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FCE (CAMBRIDGE B2)
CPE (CAMBRIDGE C2)

Paper                              Time

Reading & Use of English      1 hour 15minutes

Part 1
A text in which there are some missing words or phrases (gaps). After the text there are four possible answers for each gap and candidates have to choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D).
Number of items: 8 Questions

Part 2
A text in which there are eight gaps. Candidates have to find the correct word for each gap.
Number of items: 8 Questions

Part 3
A text in which there are eight missing words. The stem of the missing word is given but must be changed to form the missing word and complete the sentence correctly.
Number of items: 8 Questions

Part 4
A task asking candidates to read six items consisting of a lead-in sentence and a gapped sentence. Candidates have to complete the gap with two to five words guided by a given 'key word'.
Number of items: 6 Questions

Part 5
A text followed by six multiple-choice questions. Each question has four options (A, B, C or D), and candidates have to decide which is the correct answer.
Number of items: 6 Questions

Part 6
A text with six empty spaces (gaps). After the text there are some sentences in jumbled order that have been removed from the text. Candidates have to choose the correct sentence for each gap.
Number of items: 6 Questions

Part 7
Multiple matching questions followed by a single text or several shorter texts. Candidates have to match a given prompt to certain elements of the text(s).
Number of items: 10 Questions

Part 8
Multiple matching questions followed by a single text or several shorter texts. Candidates have to match a given prompt to certain elements of the text(s).
Number of items: 10 Questions

Part 9
Multiple matching questions followed by a single text or several shorter texts. Candidates have to match a given prompt to certain elements of the text(s).
Number of items: 10 Questions


Paper                   Time

Writing                         1 hour 20 minutes

Candidates are presented with a short text of up to 160 words and have to write a related essay using ideas from this material. The essay is on a subject of general interest and candidates are expected to express their opinion and support it with reasons.
Number of items: 140–190 words

Candidates are presented with a situation and are asked to select a related task from a choice of three. They are asked to write one of the following: an article, a formal email, a letter, a report or a review.
Number of items: 140–190 words


Paper                   Time

Listening                     about 40 minutes


Part 1
A series of short, unrelated extracts of approximately 30 seconds each. Candidates have to listen to the extracts and answer one multiple-choice question for each. Each question has three options (A, B or C).
Number of Items: 8 Questions


Part 2
A monologue lasting approximately 3-4 minutes. Candidates have to complete the sentences on the question paper with information they hear on the recording.
Number of Items: 10 Questions


Part 3
Candidates listen to five short related monologues of approximately 30 seconds each. They have to choose which statement from a list of eight best matches what each speaker says.
Number of Items: 5 Questions


Part 4
Candidates listen to an interview or an exchange between two speakers and answer seven multiple-choice questions. Each question has three options (A, B or C). The extract lasts approximately 3-4 minutes.
Number of Items: 7 Questions



Paper                 Time
Speaking                   14 minutes per pair of candidates


Part 1
A brief conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate (all questions are spoken).


Part 2
An individual long turn for each candidate followed by a brief response from the second candidate. In turn, both candidates are given a set of two photographs to talk about.


Part 3
A two-way conversation between the candidates who are given spoken instructions with written prompts to be used in a


Part 4
A discussion on a few topics related to the above collaborative task.