CAMBRIDGE
Exams for Young Students
There are three exam levels: Starters, Movers & Flyers
The highest of the three levels (Flyers) corresponds to level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference, which is roughly equivalent to the Key English Test (KET).
The Starters and Movers levels correspond to level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference. The exams cover the four language skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing – with an emphasis on speaking and listening.
The exams consist of three sections at each level:
Oral Comprehension – multiple-choice test in which children listen to short recorded texts and complete certain exercises to demonstrate their level of comprehension.
Written Comprehension and Production – a 'pencil and paper' test in which children demonstrate their ability to read and write simple English.
Speaking Production – a short interview lasting between 5 and 9 minutes with a speaking examiner who is specifically trained to conduct these tests. Examiners are supervised by Cambridge ESOL to ensure that the same testing and marking standards are applied worldwide.
General English Exams
KET & KET For Schools
The KET exam recognizes the candidate's ability to use basic English at an everyday level in both written and spoken language.
The KET for Schools follows the same examination pattern and corresponds to the exact same level of language proficiency as the KET (A2) exam. The difference in subject matter and content, however, in terms of examination modules, makes it an ideal choice for school-age students…
- Understand and use basic phrases and expressions of everyday language.
- Can introduce themselves and answer basic questions about themselves.
- Converse with native English speakers who speak slowly and clearly.
The KET & KET for Schools exams consist of 3 sections: Reading/Writing, Listening and Speaking:
Reading/Writing (Understanding and Production of Written Speech):
1 hour and 10 minutes.
In this section, the candidate should be able to understand simple texts such as signs, brochures, newspapers, and magazines. They must also fill in blanks in simple sentences and write a short text of about 25 words.
Listening (Understanding of Spoken Language):
30 minutes.
In this section, the candidate should demonstrate their ability to understand recorded material such as announcements and monologues read at a normal pace.
Speaking (Production of Spoken Language):
Up to 10 minutes.
In this section, the candidate should participate in a discussion by answering and asking simple questions. The oral exams are usually conducted in pairs.
The PET exam recognizes the candidate's ability to handle the English language in everyday written and oral communication using an intermediate level of English.
PET & PET For Schools
PET for Schools follows the same exam pattern and corresponds to the same language proficiency level as the PET (B1) exam. The difference in subject matter and content, however, in terms of exam modules, makes it an ideal choice for school-age students. PET & PET for Schools are placed at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) – an internationally recognized framework developed with the input of Cambridge ESOL. This framework uses six levels from A1 to C2 to describe language proficiency.
- Understand the main meaning of simple instructions or public announcements.
- Participate actively in the lesson and understand the teachers’ instructions.
- Ask simple questions and be able to participate in school discussions inside and outside the classroom.
- Describe events such as school trips in writing.
Reading/Writing (Understanding and Production of Written Speech):
1 hour and 30 minutes.
In this section, the candidate should be able to read and understand informational texts from signs, brochures, newspapers, and magazines. They should also be able to handle unfamiliar words and structures using a strategy in a variety of exercises, including writing a short message, essay, or letter of about 100 words.
Listening (Understanding of Spoken Language):
30 minutes.
In this section, the candidate should demonstrate their ability to understand recorded material such as announcements and dialogues on everyday topics. They should be able to comprehend the information provided and evaluate the speakers’ attitudes and intentions.
Speaking (Production of Spoken Language):
Up to 12 minutes.
In this section, the candidate should participate in a discussion by asking and answering simple questions, developing topics related to their likes and dislikes. Oral exams are usually conducted in pairs or in groups of three candidates.
FCE (First Certificate in English)
The FCE is an upper-intermediate level exam. It is aimed at those who intend to use English for professional or academic purposes.
The FCE is at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) – an internationally recognised framework developed with input from Cambridge ESOL. This framework uses six levels from A1 to C2 to describe language ability. Language Proficiency Profiles have been used to describe these levels on a realistic basis.
