to Top]
4) How much is each paper worth?
Each
paper carries 20% of the total mark.
[Back to Top]
5)
How is the exam graded?
You will achieve either a pass grade (Grade
A, B or C) or a fail grade (Grade D or E).
[Back to Top]
6)
How many marks do I need to pass, and do I need to pass each paper in order to
pass the exam?
Each paper is worth a maximum of 40 marks. The total
number of marks available is therefore 200 and you will need to achieve around
60% overall in order to pass. (Individual papers are not marked on a pass/fail
basis.)
[Back to Top]
7)
What percentage do I need to get an A, B, C grade, etc?
The approximate
percentages you need to achieve each grade are as follows, but note that there
will be some slight variations between exam sessions. These are an approximate
guide only!
Grade A = 80% and above
Grade B = 75% to 79%
Grade
C = 60% to 74%
Grade D = 55% to 59%
Grade E = 54% and below
[Back
to Top]
8) Will I get a certificate if I
pass?
Yes, you will get a certificate showing your grade (A, B or C).
However, you won't get a certificate if you fail.
[Back to
Top]
9) Will I find out how I performed in each
paper?
Yes, all candidates are given a Statement of Results, which shows
how you performed in each paper: Exceptional, Good, Borderline or Weak.
[Back
to Top]
10) When do I get my results?
Approximately
six weeks after you have taken the exam, the exam centre is issued with your results.
The results show how well you performed in each Paper on the following scale:
Exceptional - Good - Borderline - Weak
About one month after that, the formal
certificates will be issued. N.B. Please do not contact Flo-Joe about your exam
results as we are not involved in the administration of the exams!
[Back
to Top]
11) I've heard the CAE exam has been
updated.
Yes, the first updated CAE exam will be offered in December
2008. All the preparation material on the Flo-Joe website, including CAE Exam
Success Plus, has been revised to reflect the new exam specifications.
[Back
to Top]
12) What are the CAE set texts?
For 2010 these are:
John Steinbeck: Of Mice and Men
Donna Leon: Through a Glass, Darkly
[Back to Top]
13) What's the best way of preparing
for the exam?
That depends on you, how much money you want to spend
and how you like to learn! You may decide to take a CAE course in a language school;
you may decide to study on your own with CAE books and software; or you may decide
to combine both of these ways. You should ensure that any books or other materials
you use are fully up-to-date with the new CAE specifications.
[Back
to Top]
CPE Questions
1) I've decided to take CPE. How do I enrol for the exam?
2) When are the next CPE exams?
3) How many components are there?
4) How much is each paper worth?
6) How many marks do I need to pass, and do I need to pass each paper in order to pass the exam?
7) What percentage do I need to get an A, B, C grade, etc?
8) Will I get a certificate if I pass?
9) Will I find out how I performed in each paper?
11) What are the CPE set texts?
12) What's the best way of preparing for the exam?
13) Does the CPE satisfy the requirements for university entrance in the UK?
1)
I've decided to take CPE. How do I enrol for the exam?
In order to take
the CPE (also known as the Proficiency) exam you will need to enrol at one of
the 2,000 examination centres that Cambridge ESOL has throughout the world. (Clicking
will let you search
the Cambridge ESOL web site to find your nearest one.) You must approach your
local centre and not the examination board itself.
[Back to
Top]
2) When are the next CPE exams?
March Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Saturday 6 March 2010
Speaking
Sunday 05 March 2010 – Sunday 28 March 2010
May Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Sunday 16 May 2010
Speaking
Friday 07 May 2010 – Sunday 16 May 2010
June Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Thursday 17 June 2010
Speaking
Monday 24 May– Sunday 20 June
December Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
Sunday 5 December 2010
or
Thursday 9 December 2010
Speaking
Friday 19 November 2010 – Sunday 12 December 2010
Note that different timetable arrangements
will apply for CPE candidates at centres in Greece.
[Back
to Top]
3) How many components are there?
There
are five separate papers: Reading,
Writing,
Use of English
(grammar and vocabulary), Listening
and Speaking.
Click on each one to get a summary of what you have to do in each paper.
[Back
to Top]
4) How much is each paper worth?
Each
paper carries 20% of the total mark.
[Back to Top]
5)
How is the exam graded?
You will achieve either a pass grade (Grade
A, B or C) or a fail grade (Grade D or E).
[Back to Top]
6)
How many marks do I need to pass, and do I need to pass each paper in order to
pass the exam?
Each paper is worth a maximum of 40 marks. The total
number of marks available is therefore 200 and you will need to achieve around
60% overall in order to pass. (Individual papers are not marked on a pass/fail
basis.)
[Back to Top]
7)
What percentage do I need to get an A, B, C grade, etc?
The approximate
percentages you need to achieve each grade are as follows, but note that there
will be some slight variations between exam sessions. These are an approximate
guide only!
Grade A = 80% and above
Grade B = 75% to 79%
Grade
C = 60% to 74%
Grade D = 55% to 59%
Grade E = 54% and below
[Back
to Top]
8) Will I get a certificate if I
pass?
Yes, you will get a certificate showing your grade (A, B or C).
However, you won't get a certificate if you fail.
[Back to
Top]
9) Will I find out how I performed in each
paper?
Yes, all candidates are given a Statement of Results, which shows
how you performed in each paper: Exceptional, Good, Borderline or Weak.
[Back
to Top]
10) When do I get my results?
Approximately
six weeks after you have taken the exam, the exam centre is issued with your results.
The results show how well you performed in each Paper on the following scale:
Exceptional - Good - Borderline - Weak
About one month after that, the formal
certificates will be issued. N.B. Please do not contact Flo-Joe about your exam
results as we are not involved in the administration of the exams!
[Back
to Top]
11) What are the CPE set texts?
For 2010 these are
Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard: Shakespeare in Love: A Screenplay (1998);
film directed by John Madden.
N.B. Teachers may choose to prepare candidates for questions on this
set text by studying the film as well as, or instead of, the screenplay.
Philip K. Dick Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968)
N.B. The film Blade Runner (1982), directed by Ridley Scott is based
on this novel, but is very different from the original text and should
not be studied instead of the novel as preparation for questions in
CPE Paper 2
12)
What's the best way of preparing for the exam?
That depends on you, how
much money you want to spend and how you like to learn! You may decide to take
a CPE course in a language school; you may decide to study on your own with CPE
books and software; or you may decide to combine both of these ways.
[Back
to Top]
13 Does the CPE satisfy the requirements
for university entrance in the UK?
All UK universities, in addition
to their specific course requirements, will ask you for evidence of competence
in English. Most, if not all, universities accept CPE as this evidence, although
some may ask for a B or even an A grade, depending on the degree course. For more
information on recognition of CPE in UK universities go to the Cambridge ESOL
website.
"http://www.cambridgeesol.org/recognition/index.php"
Note that the CPE can give access to a range of careers where a thorough
knowledge of English is required.
[Back to Top]