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First Certificate in English (FCE)

Level	B2; IHWO Level 6; Upper Intermediate
Exam Board	Cambridge ESOL
Exam dates	March, June and December each year
Website	http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/general-english/fce.html

Description

The First Certificate in English (FCE) exam is for people who can use everyday written and spoken English at an upper-intermediate level.

It is an ideal exam for people who want to use English for work or study purposes and is recognised around the world by thousands of employers, universities and government departments. It is developed and run by Cambridge ESOL in March, June and December each year.

FCE consists of five papers testing the four skills of Reading (1 hour), Writing (1 hour 20mins), Listening (40mins) and Speaking (14mins) as well as a Use of English paper (45mins) which tests knowledge of the vocabulary and grammar of the language.

The exam is designed for candidates who are at the B2 level of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, equivalent to IHWO level 6.

This means that if you pass FCE, your level of English is good enough to be of practical use in many types of job where you will be in contact with English speakers. It also helps to prepare you to take Cambridge exams at a higher level such as CAE and CPE.

Around 1.75 million people in over 135 countries take Cambridge ESOL exams each year. For more information about the FCE exam go to the Cambridge ESOL website at http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/general-english/fce.html.