A WELCOME TO FCE GUIDE AND TIPS

Welcome to the FCE Guide and Tips for candidates and teachers

The new University of Cambridge ESOL First Certificate in English (FCE or FIRST) Exam consists of five individual papers, which are usually sat on two different days - within a two-weeks period from the commencement of the oral exam beginning.

Papers 1, 2, 3 and 4 are normally taken on the same day. Paper 5, the Speaking test is usually 2 weeks beforehand. The exam days may vary, depending on authorised testing centre and its facilities.

Good success in each paper can depend on how well you prepare beforehand for it and how well you utilize your time in each part of the exam.

Today it is very much a stress test of how you respond, in a given time, to each and every task in each individual paper.

The following tips and guides are intended to help you pass the whole test.  

This guide is for both teachers and candidates alike.

Good luck to all!

The FIRST Guru

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QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE FCE EXAM

FCE Exam Papers and Points:

Paper 1 has 3 parts to complete:    – 40 points in total

Paper 2 has 2 parts to complete:    – 40 points in total

Paper 3 has 4 parts to complete:    – 40 points in total

Paper 4 has 4 parts to complete:    – 40 points in total

Paper 5 has 4 parts to complete:    – 40 points in total

Total points for all 5 Papers:         = 2oo points ÷ 2 = 100%

FCE quick overview for teachers and candidates:

PAPER 1: Reading - 1 hour

Part 1 - Multiple-Choice  -  15 minutes

Eliminate the three which are incorrect

Part 2 - Gapped Text-sentences  -  15 minutes

Eliminate the one which is incorrect

Part 3 - Multiple Matching  -  20 minutes

Choose the one(s) which correspond

5 minutes from end, transfer your answers - Pencil

PAPER 2: Writing - 1 hour 20 minutes

Part 1- 35 minutes

Compulsory question:  150 words max

Formal Letter/email - Transactional

Informal Letter/email - Transactional

- Letter/email to a penfriend/friend

- Letter/email of application - Editor/Manager

- Letter/email of complaint - Editor/Manager

Part 2 - 35 minutes

4 Choice questions:  180 words max

Letter/Email non-transactional

Article

Discursive Composition

Report

Review

Essay

Letter/email of application (Job/Volunteer)

Set Books:
2011 (Article, Composition, Letter, Report, Review)

-William Shakespeare: Macbeth (Heinle, Cengage Learning, The Graphic Novel edition)
-Joe Simpson: Touching the Void (Macmillan or any edition)
2012 (Article, Composition, Letter, Report, Review)
- William Thackeray: Vanity Fair (Black Cat or any edition)
- Mary Stewart: This Rough Magic (OUP)

Pen only - No Tipp-Ex

PAPER 3: Use of English - 45 minutes

Part 1 - Multiple-Choice Lexical Cloze  -  8 minutes
Eliminate the three which are incorrect

Part 2 - Open-Cloze  -  8 minutes
Fill the gap with an appropriate word

Part 3 - Word Formation  -  10 minutes
Use the base word to create the appropriate word form required

Part 4 - Key Word Transformation  -  13 minutes
Use the word given (do not change it) to complete the sentence (with not less than 2 words and not more than 5 words) so the sentence has the exact same meaning as the first sentence.

5 minutes from end, transfer your answers - Pencil

PAPER 4: Listening - 40 minutes
Instructions to test are given at the start of the test.

Part 1 - Multiple-Choice  -  12 minutes
8 short unrelated extracts.
Eliminate the three which are incorrect.
No time is given to review questions in Part 1 so the idea is to ignore the first part of the instructions and go direct to the questions once Part 1 begins.

Part 2 - Sentence Completion  -  8 minutes
Fill the gap with an appropriate word or words to complete each gap (not less than 1 word and not more than 3-4 words)
45 seconds to look at questions to Part 2

Part 3 - Multiple Matching  -  8 minutes
Choose the one(s) which correspond
5 short related extracts
6 answers
Eliminate the one which is obsolete
30 seconds to look at questions to Part 3

Part 4 - Multiple-Choice  -  12 minutes
Eliminate the two which are incorrect
1 long extract
1 minute to look at questions to Part 4

5 additional minutes at end to transfer your answers - Pencil

PAPER 5: Speaking

Part 1 – Interview  - 3 minute
Personal information interacting with examiner (candidates may interact with each other if they wish) - 3 minutes

Part 2 - Individual Long Turn - 4 minutes
Candidate 1: Speak individually without interruption comparing two photographs. Answer the questions above the photographs - 1 minute
Candidate 2: Respond to a question giving your opinion on your partner’s photographs - 20 seconds

Part 3 - Two-way Collaborative Task - 3 minutes
Answer the questions above the photographs. Talk together without interruption and work toward making a decision based on 5 to 8 different visual (connected or unconnected) stimuli.

