FCE FAQs
FAQs about FCE
Reading
- What is the range of text types in each part of the FCE Reading paper?
- Does each part have a time limit?
- Can computers spot when a candidate has made a mistake transferring the answers?
Writing
- What happens in the Writing assessment if a candidate writes more than the required number of words?
- Is the report format obligatory for the 'report' in the Writing paper?
- Are addresses to be omitted ONLY when stated in the task?
- What is the situation with the use of closing formulae in the Writing paper?
- What happens if the narrative prompt is in the wrong place in the candidate's answer?
Use of English
- How are marks awarded in the Transformation task in the Use of English paper?
- What is the limit on the number of correct lines in the Error Correction task?
- In the Error Correction task, what happens if the candidate 'corrects' an already correct line?
- How is the Word Formation task evaluated when the form of the word is right, but it should be plural instead of singular or the other way round?
Listening
- Is wrong spelling penalised in the Listening paper?
- Are candidates supposed to write the words they hear on the recording in answers to Part 2, or do they get more marks if they use their own words?
- In the Listening paper, can candidates fill in the answer sheet directly?
- Can candidates wear headphones in the Listening paper?
Speaking
- What should candidates do if they don't understand the instructions?
- What is done when there's only one candidate left at the end of a Speaking test session?
Reading
What is the range of text types in each part of the FCE Reading paper?
It is possible for any of the text types listed in the handbook to appear in any part of the paper. It is helpful for FCE candidates to be familiar with any text type that might appear in the exam and with the different test focuses for each part. Appropriate tasks are selected to suit the individual text.
Does each part have a time limit?
No. The time limit of 1 hour 15 minutes is for the whole of the Reading paper and candidates can organise this time as they wish.
Can computers spot when a candidate has made a mistake transferring the answers?
If more than one lozenge has been completed for one question, the computer rejects the answer sheet, which is then dealt with on an individual basis. Checks are in place to identify incomplete answer sheets, which are also then checked.
Cases where all the answers have been entered incorrectly, e.g. by putting answer 1 to question 2, answer 2 to question 3 etc., cannot be identified.
Candidates should be careful when filling in their answer sheets.
Writing
What happens in the Writing assessment if a candidate writes more than the required number of words?
If a script is over 200 words, the whole answer is assessed at the first reading. At the second reading a line is drawn at the place where the correct length is reached and the language is only closely assessed up to that line.
Is the report format obligatory for the 'report' in the Writing paper?
Reports should be clearly organised and may contain headings. The report format is not obligatory, but will make a good impression on the target reader if used appropriately. The mark awarded to the report will, however, depend on how the report meets the requirements of the General Mark Scheme and the Task Specific Mark Scheme for the question.
Are addresses to be omitted ONLY when stated in the task?
As a matter of policy, where the genre is given as a letter, the instruction 'You do not need to include postal addresses' is added to the rubric. Where other genres are given in the rubric (e.g. report, article), candidates sometimes choose to use a letter format to answer the question if appropriate to the task. In no case will the address, if included by the candidate, be subject to assessment, either negative or positive.
What is the situation with the use of closing formulae in the Writing paper?
There is no fixed penalty for using a formula which has traditionally not been considered the appropriate one. It would be difficult to impose such a penalty as worldwide there is a range of correct endings. This is all part of the effect on the target reader as an appropriate ending has a positive effect and is part of the correct register for the task. Cambridge ESOL would not penalise the use of 'Yours sincerely' as opposed to 'Yours faithfully' and vice versa. The use of 'Love' or 'Cheers' in a formal letter would, however, be inappropriate register, as would 'Yours faithfully' in an informal letter.
What happens if the narrative prompt is in the wrong place in the candidate's answer?
If the prompt sentence is used at the wrong end of the story, (i.e. ends the story when it should begin it), or is embedded somewhere within the story, candidates will be penalised by a whole band for non-completion of the task. Candidates will not be penalised lower than a band score of 2.3. The mark would of course be lower if the language is weak, but stories awarded a mark in Band 2 or 1 will not be penalised further for task infringement.
Use of English
How are marks awarded in the Transformation task in the Use of English paper?
Transformation questions contain two key elements, and the key is designed so that this is clear to markers, e.g. do you want | to take.
As long as candidates' responses contain the emboldened prompt word from the item, and are between two and five words in length, candidates are eligible for both marks. If candidates get the first part wrong, they can still get a mark for a correct second part of the answer (and vice-versa). This allows candidates to be rewarded for partially correct answers.
What is the limit on the number of correct lines in the Error Correction task?
The specifications state that most lines contain errors.
In the Error Correction task, what happens if the candidate 'corrects' an already correct line?
Each line of the Error Correction task carries one mark. If candidates identify what they consider to be an error in a correct line, they will get no mark.
How is the Word Formation task evaluated when the form of the word is right, but it should be plural instead of singular or the other way round?
A singular in an answer where a plural is required is marked as incorrect. Candidates are expected to look at indicators in the text to decide whether a singular or plural form is appropriate. The same applies for positively/negatively prefixed adjectives.
Listening
Is wrong spelling penalised in the Listening paper?
At FCE level, minor spellings are not penalised, but the candidate's intention must be clear. Candidates will not be asked to spell words which are above FCE level. However, where a word has been spelled out letter by letter, for example a proper name, and where this would actually be a test of the candidate's ability to follow the spelling, the spelling must be correct.
Are candidates supposed to write the words they hear on the recording in answers to Part 2, or do they get more marks if they use their own words?
Candidates should try to use the actual words they hear on the tape/CD. They do not get more marks for using their own words.
In the Listening paper, can candidates fill in the answer sheet directly?
There is nothing to prevent candidates from doing this. However, it is recommended that candidates put their answers on the question paper while listening to the recording and then transfer these answers to the answer sheet when the recording has finished.
Can candidates wear headphones in the Listening paper?
There is no regulation against candidates using headphones. This depends on how the centre administers the exam.
Speaking
What should candidates do if they don't understand the instructions?
Candidates should ask the examiner to repeat the instructions. They will not be penalised for this. However, for reasons of standardisation, no variation on the instructions can be given.
What is done when there's only one candidate left at the end of a Speaking test session?
In all Main Suite examinations, candidates are examined in pairs with two examiners. At centres with an uneven number of candidates, the last single candidate will be examined with the last pair to form a group of three.
