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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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?
January Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
21 January 2012
Speaking
19 January 2012–22 January 2012
February Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
21 February 2012
Speaking
10 February 2012–19 February 2012
February Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
25 February 2012
Speaking
18 February 2012–26 February 2012
March Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
10 March 2012
Speaking
24 February 2012–11 March 2012
March Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
24 March 2012
Speaking
17 March 2012–25 March 2012
April Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
14 April 2012
Speaking
6 April 2012–15 April 2012
April Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
12 April 2012
Speaking
7 April 2012–15 April 2012
May Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
19 May 2012
Speaking
04 May 2012–20 May 2012
May Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
26 May 2012
Speaking
19 May 2012–27 May 2012
June Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
9 June 2012
Speaking
25 May 2012 –17 June 2012
or
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
12 June 2012
Speaking
25 May 2012–17 June 2012
June Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
16 June 2012
Speaking
9 June 2012–17 June 2012
July Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
27 July 2012
Speaking
21 July 2012–29 July 2012 (Overseas)
19 July 2012-27 July 2012 (UK)
July Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
14 July 2012
Speaking
7 July 2012–15 July 2012
August Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
23 August 2012
Speaking
18 August 2012–26 August 2012
August Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
11 August 2012
Speaking
4 August 2012–12 August 2012
September Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
28 September 2012
Speaking
22 September 2012–30 September 2012
October Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
13 October 2012
Speaking
5 October 2012-14 October 2012
October Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
20 October 2012
Speaking
13 October 2012-21 October 2012
November Session (paper-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
10 November 2012
Speaking
2 November 2012–11 November 2012
December Session (Paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
4 December 2012
or
8 December 2012
Speaking
16 November 2012–9 December 2012
December Session (Computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
30 November 2012
Speaking
24 November 2012–2 December 2012
Note that different timetable arrangements will
apply for FCE candidates at centres in Greece.
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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 2012 these are:
William Thackeray: Vanity Fair (Black Cat or any edition)
Mary Stewart: This Rough Magic (OUP)
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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?
January Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
14 January 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
January Session (compuer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
21 January 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
February Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
11 February 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
February Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
16 February 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
March Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
17 March 2012
or
31 March 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
March Session (computer-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
23 March 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
April Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
7 April 2012
or
21 April 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
April Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
14 April 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
May Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
12 May 2012
or
13 May 2012
0r
26 May 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
May Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
5 May 2012
or
31 May 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
June Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
9 June 2012
or
13 June 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
June Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
23 June 2012
or
30 June 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
July Session (paper based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
26 July 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
July Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
7 July 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
August Session (paper-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
24 August 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
August Session (computer-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
10 August 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
September Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
15 September 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
September Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
22 September 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
October Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
20 October 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
October Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
27 October 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
November Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
10 November 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
November Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
17 November 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
December Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
1 December 2012
or
2 December 2012
or
5 December 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
December Session (computer-based exams)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
8 December 2012
Speaking
Contact your local centre
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 2012 these are:
William Golding: Lord of the Flies
P.D. James: The Lighthouse
[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
10 March 2012
Speaking
24 February 2012–11 March 2012
May Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
12 May 2012
Speaking
04 May 2012–13 May 2012
June Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
14 June 2012
Speaking
25 May 2012–17 June 2012
November Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
10 November 2012
Speaking
2 November 2012–11 November 2012
December Session (paper-based exam)
Reading, Writing, Use of English & Listening
1 December 2012
or
6 December 2012
Speaking
16 November 2012–9 December 2012
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 2012 these are
Sue Monk Kidd: The Secret Life of Bees (2002); film directed by Gina
Prince-Byrewood (2008)
Teachers may choose to prepare candidates for questions on this set
text by studying the film as well as, or instead of, the novel.
Harold Pinter: The Birthday Party (1958)
[Back to Top]
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]