Part 4 - Three-way discussion - 4 minutes
Speak together (all 3 of you – examiner included) for 4 minutes about a question or questions (cues) giving your opinion about a related subject connected, directly or indirectly, to the visual stimuli from Part 3. Express and justify opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing.

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I hope you find this FCE blog useful.

Good luck to all!

The FIRST Guru

Last updated: 2/3/2012

PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 4 - Three-way discussion - Tips

PAPER 5: SPEAKING (14 MINUTES) 4 parts in total to speak on – 40 points in total

PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 4 - Three-way discussion - Tips to remember while in the exam

Part 4: THREE-WAY DISCUSSION - 4 minutes

Tips to remember while in the exam

NB: This part is a run on from Part 3. It may be related directly, or indirectly, to Part 3. It is a three-way task: the examiner and two/three candidates. Candidates may speak together and the examiner interrupts/joins in whenever.

- You can be asked to talk amongst yourselves, giving your opinions about a subject related to the photos in Part 3.

- Express and justify opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing. 

- General conversation using set questions (cues) from the examiner.

- How you develop your arguments and responses will determine if the examiner interjects or redirects the conversation.

- There may be four or five set questions that the examiner can use with both of you as follow-up questions (cues), just to see how you handle a so-called “out-of-the-blue” question.

- Four or five questions will be plenty enough even if you should give shortish answers.

- Keep the communication going between you and your partner(s). In this way you are taking control and not the examiner.

- The more you all speak together (you, your partner{s} along with the examiner) and answer the question, the fewer throw-in questions will appear. This is your time to bloom in English so have fun and be natural!

- If you both stall, the examiner will throw in more questions (cues) to get things rolling again. Try to avoid this wherever possible!

- Basically how you interact with the other candidate(s) and/or the examiner with the follow-on questions (cues) will determine just how much an independent user of English you really are at this B2 level.

- Answer all the examiner’s questions in full.
- Here is your opportunity to demonstrate that you are capable of interacting with your partner(s) and the examiner.

At the end of the test:

- When the examiner has finished asking the required number of questions in Part 4 or the time has come to a satisfactory end, the examiner will then bring to an end the test.

- Once you have been finished the speaking test, the examiner will tell you both:

            “That is the end of the test. Well done both/all of you. Thank you!”

- Once this happens, you should follow the examiners lead and exchange farewells.

- Thank them for their time and say goodbye.

- Leave the room quietly.

- No talking or muttering to each other until you’re well outside the testing area.

PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 4 - Three-way Discussion - Preparation

PAPER 5: SPEAKING (14 MINUTES) 4 parts in total to speak on – 40 points in total

PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 4 - Three-way Discussion - Preparation for the exam

Preparation for the exam

Part 4: THREE-WAY DISCUSSION - 4 minutes

- You will need to give some reaction on a variety of themes/social issues in this final area of the exam.

- This means you must be well prepared to talk about as many themes/issues on which you will be expected to express your own ideas and reactions.

- This means you must be well prepared to talk about as many themes/issues on which you will be expected to express your own ideas and reactions. It is not about agreeing with your partner.  

- It is about demonstrating that you are an independent speaker at this level.

- It is about you and how you develop your ideas based on the examiner’s follow-up questions stemming from Part 3.

- Learns to talk about yourself, your hobbies, studies, family, etc. (see list below), without errors.

- This will make a lasting impression.

- This is where you demonstrate your speaking ability as an independent user at this level.

- Having pre-prepared an oral presentation on many similar themes is essential now when giving you opinion and expressing your ideas touching on as many areas as possible.  

E.g. Personal information, My family, Friends and Relationships, Daily activities, Food and Drink (favourite type to cook and how to make it), Sports (types / equipment / locations / players / etc.), Favourite day of the week, Free time activities (hobbies and interests), Listening to English music/the radio in English, Reading books in English, Your Home (items and locations around the house), Where you live (what you like about living in your neighbourhood!), Places of interest in your home town/city (art galleries / museums / exhibitions / fairs / festivals / etc.), Town and Country (pros and cons of living in each place), Possessions (watch / glasses / hand bag / etc.), Science, Technology and Gadgets (video games / mobile phones / etc.), Material World (house / car / holidays / etc.), Describing things (objects and their usefulness) (what is worn – clothes / what they do – actions), Describing people (what they wear – clothes / what they do – actions), Working and Professions, The world of work, Money (how to spend it and how to save it), Education (learning languages), Past experience and stories, The News (current events), Travel and Tourism (travelling abroad), Consumer society (sustainability and recycling), Health and Fitness (types of activities and frequency), Social issues (education / poverty / transport / anorexia-obesity / etc.), Environmental issues (rainforest / wildlife / etc.).

