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Nivell B2
An upper-intermediate
level English exam for
business and academic
purposes.

The First Certificate in English is an upper-intermediate level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level B2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Choose FCE if your knowledge of English is adequate for many practical everyday purposes, including business and study.

To be successful, you will have a wide grasp of vocabulary, and be able to construct an argument and use appropriate communication styles for a variety of situations. You also need to show an awareness of register and of the conventions of politeness and degrees of formality as they are expressed through language.

FCE is taken by more than 270,000 people each year in more than 100 countries.


What will taking FCE help you do?

FCE is at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) - an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. The framework uses six levels to describe language ability from A1 to C2. 'Can Do' statements have been used to describe these levels in terms of real skills with language.

For example, at B2 level, typical users can be expected to:

  • understand the main ideas of complex pieces of writing
  • keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics, expressing opinions and presenting arguments
  • produce clear, detailed writing, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view.

Your preparation for FCE will give you these kinds of practical language skills.



What is involved in taking the FCE exam?

FCE has five papers:
  • Reading: 1 hour
    You will need to be able to understand information in fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines.
  • Writing: 1 hour 20 minutes
    You will have to show you can produce two different pieces of writing such as a short story, a letter, an article, a report, a review or an essay.
  • Use of English: 45 minutes
    Your use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well you control your grammar and vocabulary.
  • Listening: 40 minutes
    You need to show you can understand the meaning of a range of spoken material, including news programmes, speeches, stories and anecdotes and public announcements.
  • Speaking: 14 minutes
    You will take the Speaking test with another candidate or in a group of three, and you will be tested on your ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other candidates and by yourself.
FCE 2010-2011
Set Texts for Paper 2: Writing
One or more of the following texts may be read as preparation for the two optional set text tasks:
  • The Woman in White (Black Cat or any edition) Wilkie Collins.
  • Jurassic Park (Macmillan or any edition) Michael Crichton
The texts are Graded Readers which have been adapted to the level and are suitable for FCE candidates. Other editions of these books may be available. However, teachers and candidates should be aware that the language level in other editions may be less accessible.

Registration for the FCE sessions

Schools can find information about registration for the FCE exams on the contact page. They can also register their candidates on-line on this web site.

Registration period and exam fees
'Paper Based' Sessions 'Computer Based' Sessions
Exam date
Final entry date
Fees
Saturday 17 July 10 (CB)
CLOSED
Saturday 28 August 10 (CB)
6 August 10
164 €
Friday 19 November 10 (CB)
29 October 10
169 €
Tuesday 7 December 2010
20 October 10
Saturday 11 December 2010
20 October 10
Saturday 26 February 2011 ** (CB)
TBC
** Session available in Barcelona and Mataró.
Saturday 12 March 2011
TBC
Thursday 14 April 2011 ** (CB)
TBC
** Session available in Barcelona, Mataró, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Manresa, Sant Cugat del Vallès and Sabadell.
TBC
Saturday 14 May 2011
TBC
Saturday 11 June 2011 **
TBC
** Session available in Barcelona, Mataró, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Manresa and Sant Cugat del Vallès.
TBC
Tuesday 14 June 2011
TBC
Saturday 16 July 2011 ** (CB)
TBC
** Session available in Barcelona, Mataró, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Manresa, Sant Cugat del Vallès and Sabadell.
.


Late registration and cancellations

A late registration fee of 24 € per candidate will be charged for entries received during the 2 weeks after the end of the registration period and 40 € after this period. If a candidate is unable to attend an exam session on medical grounds, a 24 € administration fee will be retained by the centre and the remainder of the fees will be returned to the candidate. No refund will be made for any other reason.


Special arrangements for candidates

Cambridge ESOL provides a Special Arrangements service for some candidates, for example those with learning difficulties, hearing difficulties or visual difficulties.

For further information on the services we provide, click the links on the left or below:

Learning difficulties
Hearing or speaking difficulties
Visual difficulties

We also have information on the range of modified materials that can be provided for candidates with special requirements.


IMPORTANT

In order to avoid spelling mistakes on exam certificates, please make sure that candidates' names and surnames are spelt correctly and that you have included their date of birth. The centre cannot accept responsibility for spelling mistakes or missing accents on final certificates. Schools registering groups of students should provide us with their name, address, email and telephone number so that we can issue results directly to the school.

 

 


FCE 2010-2011
Set Texts for Paper 2: Writing
The Woman in White (Black Cat or any edition) Wilkie Collins.
Jurassic Park (Macmillan or any edition) Michael Crichton

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