The procedure explained step-by-step

Important message:

British Council will be closed for the Easter holidays from Friday, 13 April to Monday, 16 April. This is why we are extending the registration deadline (Friday, 13 April) for the June 2012 session of the FCE/CAE/CPE exams until 17 April. We wish you happy Easter holidays!

HOW DO I PAY FOR MY EXAM?
Fees may be paid by bank transfer to CITIBANK, 2 Maria Luiza Blvd., Sofia, IBAN (Leva) BG24 CITI 9250 1051 0009 03
Or cash (by debit/credit card) at the time of your registration at our Customer Services Centre, working hours: Monday-Friday 09.00-18.00hrs..
If you choose to pay your fee(s) by bank transfer you should submit a clear copy of the bank statement at registration.
Bank transfers should be arranged no more than 2 weeks before we receive the registration documents.

WHAT ARE THE REGISTRATION CONDITIONS?
Important information for candidates! We may not be able to organise an exam session at your preferred town if the number of registered candidates does not meet the Centre’s minimum entry requirements. You should indicate your 2nd and 3rd choices on your Individual Registration Form in case we are not able to organise the exam in a given town. The Centre reserves the right for a final decision on the choice of examination venues.”

You can register by post or in person.

by post/ courier: send your completed and signed entry form together with clear copies of your ID card/passport, and of your proof of bank payment, so that we receive them by the deadline for registration. It will be your responsibility to check with us by phone or email if your documents have been delivered within the registration period.
in person: please bring with you your ID card/passport, complete and sign an individual entry form and pay the fee for the exam you have chosen in cash or submit a proof of a bank transfer at our office in Sofia. If you are unable to come in person you can send a person with your notarised written agreement and with a copy of your ID card/passport to register you.
Your school of preparation may also register you if they have arrangements for block registration of their students.
There are no age restrictions on candidates entering for Cambridge exams and tests. However, in the case of the young learners' tests, the test content is specially suited to 7-12 year olds and candidates older than 12 should be directed towards the Key English Test (KET).

Once you have registered, you will not be able to transfer your entry to a future exam sitting, or to a different level of exam.
Please tell us if you have a permanent or long-term disability. Cambridge ESOL are ready to make suitable arrangements for such candidates whenever possible provided that our Centre has submitted your application to Cambridge, supported by medical documents up to six months before the date of the chosen examination.
Examinations Services reserve the right to cancel an exam if the number of registered candidates does not meet the Cambridge ESOL minimum entry requirements.
You should read the Summary Regulations for Candidates from Cambridge ESOL, which you accept when you register for the exam.

Block registration for schools
If you are a school official and you want to register your candidates with us, please read the Block entry requirements document which describes the registration procedure in detail.

Refunds
If you are unable to sit your examination because of illness, Cambridge ESOL will accept requests for partial refunds (approx. half the fee), that are made through our Centre and accompanied by an original medical document (bolnichen list for candidates who are employed, or medicinska belezhka accompanied by ambulatoren list for candidates who are not employed) If you are over 18 years old, but not employed, you have to submit proof (a copy of a university or school student card, registration as unemployed, etc.).
The statement should be submitted to Examinations Services, British Council Sofia, within 10 days of the examination date.
If you are taken ill on the Speaking date, please contact us immediately to check if a new arrangement is possible.
N.B. No refund will be issued in respect of a timetable clash with a local, or other examination.

Confirmation of entries and exam timetables
All candidates will receive their full timetable information including venues for all exam components and Notice to candidates by email. Find out more from the Cambridge ESOL Exam dates brochure.
If you have not received these documents it is your responsibility to contact Examinations Services at British Council Sofia for details.

Results
Results are normally available online around 5–7 weeks after the exam for paper-based exams and two weeks after the exam for computer-based tests. With your timetable you will receive detailed instructions how to check your results. Cambridge ESOL reserves the right to amend information given before the issue of certificates.

Enquiries on results on behalf of candidates can be made only via our Centre and must be received no later than the end of the month following the result issue date. To make use of this option please download the Enquiry on Results Form. Please complete the form and return it to us along with proof of payment. The decisions of Cambridge ESOL concerning results are final.

Certificates are normally sent to exam centres within three months of the exam. An invitation to collect their certificates will be emailed to all successful candidates.

Because of the value placed on certificates, we will require candidates and schools to collect and sign for them in person.

Extended certification

From March 2011 Cambridge ESOL has introduced Extended Certification designed to give candidates additional credit for the language skills they have demonstrated in a Cambridge ESOL examination. It also aims at helping universities, employers and other organisations obtain a clearer picture of how candidates' results relate to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). It works in two ways: a candidate who performs particularly well in the exams can get credit at a higher level on the CEFR. For example, candidates who get garde A in Cambridge English: Advanced receive a 'CAE' certificate indicating that they are at C2 level. Candidates can also receive credit for their English language skills, even if they do not achieve a passing grade. So a candidate who does not get enough marks for a grade C in Cambridge English: Advanced can still be awarded a certificate showing performance at level B2 if they show this level of ability in the exam.

Preparation towards exams and textbooks
You can prepare yourself for the exams by attending preparatory courses at our Teaching Centre or at other language schools and centres, by private lessons or by self-study.
The recommended textbooks for the exams can be obtained locally from the local booksellers of CUP, OUP, Longman, Heinemann, etc.

If you have queries or wish to make a complaint/ suggestion please contact us:
Tel: 02 942 43 01 (Examinations Services Centre: open Monday-Thursday 0900-1700 hrs & Fridays 0900-1200 hrs) or 02 942 43 44 (Customer Services Centre: open Monday-Friday 0900-1800 hrs)
Fax: 02 942 43 06
email: exams@britishcouncil.bg