- When the examiner has finished asking the required number of questions and the time has come to a satisfactory end, the examiner will indicate by saying, “That is the end of the test. Well done both/all of you.” Once this happens, you should thank the examiners and bid them farewell. Then leave the room quietly. No talking or muttering to each other until you’re well outside the exam room.

PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 3 - Two-way Collaborative Task - Tips

PAPER 5: SPEAKING (14 MINUTES) 4 parts in total to speak on – 40 points in total

PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 3 - Two-way Collaborative Task - Specific tips to remember while in the exam

Part 3: COLLABORATIVE TWO-WAY TASK - 3 minutes

Tips to remember while in the exam

NB: If you have registered with an examination centre, ask them to put you in contact with another candidate (to give you time and practice speaking and getting to know and be comfortable with them before the test begins) who may do the oral test with you.

- You must work with and cooperate with the other candidate(s).

- Speak to your partner(s) only.
- Do not look, or speak, to the examiner.
- You both have to work together to answer the questions and come to a firm agreement asked of you both.
- You are expected to show that you can work together easily and come to an amicable agreement.
- This part of the exam takes a lot of training and rehearsal, as you have to cooperate and get to the finish in time.

Here is a good tip for this part of the exam:

1. One partner focuses on making sure that as many photos are discussed and that each of you talk about each photo: 4 out of 5 or 5 out of 8. (2 to 2.5 minutes).

   -- Take turns to talk about each photo.
   -- Take up to 15 seconds to talk about each photo. No more!
   -- Directing the examiner so as to be able to identify which photo/part you are referring to.
   -- Use the following examples:

                In the top left-hand corner, I can see...
                In the middle/centre of the picture, I can see... 
                There is a woman/man, girl/boy, family/group, playing in the picture...
                I can see a woman...

    -- Use of present continuous tense: Actions and clothing:

               The woman is running. She is wearing a blue leather jacket.

2. The other partner(s) make(s) sure that a decision or agreement of the two choices is obtained by both of you, and agreement is seen to be reached within the 3-minute time frame. (1 to 1.5 minutes) Do not introduce any new arguments.

   -- In concluding, make sure to include the related question asked of you when introducing the decision making process.
   -- The idea is to conclude the two-way task in agreement with your partner(s).
   -- Make sure that both of you are seen to agree within the time limit. Failure to do so will be penalized heavily.- Make certain that you fully appreciate the task involved (the questions are above the pictures), and work with your partner(s) to try to complete it as best you can.

NB: Some exam videos state that it is not necessary to finish completely the task set out in this part. I would say that it is always better to complete the task where possible! Why else would Cambridge set the task this way then?

PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 2 - Individual Long Turn - Tips

PAPER 5: SPEAKING (14 MINUTES) 4 parts in total to speak on – 40 points in total

PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 2 - Individual Long Turn - Tips to remember while in the exam

Part 2: INDIVIDUAL LONG TURN – PICTURES - 4 minutes

Tips to remember while in the exam

- You speak for one minute only on two similar/different pictures.

- Pick up any FCE book or glossy magazine and try it with them.

- Pick out three (3) things you notice about the differences/comparisons in each of the pictures.

- Try to get your expression and detail down to one minute.

- Practise speaking about two pictures as many times as possible with your partner before the exam.

- The instructions always have two parts for you to respond to.

- Pay attention to each part of the instructions.

- You have to compare two photos (1 minute) and give your (personal) reaction (listen to the second part of the instruction) to the two photos you are given.

- It is very important to understand and answer the second part of the instruction in this part.

- Ask for the question to be repeated if do not understand the question/instruction. 

- Refer to the question which will be printed above the photos, should all else fail.

-  You must answer both parts successfully.

- If the examiner says to you, “...And?” with a funny look, it means you have not answered both questions completely! So jump in and finish off your answer quickly.

- Just focus on comparing the photos and answering the printed question as best as you can.

- Don’t worry if the examiner interrupts/stops you after about a minute. Don’t panic/worry! This is not negative. The examiner is just following his/her instructions as per the exam criteria.

- The examiner must stop you speaking after about a minute.

- When your partner is answering this part, pay attention to what your partner says about their pictures.

- You are given an opportunity to look at your partner’s photos too.

- They will be face down on the table and easy for both of you to see them.

- Take a good look at them and note any distinct differences that appear in them.

- Quickly think about what your partner has been asked.

- Listen to your partner speak about his/her pictures.

- Don’t make any comment until you are directly asked by the examiner to do so.

- You will then be asked to respond to a question related to the other candidate’s pictures (20 seconds response to this question.)

- Respond as fully as possible to his/her question.

- You may ask for the question to be repeated.

- It is not a mere yes/no response required of you.

- You must try to elaborate as much as possible for the 20 seconds you are given.

- The examiner will indicate for you to stop.

PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 1 - Interview - Tips

PAPER 5: SPEAKING (14 MINUTES) 4 parts in total to speak on - 40 points in total

PAPER 5 Part 1

PAPER 5 SPEAKING Part 1 Interview Tips to use in the FCE exam

Part 1 INTERVIEW CONVERSATION ICE-BREAKER 3 minutes

Interview Questions to Practice for Part 1:

Tips to remember while in the exam

- Welcome to the shortest, yet most difficult, part of the FCE exam.
- In this first part of the exam you will be asked to give/answer some basic personal information about yourself.
- You must be well prepared to answer or give as much detail as possible.
- Learns to talk about yourself, family, your studies, your work, your hobbies, etc., without any grammatical or pronunciation mistakes, blunders, or booboos.
- This is your opportunity to give a good first impression to the examiners.
- Preparing an oral presentation on your past, present and future is essential so you are able to express ideas about yourself in as many areas as possible.
- Here are some good ideas to start with:

E.g. Personal information, My family, Friends and Relationships, Daily activities, Food and Drink (favourite type to cook and how to make it), Sports (types / equipment / locations / players / etc.), Favourite day of the week, Free time activities (hobbies and interests), Listening to English music/the radio in English, Reading books in English, Your Home (items and locations around the house), Where you live (what you like about living in your neighbourhood!), Places of interest in your home town/city (art galleries / museums / exhibitions / fairs / festivals / etc.), Town and Country (pros and cons of living in each place), Possessions (watch / glasses / hand bag / etc.), Science, Technology and Gadgets (video games / mobile phones / etc.), Material World (house / car / holidays / etc.), Describing things (objects and their usefulness) (what is worn – clothes / what they do – actions), Describing people (what they wear – clothes / what they do – actions), Working and Professions, The world of work, Money (how to spend it and how to save it), Education (learning languages), Past experience and stories, The News (current events), Travel and Tourism (travelling abroad), Consumer society (sustainability and recycling), Health and Fitness (types of activities and frequency), Social issues (education / poverty / transport / etc.), Environmental issues (rainforest/wildlife/etc.).

Types of interview questions to prepare for in Part 1 in the exam:

Your home town

-  Are there many parks or play areas in your neighbourhood? (close to you; far away from you)

-  Are there many things to do? (museums, parks, libraries, markets)

-  Do you like living in your town/city? (Why? Why not?)

-  Do you live in a town/village/city centre/suburb/in the countryside?

-  Does it have a major river?

-  Is it a clean or polluted town/city? (factory, chemical, industrial waste)

-  Is it a large or small town?

-  Is it in a flat, hilly or mountainous area/region?

-  Is it inland or by the coast?

-  Is it near a major city / a capital city?

-  Is it quiet or noisy town/city? (traffic, airport, trains, busses, lorries)

-  Is your town well-known for something/someone (for example, a building or a type of food, a rock star/film star)?

-  What are the main industries there? (factories, offices, chemical, industrial)

-  What is its population?

-  What is the most interesting part of your town/city? (museums, parks, libraries, markets)

-  What is the name of your home town/city?

-  What kinds of jobs do people do in your town/city?

-  What, for you, is the main difference between living in a city or living in the countryside?

-  Where is your favourite place in the town/city? (i.e. museums, parks, libraries, markets)

-  Where is your town located?

Your family
-  Are they older/younger than you?

-  Do you come from a large or small family?

-  Do you have a large or small family?

-  Do you have any brothers or sisters?

-  Do you have any pets?

-  Do you live on your own?

-  Do you live with your parents?

-  What do they do?

Your work/study

-  Are you studying or working at the moment?

-  Can you tell me something about your studies/job?

-  Can you tell me something about yourself?

-  How important is English for your studies/job? (Why?)
-  What do you like about English?

-  How long have you been studying English? (Why?)

-  What were you doing before you started your studies or current work?

-  Where are you studying? (Why?)

-  Why are you studying English?

Your leisure time

-  Do you enjoy reading? (Why? Why not?)

-  Do you have any hobbies or interests? (Why? Why not?)

-  Do you like sports? (Why?)

-  How do you like to spend your holidays?

-  What do you like doing in your spare time / free time? (Why? Why not?)

-  What is your favourite film? (Why? Why not?)

-  What kind of books do you read? (Why? Why not?)

-  What kind of English music do you like? (Why? Why not?)

-  What kind of sports do you play? (Why? Why not?)

-  What sort of films do you like to go and see? (Why? Why not?)

-  Who is your favourite film star? (Why? Why not?)

Your future plans (and English)

-  Do you want to live in your own country or would you like to live abroad? (Why? Why not?)

-  How important is English for your future career? (Why?)

-  What do you plan to do in the future?

-  What do you think you will be doing in 5 or 10 years?

-  What sort of job would you like to do/have in the future? (Why?)