Flo-Joe for Cambridge English Exams

FAQs

Frequently asked questions about the Cambridge English exams

Frequently Asked Questions


General Questions about Cambridge Exams

1) What are the Cambridge General English Exams?

2) Where are they recognised?

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?

6) How much do they cost?

7) When do I get my results?

 

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 B2: First (FCE), C1: Advanced (CAE) and C2: Proficiency (CPE) are widely respected across the world. You can search the Cambridge English recognition database to show the latest schools, universities and employers that recognise the Cambridge exams:
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/recognition/
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3) When do the exams take place?
The B2: First (FCE), C1: Advanced (CAE) and C2: Proficiency (CPE) 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 B2: First (FCE), C1: Advanced (CAE) or C2: Proficiency (CPE) exam you will need to enrol at one of the 2,000 examination centres that Cambridge English has throughout the world. Clicking the link below will let you search the Cambridge English website to find your nearest exam centre?
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/find-a-centre/
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.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-qualifications/see-exam-results-online/

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B2: First (FCE) Questions

1) I've decided to take B2: First. How do I enrol for the exam?

2) When are the next B2: First exams?

3) How many components are there?

4) How much is each paper worth?

5) How is the exam graded?

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?

10) When do I get my results?

11) What's the best way of preparing for the exam?

 

1) I've decided to take B2: First. 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 English has throughout the world. (Search the Cambridge English web site to find your nearest one.) You must approach your local centre and not the examination board itself.
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2) When are the next B2: First exams?
Check dates here on the Cambridge English website.
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3) How many components are there?
There are four separate papers: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Click on each one to get a summary of what you have to do in each paper.
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4) How much is each paper worth?
The Reading and Use of English paper carries 40% of the total mark. The other three papers are 20% each.
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5) How is the exam graded?
Visit the Cambridge English website for an explanation of how your grades are awarded.
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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?
Visit the Cambridge English website for an explanation of how your grades are awarded.
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7) What scores 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 = 180-190 (C1)
Grade B = 173-179 (B2)
Grade C = 160-172 (B2)
Level B1 = 140-159
More information here.
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8) Will I get a certificate if I pass?
Yes, you will get a certificate showing your grade (A, B or C).
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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.
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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.
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) 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 B2: First course in a language school; you may decide to study on your own with B2: First 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 B2: First specifications.
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CAE Questions

1) I've decided to take C1: Advanced. How do I enrol for the exam?

2) When are the next C1: Advanced exams?

3) How many components are there?

4) How much is each paper worth?

5) How is the exam graded?

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?

10) When do I get my results?

11) What's the best way of preparing for the exam?

 

1) I've decided to take C1: Advanced. 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 English has throughout the world. (Clicking will let you search the Cambridge English web site to find your nearest one.) You must approach your local centre and not the examination board itself.
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2) When are the next C1: Advanced exams?
Download dates here on the Cambridge English website.
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3) How many components are there?
There are four separate papers: Reading and Use of English, Writing, 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?
The Reading and Use of English paper carries 40% of the total mark. The other three papers are 20% each.
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5) How is the exam graded?
Visit the Cambridge English website for an explanation of how your grades are awarded.
[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?
Visit the Cambridge English website for an explanation of how your grades are awarded.
[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 = 200-210 (C2)
Grade B = 193-199 (C1)
Grade C = 180-192 (C1)
Grade D = 160-179 (B2)
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8) Will I get a certificate if I pass?
Yes, you will get a certificate showing your grade (A, B or C).
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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.
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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.
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) 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 C1: Advanced 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 C1: Advanced specifications.
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C2: Proficiency (CPE) Questions

1) I've decided to take C2: Proficiency. How do I enrol for the exam?

2) When are the next C2: Proficiency exams?

3) How many components are there?

4) How much is each paper worth?

5) How is the exam graded?

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?

10) When do I get my results?

11) What's the best way of preparing for the exam?

12) Does the C2: Proficiency satisfy the requirements for university entrance in the UK?

 

1) I've decided to take C2: Proficiency. How do I enrol for the exam?
In order to take the C2: Proficiency (also known as CPE) exam you will need to enrol at one of the 2,000 examination centres that Cambridge English has throughout the world. (Clicking will let you search the Cambridge English web site to find your nearest one.) You must approach your local centre and not the examination board itself.
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2) When are the next C2: Proficiency exams?
Download dates here on the Cambridge English website.
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3) How many components are there?
There are four separate papers: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Click on each one to get a summary of what you have to do in each paper.
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4) How much is each paper worth?
Reading and Use of English 40%
Writing 20%
Listening 20%
Speaking 20%
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5) How is the exam graded?
Visit the Cambridge English website for an explanation of how your grades are awarded.
[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?
Visit the Cambridge English website for an explanation of how your grades are awarded.
[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 = 220-230 (C2)
Grade B = 213-219 (C2)
Grade C = 200-212 (C2)
Grade D = 180-199 (C1)
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8) Will I get a certificate if I pass?
Yes, you will get a certificate showing your grade (A, B or C).
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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.
[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.
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) What are the C2: Proficiency set texts?
Set texts for January 2020 - December 2021:
Nick Hornby: About a Boy (any edition); film directed by Chris and Paul Weitz (2002)
Dodie Smith: I Capture the Castle (any edition); film directed by Tim Fywell (2000)
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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 C2: Proficiency course in a language school; you may decide to study on your own with C2: Proficiency books and software; or you may decide to combine both of these ways.
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13 Does the C2: Proficiency 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 C2: Proficiency 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 C2: Proficiency in UK universities go to the Cambridge English website.
"http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/recognition/"
Note that the C2: Proficiency can give access to a range of careers where a thorough knowledge of English is required.
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