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 (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?

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) 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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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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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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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?

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) 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.
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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.
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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 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.
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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.
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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?

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 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.
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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.
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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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