FCE content and overview

Part/timing Content Test focus

Part 1 A text preceded by multiple-matching questions. Candidates are expected to be able to read
1 Part 2 A text followed by four-option multiple-choice questions. semi-authentic texts of various kinds (informative
READING Part 3 A text from which paragraphs or sentences have been removed and placed in and general interest) and to show understanding
1 hour 15 mins jumbled order after the text. of gist, detail and text structure, and deduce
Part 4 A text preceded by multiple-matching questions. meaning.

Part 1 One compulsory question. Candidates are expected to be able to write

2 Part 2 Candidates answer one question from a choice of four questions non-specialised text types such as letter,
WRITING (including the set book option). articles, reports and compositions for a given
1 hour 30 mins purpose and target reader, covering a range
of topics.

Part 1 A modified cloze text containing 15 gaps. Candidates are expected to be able to
3 Part 2 A modified open cloze text containing 15 gaps. demonstrate their knowledge and control of the
USE OF Part 3 Discrete items with a lead-in sentence and a gapped response to complete language system by completing a number of
ENGLISH using a given word. tasks, some of which are based on specially
1 hour 15 mins Part 4 A text where some of the lines are correct and others contain an extra, written texts.
incorrect word which must be identified.
Part 5 A text containing 10 gaps. Each gap corresponds to a word that must be formed
from a given ‘stem’ word.

Part 1 A series of short unrelated extracts from monologues or exchanges between Candidates are provided with short extracts
4 interacting speakers, followed by three-option multiple-choice questions. and longer monologues, announcements,
LISTENING Part 2 Note taking, blank filling or sentence completion following a monologue or extracts from radio progrmmes, news features,
40 mins (approx) exchanges between interacting speakers. etc., at an intermediate level. They are expected
Part 3 A series of short related extracts from monologues, followed by multiple- to be able to show understanding of detail and
matching questions. gist, and to deduce meaning.
Part 4 A monologue or text involving interacting speakers, followed by different
answer types, e.g. true/false; yes/no; three-option multiple choice; which
speaker said what etc.

Part 1 The interlocutor asks candidates a series of questions about themselves. Candidates are expected to be able to respond
5 Part 2 Each candidate is given a one minute ‘long turn’ in which they compare and to questions and to interact in conversational
SPEAKING contrast two photographs. English.
14 mins Part 3 The candidates talk together, working towards a negotiated completion of
the task.
Part 4 The interlocutor leads a discussion with the two candidates.
 OBJECTIVE TEST: a test which can be scored by applying a mark
FCE Glossary scheme, without the need to bring expert opinion or
ANCHOR TEST: a test with known measurement characteristics, subjective judgement to the task.
which is administered in association with another test. OPENING AND CLOSING FORMULAE: the expressions, either formal
Performance on the anchor test provides information about or informal, that are usually used to open and close letters,
the other test and about the candidates who have taken both e.g. ‘Dear Maria … With best wishes from …’, or ‘Dear Mr Dakari
of them. … Yours sincerely …’.
ASSESSOR: the Speaking test examiner who assigns a score to a OPTIONS: the individual words in the set of possible answers for
candidate’s performance, using subjective judgement to do so. a multiple-choice item.
BASE WORD: the word at the end of each line in FCE Paper 3 Part 5, PARAPHRASE: to give the meaning of something using different
which is the basis for the word that has to be formed. words.
CLOSURE TECHNIQUES: techniques used to draw a conversation to a PHRASAL VERB: a verb which takes on a new meaning when
close, e.g. ‘That’s all’. followed by a certain preposition or adverb (e.g. ‘get away’,
CLOZE TEST: a type of gap-filling task in which whole words have ‘take up’).
been removed from a text and which candidates must replace. PRETESTING: a stage in the development of test materials at which
COHERENCE: language which is coherent is well planned and clear, items are tried out with representative samples from the
and all the parts or ideas fit well so that they form a united target population in order to determine their difficulty.
whole. PRODUCTIVE TASK: a task which provides candidates with a
COLLABORATIVE TASK: the opportunity in the Speaking test for the stimulus to which the response is a piece of written or spoken
candidates to engage in a discussion and work together language. As well as the Writing and Speaking tasks,
towards a negotiated outcome of the task set. productive tasks are found in FCE Paper 3, Parts 2, 3 and 5, and
CONTENT POINTS: the points contained in the notes on the text in Paper 4, Part 2.
the FCE Paper 2 Part 1 compulsory question, which must be PROMPT SENTENCE: the complete sentence given as the opening or
included in the candidate’s letter. closing line of a story in FCE Paper 2 Part 2.
CONVERSATIONAL FILLERS: a word or sound filling a pause in an REGISTER: the tone of a piece of writing. The register should be
utterance or conversation, e.g. ‘er’, ‘you know’. appropriate for the task and target reader, e.g. a letter of
DISCLOSURE: written or spoken communication. application is written in formal register.
DISTRACTOR: each incorrect option in a multiple-choice item. REPORT LAYOUT: the way in which a report should be presented.
GAP-FILLING ITEM: any type of item which requires the candidate At FCE level a report in Paper 2 Part 2 should be clearly
to insert some written material – letters, numbers, single organised into paragraphs/sections and may include headings.
words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs – into spaces in the RUBRICS: the instructions to an examination question which tell
text. The response may be supplied by the candidate or the candidate what to do when answering the question.
selected from a set of options. TARGET READER: the intended recipient of a piece of writing. It is
GIST: the central theme or meaning of the text. important to ensure that the effect of a written task on a
IMPEDING ERROR: an error which prevents the reader from target reader is a positive one.
understanding the word or phrase. TASK FULFILMENT: completing all elements of an FCE Paper 2 task
INPUT MATERIAL: the text and notes, sometimes supported by using a range of appropriate and accurate language.
illustrations or diagrams, which candidates have to base their TRANSACTIONAL LETTER: a letter written in response to a request for
answers on in the FCE Paper 2 Part 1 compulsory question. action or to initiate action, i.e. the letter will trigger some
INTERLOCUTOR: the Speaking test examiner who conducts the test outcome or result, usually in the form of further
and makes a global assessment of each candidate’s communication. A letter of complaint is transactional, a letter
performance. giving advice is not.
KEY: the correct answer to an item. TRIALLING: a stage in the development of test materials at which
KEY WORD: the word which must be used in the answer to an item tasks for the Writing or Speaking papers are tried out with
in FCE Paper 3 Part 3. representative samples of students to determine their
LONG TURN: the opportunity in the Speaking test for a candidate suitability as test materials and whether they work as
to talk uninterrupted for a period of time, enabling them to expected.
produce an extended piece of discourse.
LOZENGE: the space on the mark sheet which candidates must fill
in to indicate their answer to a multiple-choice question.
Acronyms
MULTIPLE-CHOICE: a task where candidates are given a set of
ALTE: The Association of Language Testers in Europe.
several possible answers of which only one is correct.
CEF: Common European Framework.
MULTIPLE MATCHING TASK: a task in which a number of questions or
EFL: English as a Foreign Language.
sentence completion items, generally based on a reading text,
ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages.
are set. The responses are provided in the form of a bank of
UCLES: University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate.
words or phrases, each of which can be used an unlimited
number of times.
NEUTRAL STYLE: a writing style, at FCE level appropriate for
compositions, with no specific features of formality or
informality.