General exam information - FAQs
Asking about a specific paper?
You can find questions about specific exam papers under the ‘Exam format’ tab for your chosen exam.
- Does the content of Cambridge English exams meet the needs of learners from different countries?
- Are the exams suitable for candidates of any age and from any culture?
- I need to take an A1 Level test for immigration to the UK under the UK Border Agency (UKBA) visa regulations for partners/spouses. Do you offer an A1 test?
- How many hours of study are needed to reach each level of the exam?
- How many hours of study are needed for Skills for Life?
- Are non-UK standard versions of English acceptable?
- Can I use a dictionary in my exam?
- Can I use a highlighter pen?
- When can I use pens or pencils?
- Can I use correction fluid?
- Is the use of phrasal verbs acceptable?
- What are the exam regulations? Where can I find them?
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Does the content of Cambridge English exams meet the needs of learners from different countries?
Cambridge English exams are relevant worldwide, and feature wide-ranging content. The writers of the exams choose materials from worldwide sources to include in the exams. The range of contexts is considered when each test is constructed. Listening tests feature a variety of accents.
You can use any variety of English in the exams that would enable you to function in a range of international contexts.
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Are the exams suitable for candidates of any age and from any culture?
Yes. All tasks are written and edited to strict guidelines and every effort is made to avoid age and cultural bias. To ensure that materials are suitable for a range of age groups and cultural backgrounds, all test items are pretested before use in the exams and any that prove too difficult or discriminate unfairly are rejected. On average, over 200,000 candidates take part in pretesting each year.
However, some exams are specifically designed with a particular age range in mind:
- Cambridge English: Young Learners [7–12]
- Cambridge English: Key for Schools (KET for Schools) and Cambridge English: Preliminary for Schools (PET for Schools) [12–14]
- Cambridge English: First for Schools (FCE for Schools) [any candidate of school age].
Also, Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) contains some texts and tasks which are likely to be more suitable in content for candidates who have achieved a certain degree of maturity in their handling of abstract ideas and concepts.
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I need to take an A1 Level test for immigration to the UK under the UK Border Agency (UKBA) visa regulations for partners/spouses. Do you offer an A1 test?
Many Cambridge English tests are recognised by the UKBA for the language requirement for spouses. You can find more information here:
Of these, Cambridge English: Key, also known as Key English Test (KET), is our lowest level test (at Level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference). You can find further information about all our exams here:
You can find a table showing how all of our exams are aligned to the Common European Framework (A1–C2) here:
If you need to enter for one of these awards, you will need to contact an approved examination centre:
Further information can be found on the UKBA website:
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How many hours of study are needed to reach each level of the exam?
You can find information on guided learning hours here:
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How many hours of study are needed for Skills for Life?
The number of guided learning hours will vary according to your need and should be determined by your teacher. Together, for Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing, if you are under 16 years of age, a figure of 120–140 hours should act as a guide. For a single part (e.g. Speaking and Listening), a figure of 60–70 hours should act as a guide.
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Are non-UK standard versions of English acceptable?
Yes. Your responses to tasks in the Cambridge English exams are acceptable in varieties of English which would enable you to function in the widest range of international contexts. Some degree of consistency, however, is expected in areas such as spelling.
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Can I use a dictionary in my exam?
The only exam where dictionaries can be used is Cambridge ESOL Skills for Life, Reading (Entry 1, Entry 2 and Entry 3). Dictionaries are not allowed in any other Cambridge English exam. This is because many of the questions test your understanding of the meaning of words and how they are used. All the material is pretested, and this ensures that texts and questions are at an appropriate level.
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Can I use a highlighter pen?
Highlighter pens may be used on the question papers, but must not be used on the answer sheets.
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When can I use pens or pencils?
|
Cambridge English: Key (KET) |
Pencils should be used in all papers (and the Candidate Information Sheet). |
|
Cambridge English: First (FCE) |
Pencils should be used in all papers (and the Candidate Information Sheet) except Writing papers. Pens should be used in Writing papers. |
|
TKT (all modules) |
Pencils should be used. |
|
Delta Module One (Papers 1 and 2) |
Pencils should be used. |
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Can I use correction fluid?
No, correction fluid and correction tape may not be used in any Cambridge English exam paper.
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Is the use of phrasal verbs acceptable?
It is perfectly acceptable to use phrasal verbs in Cambridge English exams, providing that they are suitable in register to the context and that they are not used as responses where a single word answer is required.
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What are the exam regulations? Where can I find them?
The regulations are the rules for candidates and examination centres that we use to make sure that our exams are run fairly and securely.
If you are a candidate, your examination centre will send you a summary of the regulations. You can ask to see the full regulations at your examination centre, or you can download them here:
http://www.cambridgeesol.org/assets/pdf/exams/general/regulations.pdf
