FCE Valentijn van Dijk
Everything you need to know
General Information
• The FCE is The First Certificate in English and is one of the most important exams from The
University of Cambridge.
• By passing the FCE exam, you have a B2 level of English
• A pass is an “A”, “B” or “C”. A fail is a “D” or “F”.
The Different Parts
• Reading & Use of English —> 75 minutes, 40% of mark
• Writing —> 80 minutes, 20% of mark
• Listening —> 40 minutes, 20% of mark
• Speaking —> 14 minutes, 20% of mark
Reading & Use of English
Reading & Use of English - General Information & Tips
• You will get 52 questions.
• Texts may be from newspapers and magazines, journals, books (fiction and non fiction),
promotional and informational material.
• You will get both multiple-choice and written questions.
• You will (probably) need to fill in your written questions in capitals.
• Remember, you will have 75 minutes and it will count for 40% of your final mark.
• The Reading & Use of English exam consists of 7 parts.
• Part 1 (Multiple-choice cloze) is a text with multiple-choice questions. In the text are gaps,
choose from A, B, C or D, they all have their own word. Choose the answer that fits the gap
best. There are 8 questions. It tests your vocabulary (idioms, collocations, phrasal verbs, fixed
phrases, shades of meaning, etc.). Tip: Read the title and text first, then answer the
questions.
• Part 2 (Open cloze) is a text in which there are gaps. Each gap represents a missing word. You
have to think of the correct word for each gap. There are 8 questions. It tests your grammar and
vocabulary. Tip: Read the title and text first, then answer the questions.
• Part 3 (Word formation) is a text containing gaps. Each gap represents a word. At the end of the
line is a word which you have to change in some way to complete the sentence correctly. There
, are 8 questions. It tests your vocabulary. Tip: Read the title and text first, then answer
questions.
• Part 4 (Key word transformation) are questions that each consists of a sentence followed by a
“key” word and a second sentence with a gap in the middle. You have to complete the second
sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. You must use between 2 and 5
words, no more. There are 6 questions. It tests your grammar and vocabulary. Tip: Don’t forget
to use the “key” word, and do not(!) change the “key” word!!
• Part 5 (Multiple choice) is a text with some multiple-choice questions. Choose from A, B, C or
D. There are 6 questions. It tests your reading for detail, opinion, tone, purpose, main idea,
implication and attitude. Tip: Read the text first, then answer the questions.
• Part 6 (Gapped text) is a text with some numbered gaps which represent missing sentences.
You have to decide which sentence fits in each gap best. There are 6 questions. It tests your
understanding of the structure and development of a text. Tip: Read the whole text first
before you read the questions.
• Part 7 (Multiple matching) is a series of statements followed by a text that is divided into
sections or short texts. You have to match each statement to the section or text in which you
can find the information. There are 10 questions. It tests your reading for specific information,
detail, opinion and attitude. Tip: Read the questions quickly first, then the text.
Typical Reading & Use
of English exercises
• This exercise is a typical FCE question. You will need to look at the text
and choose which sentences fits in each gap best.
• This exercise is a typical FCE question. You get the first part of a word
and you have to complete the rest, depending on the sentence.
