HOW DOES IT WORK?

Every candidate has access to a computer. Candidates answer the questions that appear on the screen and there is a quick tutorial before the test which explains how to navigate the program. What is more, every candidate receives a set of headphones which is used for the Listening part. After having finished the test, the answers are sent to Cambridge ESOL via an internet connection.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER-BASED TESTS?

• more exam sessions available within a year
• use of technology candidates are familiar with
• attractive and user-friendly interface
• online timer on the screen
• access to help functions during the test
• easiness in editing answers on screen during the test
• use of headphones which ensures high quality of sound and allows candidates to adjust the volume to their needs
• faster access to results on-line
• certificate identical to the one received after the paper-based exam and recognised by the same institutions

WHO CAN SIT COMPUTER-BASED TESTS?

Computer-based tests are an excellent solution for people used to using computers. They do not replace the traditional examinations but give a choice to those students who prefer doing a test with a keyboard and mouse.

WHAT DOES THE COMPUTER-BASED TEST CONSIST OF?

The exam consists of the same parts as the paper-based test, i.e.:

• Reading
• Writing
• Use of English (in FCE and CAE)
• Listening
• Speaking

All the tasks in the Reading, Writing and Use of English components have the same form as the paper-based format.

The Listening part is heard on headphones which ensures high quality of sound and allows candidates to adjust the volume to their needs.

The Speaking part is exactly the same as in the paper-based format – candidates are matched in pairs and first they talk with the examiner and then with each other.

Take your chance on the computer-based practice tests.

HOW DO I REGISTER?

• Individual candidates register for KET, KET for Schools, PET, PET for Schools, BEC, FCE and CAE in open sessions through the Internet registration system EntryNet.
• Group registration for closed sessions – KET, KET for Schools, PET, PET for Schools, FCE, CAE, and BEC exams can be conducted in a school or institution for organised groups of 10 candidates or more. Institutions entering their students/employees for KET, PET or BEC exams have a wider choice of exam dates than in the case of candidates registering individually. Organised groups are registered in the same way as for paper-based tests.

https://rejestracja.britishcouncil.pl/formularz-rejestracyjny.php?ln=en

The registration procedures for computer-based examinations sessions are as follows:

1. For exams taken before 30th June 2012 please read the Cambridge ESOL Examinations Regulations carefully.

For exams taken in the period between 1st July 2012 and 30th June 2013 please read the Cambridge ESOL Examinations Regulations carefully.

2. In the registration period (see the registration deadlines) enter your candidature into the candidates on-line database in the British Council EntryNet system on www.britishcouncil.pl.

3. Deposit the required fee according to the instructions given in the British Council EntryNet.

Candidates who by the above dates do not observe the procedures stated in points 1, 2 and 3 will not be able to enter for the given session of the Cambridge ESOL computer-based examinations and their personal data will be deleted from the candidates database in the British Council EntryNet on-line registration system.

WHEN DO THE COMPUTER-BASED TESTS TAKE PLACE AND WHEN CAN I REGISTER?

Go to the ExamFinder below to check when you can register and take the exam.

http://www.examfinder.britishcouncil.pl/?ln=en

WHAT ARE THE EXAMINATIONS FEES?

The fees for Cambridge ESOL exams taken before 30th June 2012 are presented in the Examinations Fees document.

The fees for Cambridge ESOL exams taken in the period between 1st July 2012 and 30th June 2013 are presented in the Examinations Fees document.

WHERE CAN I SIT THE COMPUTER-BASED TESTS?

You can register and take an exam in all British Council examination centres in Poland.

What are the arrangements for candidates with special needs?

For technical reasons special arrangements for computer-based exams are not being offered in 2011.

HOW LONG WILL I WAIT FOR MY RESULTS?

The results of Cambridge ESOL computer-based tests will be ready to download two weeks after the exam date. Certificates of computer-based tests do not differ from the ones received on sitting the paper-based test version and are recognized by the same institutions as the most prestigious indication of language skills http://www.cambridgeesol.org/recognition/index.html.

HOW CAN I COLLECT A CAMBRIDGE ESOL CERTIFICATE?

You can collect your certificate:

• in person at the British Council Examination Centre (where the exam was taken);
• by authorising someone who will collect your certificate on your behalf at the British Council Examination Centre (where the exam was taken).
  You should authorise them in writing by filling in the form;
• by registered post at your expense*. Before the certificate is sent you must fill in the request;
• by courier at your expense**. Before the certificate is sent you must fill in the request.

* Postage fee should be paid to the following bank account:

BRITISH COUNCIL, Al. Jerozolimskie 59, 00-697 Warszawa
68 1030 1061 0000 0000 3018 9000
SWIFT code: CITIPLPX

Title of payment: Despatch of certificate/Candidate’s name/Session/Examination Centre number

** Payment by cash on delivery in accordance with the rates of UPS

For fees please refer to the Examinations Fees document.

How to verify a Cambridge ESOL certificate?

In May 2010 University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations launched a Results Verification Service to help organisations, individuals and agencies to validate candidates' Cambridge ESOL examination results.

The service is free of charge and available online at https://verification.cambridgeesolonline.org/User/SignIn?ReturnUrl=%2f Anyone can use this free service once they have been given permission to verify a result by the certificate holder. Hence, it is a great opportunity for employers to validate the Cambridge ESOL certificates presented by future employees – the service offers all examinations results gathered from 2005 inclusively. The Results Verification Service might be also useful for  universities that would like to confirm students’ English language qualifications.

By using this service one can verify results for the following exams:

• Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
• First Certificate in English (FCE)
• Preliminary English Test (PET)
• Preliminary English Test for Schools
• Key English Test (KET)
• Key English Test for Schools
• International Legal English Certificate (ILEC)
• International Certificate in Financial English (ICFE)
• Business English Certificates (BEC)

For more detailed information please refer to the Results Verification Service Manual.