FCE Exam Summary

Summary of Exam Content

FIRST CERTIFICATE

The Reading Exam

One hour long

30 questions in total

3 partsEach text is 550 to 700 words long 2000 words to read in total

Types of Texts

Part 1 - multiple choice8 questions2 marks each

Part 2 - gapped text7 questions2 marks each

Part 3 - multiple matching15 questions1 mark each

The Writing Exam

One hour and 20 minutes long

Two parts

Question TypesPart 1CompulsoryLetter or email

Part 2 7 types of writingchoice of 4 in the exam

Letter Report

Article

Review

Essay

120-150 Words

120-180 Words

story

email

Both parts have equal marks

Use of English

45 minutes long42 questions

4 parts

Question Types

Part 1 - Multiple Choice Cloze12 questionsVocabulary and Grammar1 mark each

Part 2 - Open Cloze12 questionsVocabulary and Grammar1 mark each

Part 3 - Word Formation10 questionsVocabulary1 mark each

Part 4 - Key Word Transformations8 questionsGrammar and Vocabulary

Up to 2 marks each

The Listening Exam

40 minutes long

30 questions in total

4 parts

Question Types

Part 1 - Multiple Choice8 questions1 mark each

Part 2 - Sentence Completion10 questions1 mark each

Part 3 - Multiple Matching5 questions1 mark each

Part 4 - Multiple Choice7 questions1 mark each

The Speaking Exam

14 minutes long

Two or three candidates

4 parts

Two examinersOnly one speaks

Tasks 1 and 2Part 1 - Conversation between Interlocutor

and each candidateGeneral social interaction (personal information)3 minutes

Part 2 - Long turnCompare two picturesComparing, describing, giving opinion1 minute Partner gives 20 second response

Tasks 3 and 4

Part 3 - Two way conversation between candidatesDecision making task with picturesListening and respondingAgreeing and disagreeingSuggesting and speculating3 minutes

Part 4 - Discussion relating to topic in part 3Interlocutor asks further questionsListen to partner and respond to ideas4 minutes

For your time

That’s all for now!