FCE EXAM!!

FCE basic information

FCE stands for First Certificate in English, and it is also known as Cambridge English. It is an upper-intermediate international English language qualification, and it comes in two versions. These are the Cambridge English: First For adult learners and the Cambridge English: First for Schools. Both lead to the FCE and the only difference is that the Cambridge English: First for Schools is targeted school- aged learners. The FCE is used for immigration, study and work purposes. The FCE is in a five part format, those parts being reading, writing, use of English, listening and speaking and each part makes up 20 percent of the total mark. The FCE is considered to be a fairly difficult challenge to your English ability and is likely to require some serious preparation.

FCE tips for exam preparation

In preparing for the FCE exam, practice and study will have the biggest overall effect. As a first step determine the format of the FCE test preparation, and what will be expected on each portion of the exam. Doing this first will enable you to focus on those things that will be the biggest help to you. The Cambridge English Language Assessment website provides FCE exam tips and study guides to get you started. With the extent of material to be covered, making a study plan would help a great deal. Each of the five parts has its own areas that will need to be focused on, but there will be some overlap.

• Reading- Work on reading comprehension and reading skills like skimming
• Writing- Practice basic writing skills, descriptive writing, persuasive writing and comparison writing should be practiced amongst other forms
• Use of English-Vocabulary work words with similar meanings, collocations and linking phrases, grammar and word building
• Listening- Practice listening for general idea, attitude, opinion and agreement and specific information.
• Speaking-Practice given information about yourself and expressing your opinion about various topics. Also practice describing things and comparing things on your own, and expressing ideas and opinions in a group.

It would prove helpful to find a study partner or study group to practice with.

FCE exam tips

On test day try to come in well rested, and eat a good breakfast. While taking the Cambridge English exam there are some FCE tips you can use to help you perform better.

• Make sure you read every question carefully and that you understand it.
• Don’t spend too much time on any one part
• Make sure you address all points a question touches on
• Check tense endings, plural forms and word order in sentences
• Check your spelling
• Use a range of vocabulary

When you decide to take the FCE test, try and begin preparing as soon as possible, FCE tips can help to guide you, but there is no substitute for practice and study.