First Certificate in English

FCE is an exam at level B2 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework for people who can use everyday written and spoken English at an upper-intermediate level. It is an ideal exam for people who want to use English for work or study purposes.

Is FCE for you?

Can you…

understand texts from a wide variety of sources?
use English to make notes while someone is speaking in English?
talk to people about a wide variety of topics?
understand people talking in English on radio or television programmes?

If this describes your skills now, or describes the level of skills you are working towards, then FCE is the right exam for you.

Test format

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.

Results

Each component carries 20% of the total marks. There are three pass grades (A, B and C) and certificates are awarded to candidates who achieve these grades. Candidates who achieve a grade D or E are judged not to have reached the required standard for FCE.

British Council
4/12 Hryhoriya Skovorody St.
Kyiv 04070

Telephone +380 44 490 5600
Fax +380 44 490 5605
info@britishcouncil.org.ua

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British Council Ukraine

FCE

Cambridge ESOL General

KET – Key English Test

PET – Preliminary English Test

CAE – Certificate in Advanced English

CPE – Certificate of Proficiency in English

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