FORMAT OF FCEfs (Cambridge University- Level B2)

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). 8 questions

Part 2

A text in which there are eight gaps. Candidates have to find the correct word for each gap. 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. 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'. 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. 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. 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). 10 questions
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. 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. 140–190 words

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). 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. 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. 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. 7 questions
Speaking 14 minutes per pair of candidates Part 1
A brief conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate (all questions are spoken). 4 parts
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 discussion. The discussion involves a decision-making task.
Part 4

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