Have you ever wondered how to assess your language skills at an international level? Do you aspire to obtain a certificate confirming your knowledge of the English language? If so, the FCE (First Certificate in English) exam may be the perfect solution for you. In this article, we will discuss what the FCE exam is, what it entails, its purpose, and its structure.
What is the FCE exam? Take your first certification exam with online courses at a language school!
What is the FCE exam? Online language school courses preparing for language certification The FCE exam assesses four fundamental language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. During the test, participants must demonstrate their comprehension of written texts, their ability to produce written responses, their understanding of spoken language, and their ability to communicate fluently in speech.
What does the writing section of the FCE language exam look like?
Reading Section:
Duration: 75 minutes. It consists of three or four written texts, such as articles, advertisements, letters, or book excerpts. Participants must answer questions, fill in gaps in sentences, choose correct answers, or match questions to appropriate parts of the text. Tasks include various types of texts, such as narratives, descriptions, discussions, or reports.
Writing Section:
Duration: 80 minutes. It consists of two written tasks. The first task involves writing a letter, email, review, or article according to given instructions. The second task requires writing an essay response on a topic related to personal experience, social events, or global issues.
Listening Section:
Duration: 40 minutes. It consists of several audio recordings, such as interviews, conversations, monologues, or short recordings. Participants must answer questions, fill in gaps in sentences, choose correct answers, or match questions to appropriate parts of the recordings. The recordings include various speaking styles, accents, speeds, and topics to test listening comprehension.
Speaking Section:
Duration: 14 minutes (for two participants). It consists of three parts. The first part is a short conversation with the examiner about general personal information and interests. The second part is a task where participants are given a picture and need to describe it and answer the examiner’s questions. The third part is a discussion with the other participant on a given topic, where arguments need to be presented and negotiation takes place.
Use of English Section:
Duration: 45 minutes. It consists of various tasks that assess grammatical and lexical skills. Tasks include filling in gaps in sentences, transforming expressions, matching synonyms, completing tables.
If you want to fully understand the exam before taking it, be sure to choose one of the solutions!
What benefits will you gain from taking the B2 FCE (First Certificate in English) certification exam?
Confidence and confirmation of skills: The FCE exam is widely recognized as a reliable confirmation of advanced language skills in English. Having this certificate provides confidence to both yourself and others that you possess solid communication skills in English.
Study abroad: Many universities and higher education institutions worldwide require their students to have an FCE certificate as proof of their language proficiency. Having this certificate can increase your chances of being accepted into your dream international university and enable you to study in an international academic environment.
Employment: Having an FCE certificate can improve your job prospects, especially in industries related to tourism, hospitality, international trade, or customer service. Many employers value candidates who have certified advanced language skills, which can contribute to greater competitiveness in the job market.
Personal development: Preparing for the FCE exam requires systematic learning, developing all language skills, and acquiring knowledge in various areas. The preparation process can enhance your analytical skills, concentration, time management, and self-discipline. It is also an excellent opportunity to explore different topics and expand your general knowledge.
Intercultural communication: Having an FCE certificate opens doors to a wider range of intercultural communication. English is an international language that allows communication with people from different countries and cultures. By having FCE, you increase your chances of participating in international exchange programs, traveling, and working abroad.