All Cambridge ESOL exams are systematically reviewed to make sure they continue to meet users’ needs and remain amongst the fairest and most accurate tests available today. Over the last two years, as many people will know already, Cambridge ESOL has carried out a thorough review of the First Certificate in English (FCE) and Certificate in Advanced English (CAE).
‘Our specialist exam development and research teams worked closely with external consultants and senior examiners to find possible improvements in every aspect of the exams. We also involved exam centres, teachers and learners around the world in the consultation process,’ explained Anne Gutch, Assistant Director, Assessment & Operations Group.
‘One thing we wanted to check was whether reducing the length of the exams would make them more accessible, without compromising the thoroughness of assessment.’
What are the changes?
- The tests will focus on a wider range of skills and functions
- Some exam components will include new and/or improved task types
- The content of some components will be more standardised, making them user-friendly for students preparing for the exams
- The overall length of the exams will be reduced by approximately one hour
What are the benefits?
- Progression from FCE to CAE and CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) will be more straightforward as the exams will be structured more similarly
- The updated structure of the exams will help teachers who teach FCE, CAE and CPE
- A shorter exam will be more appealing to test takers
The changed exam formats will accommodate future technologies to streamline post-exam processes such as marking and the turnaround of results. We are also looking at ways to enhance the presentation of results to help candidates understand better how they have performed and to help other users to interpret the results. Details of these changes can be found at: www.CambridgeESOL.org/exams
What happens next?
New exam specifications and sample materials are available and teacher training seminars started from April 2007. The updated exams will be administered for the first time in December 2008. Information will be available at: www.CambridgeESOL.org/exams.