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 three times a year: in March, June and December.
CPE takes place twice: in June and December. 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.
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Top]
2) When are the next FCE exams?
Reading
(Paper 1)
1 hour
Dates Saturday 06 December 2008 AM or Tuesday 09
December 2008 AM
Writing (Paper 2)
1 hour 20 minutes
Dates
Saturday 06 December 2008 AM or Tuesday 09 December 2008 AM
Use of
English (Paper 3)
45 minutes
Dates Saturday 06 December 2008 AM or Tuesday
09 December 2008 AM
Papers 4 and 5 are held by separate arrangement, within
specified periods - contact your centre for more details.
Listening (Paper
4)
40 minutes
Dates 06 December 2008 or 09 December 2008
Speaking
(Paper 5)
14 minutes
Dates 14 November to 14 December 2008
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.
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to Top]
4) How much is each paper worth?
Each
paper carries 20% of the total mark.
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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).
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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.)
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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
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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12)
What are the FCE set texts?
From December 2008 to 2009 these are:
Charles
Dickens, Great Expectations (Macmillan or any edition)
Gaston Leroux, The
Phantom of the Opera (Penguin or any edition)
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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.
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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?
Reading
(Paper 1)
1 hour 15 minutes
Dates Wednesday 10 December 2008 AM
Writing (Paper 2)
1 hour 30 minutes
Dates Wednesday 10 December
2008 AM
Use of English (Paper 3)
1 hour
Dates Wednesday
10 December 2008 AM
Papers 4 and 5 are held by separate arrangement,
within specified periods - contact your centre for more details.
Listening
(Paper 4)
40 minutes
Dates Wednesday 10 December 2008 AM/PM
Speaking (Paper 5)
15 minutes
Dates 14 November to 14 December
2008
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
the first time from December 2008 the CAE exam will offer the 'set text' option.
From
December 2008 to 2009 these are:
Kingsley Amis, Lucky Jim
John Grisham,
The Pelican Brief
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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 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?
Reading
(Paper 1)
1 hour 30 minutes
Dates Thursday 11 December 2008 AM
Writing (Paper 2)
2 hours
Dates Thursday 11 December 2008 AM
Use of English (Paper 3)
1 hour 30 minutes
Dates Thursday 11 December
2008 PM
Papers 4 and 5 are held by separate arrangement, within specified
periods - contact your centre for more details.
Listening (Paper 4)
45
minutes
Dates Thursday 11 December 2008 PM
Speaking (Paper
5)
19 minutes
Dates 14 November to 14 December 2008
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
2008 these are
*Michelle Magorian, Goodnight Mister Tom
*Tobias Hill,
The Cryptographer
Tracy Chevalier, Girl with a Pearl Earring
* also
set in 2007
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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.
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