Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What areas of finance are covered in the Test of Reading?
Which parts of the Test of Reading do candidates find the most challenging?
How much time is allowed for the Test of Reading?
How do candidates record their answers?
Why do candidates have to record their answers to Parts 2 and 3 in capital letters?
Are singular/plural noun forms important in Part 3?
How can I prepare my students for the Use of English tasks in Parts 1-3?
How can I prepare my students for Part 4?
Are the four paragraphs in Part 4 always from the same source?
How can I prepare my students for Part 5?
Do the Part 6 questions appear in the same order as the information in the text?
How can I prepare my students for Part 6?
What areas of finance are covered in the Test of Reading?
ICFE deals with finance in an international context. The following list is an illustration of some of the areas of finance featured in ICFE:
- Accountancy software
- Accounting standards
- Assets and company valuations
- Auditing
- Banking
- Budgetary processes
- Buying
- Company financial strategy
- Data analysis
- Debt recovery / credit policy / payment collection
- Economic factors / conditions / forecasts in certain markets
- Financial reporting (e.g. annual reports, company financial background, mergers and acquisitions)
- Insurance
- Professional ethics and ethical standards in accounting
- Risk assessment / analysis
- Financial aspects of setting up a company / drawing up a business plan
- Stock market
The ICFE examination will also cover relevant aspects of corporate governance.
Please note: this list is not exhaustive, and is reviewed at regular intervals to ensure ICFE is up-to-date and continues to meet the needs of its target users.
Which parts of the Test of Reading do candidates find the most challenging?
The second task in Use of English Parts 1 and 3 is intended to be more difficult than the first. For most candidates, however, Reading Parts 5 and 6 are the most challenging, and candidates should leave themselves adequate time to complete these.
How much time is allowed for the Test of Reading?
75 minutes, with no added time for the transfer of answers to the answer sheet
How do candidates record their answers?
Candidates record their answers on an answer sheet (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 6 simply require them to lozenge the appropriate box, while for Parts 2 and 3, the answers need to be written out in capital letters).
Why do candidates have to record their answers to Parts 2 and 3 in capital letters?
So that the answer sheets can be computer-marked, using a character recognition scanning method
Are singular/plural noun forms important in Part 3?
Yes, so candidates must read the text carefully to decide which is required in the gap.
How can I prepare my students for the Use of English tasks in Parts 1-3?
For Parts 1 and 3, where the emphasis is on vocabulary, students need to develop strategies for learning new words. Encourage them to read independently and record any new vocabulary in their notebooks. They should also be introduced to semantic areas of vocabulary, and regularly tested on affixation and compounds. For Part 2, they need to review areas of grammar that are relevant to B2 and C1 levels, such as auxiliary verbs, conjunctions, prepositions and quantifiers.
How can I prepare my students for Part 4?
The Part 4 matching task requires students to scan for specific information and involves the paraphrasing of content. Ask students to paraphrase key ideas in texts and give them timed practice in scanning for information.
Are the four paragraphs in Part 4 always from the same source?
Usually, but not always – there may be four short texts from different sources but they will be generally on the same theme.
How can I prepare my students for Part 5?
Find suitable financial texts and cut them into paragraphs for jigsaw reading tasks; develop students’ awareness of a range of linking devices.
Do the Part 6 questions appear in the same order as the information in the text?
Yes they do, and the text will be paragraphed so as to allow candidates to recognise this more easily.
How can I prepare my students for Part 6?
Expose students to texts containing opinion or comment, and ask them to locate detail in these texts, as well as explain the main ideas.
If you have any other questions about the ICFE Test of Reading, contact us and we'll answer the most frequently asked questions here.