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CEFR
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Cambridge English: First, also known as First Certificate in English Cambridge English
C2
First
(FCE), is at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of

Proficient user
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Reference for Languages (CEFR) published by the Council
of Europe.

Cambridge English: First is regulated by Ofqual, the statutory 200

regulatory authority for external qualifications in England
and its counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland; for more
information, see www.ofqual.gov.uk
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180

Independent user

B2
170

160

B1 150

Cambridge English
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Language Assessment
1 Hills Road cambridgeenglish.org/ /CambridgeEnglishTV

A2
Cambridge first
CB1 2EU 130
United Kingdom
Basic user

cambridgeenglish.org/helpdesk /CambridgeEnglish /CambridgeEng

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Cambridge English Language Assessment is part of the University of Cambridge. We develop and produce the most valuable range of
qualifications for learners and teachers of English in the world. Over 5 million people in 130 countries take our exams every year. Around

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the world over 20,000 universities, employers, government ministries and other organisations rely on our exams and qualifications as
proof of English language ability. Cambridge English exams are backed by the work of the largest dedicated research team of any English
language test provider.
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Cambridge English Language Assessment – a not-for-profit organisation.
All details are correct at the time of going to print in December 2016.
Handbook for teachers
100
for exams from 2016
Below

*4262699111*
© UCLES 2016 | CE/2388/6Y12

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 Exam content and overview

Paper/timing Test content Test focus

Part 1 A modified cloze test containing eight gaps followed by
eight multiple-choice questions.
Part 2 A modified cloze test containing eight gaps.
Part 3 A text containing eight gaps. Each gap corresponds to a
word. The stems of the missing words are given beside
the text and must be changed to form the missing word.
READING AND Part 4 Six separate questions, each with a lead-in sentence and
USE OF ENGLISH a gapped second sentence to be completed in two to
five words, one of which is a given ‘key’ word.
1 hr 15 mins
Part 5 A text followed by six 4-option multiple-choice
questions.
Candidates are expected to be able to:
demonstrate the ability to apply their
knowledge and control of the language
system by completing a number of tasks
at text and sentence level; demonstrate
a variety of reading skills including
understanding of specific information, text
organisation features, implication, attitude
and text structure.

Part 6 A text from which six sentences have been removed

and placed in jumbled order, together with an additional
sentence, after the text.

Part 7 A text or several short texts, preceded by 10 multiple-

matching questions.

Part 1 One compulsory question. Candidates are given input in the form of
an essay title to respond to, along with
accompanying notes to guide their writing.
WRITING
1 hr 20 mins Part 2 Candidates choose one task from a choice of three Candidates are expected to be able to
questions. write non-specialised text types such as an
article, an informal letter or email, a review
or a report.

Part 1 A series of eight short, unrelated extracts from Candidates are expected to be able to show
monologues or exchanges between interacting speakers. understanding of feeling, attitude, detail,
There is one multiple-choice question per extract. opinion, purpose, agreement, gist, function,
topic, specific information, etc.
Part 2 A monologue with a sentence-completion task which
LISTENING has 10 questions.
Approx. 40 mins
Part 3 Five short, related monologues, with five multiple-
matching questions. There are three distractors.

Part 4 An interview or an exchange between two speakers with

seven multiple-choice questions.

Part 1 A conversation between the interlocutor and each Candidates are expected to be able to
candidate (spoken questions). respond to questions and to interact in
conversational English.
Part 2 An individual ‘long turn’ for each candidate, followed
by a response from the second candidate (visual and
SPEAKING written stimuli with spoken instructions).
14 mins
Part 3 A two-way conversation between the candidates
(written stimuli, with spoken instructions).

Part 4 A discussion on topics related to Part 3 (spoken

questions).

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