- Understand the main meaning of complex texts.
- Participate in discussions on a range of topics, express their opinions and present arguments.
- Write clear and analytical texts expressing opinions and explaining their advantages and disadvantages.
The FCE exams consist of 3 sections: Reading/Writing, Listening and Speaking:
Listening, Speaking, Reading (Understanding of Written Speech):
1 hour.
In this section, the candidate should be able to read and understand informational texts from novels and other books, diaries, newspapers, and magazines.
Writing (Production of Written Language):
1 hour and 20 minutes.
In this section, the candidate should be able to compose a number of different texts such as short stories, letters, articles, reports, or essays ranging from approximately 120–180 words.
Use of English: 45 minutes
In this section, the candidate will be tested on exercises that assess their ability in grammar and vocabulary.
Speaking (Production of Spoken Language):
14 minutes
In this section, the candidate must demonstrate that they can understand the meaning of a wide range of spoken material, including lectures, news programs, and public announcements.
CPE Sections
The CPE exam consists of five sections - Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening, Speaking.
Reading (Written Comprehension): 1 hour and 30 minutes
In this section the candidate should be able to read and understand informational texts at the level of individual words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs and entire texts.
CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)
The CAE exam is an advanced level exam. It is aimed at those who intend to use English more socially and professionally.
The CAE is classified at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) – an internationally recognised framework developed with the input of Cambridge ESOL. This framework uses six levels from A1 to C2 to describe language ability. Language Proficiency Profiles have been used to describe these levels on a realistic basis.
At level C1 the average English user is able to:
– Reads quickly enough to meet the demands of university studies.
– Understands complex opinions.
– Produces clear, detailed and well-structured texts.
– Expresses himself with a good level of fluency.
– Uses English flexibly for social, professional and academic purposes.
CAE sections
The CAE exam consists of five sections – Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening, Speaking:
Reading (Written Comprehension): 1 hour and 15 minutes
In this section the candidate should be able to understand informational texts from novels and other books, diaries, newspapers and magazines.
Writing (Written Speech Production): 1 hour and 30 minutes
In this section, you should be able to manage information from various sources to compose a number of different texts such as short stories, letters, articles, reports or reports for many different recipients, ranging around 250 words.
Use of English 1 hour and 30 minutes
In this section the candidate will be tested on exercises that assess his ability to use grammar and vocabulary.
Listening (Speaking comprehension): 45 minutes
In this section, you must show that you can understand the meaning of a wider range of spoken material including lectures, news programs and public announcements.
Speaking: 15 minutes
This section will assess your ability to communicate orally in English in a range of situations in three different ways: with the examiner, with other candidates and on your own. The oral test is usually given in pairs.
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English)
The CPE exam is the most advanced level exam offered by Cambridge ESOL. It is aimed at those who wish to use English successfully and effectively in professional or academic settings.
The CPE is ranked at level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) – an internationally recognised framework developed with input from Cambridge ESOL. This framework uses six levels from A1 to C2 to describe language ability. Language Proficiency Profiles have been used to describe these levels on a realistic basis.
At level C2 the average English user is able to:
– Understand with ease almost anything they read or hear.
– Take accurate and complete notes during a presentation.
– Understand everyday expressions.
– Discuss complex or specific topics with confidence.
– Express themselves with fluency and precision.
Writing: 2 hours
In this section, they should be able to write a number of different texts such as short stories, letters, articles, reports or reports ranging around 300-350 words.
Use of English: 1 hour and 30 minutes
In this section, the candidate will be tested on exercises that assess his/her ability to use grammar and vocabulary and to write summaries.
Listening (Speaking Comprehension): 45 minutes
In this section the candidate must show that he/she can understand the meaning of a range of spoken material including lectures, news programmes and public announcements.
Speaking: 19 minutes
This section will assess the candidate's ability to converse in English in a range of communication situations in three different ways: with the examiner, with other candidates and alone. The oral examination is usually given in pairs.
