Chapter 21: Making the Grade: Handling Exam Classes 305
- Listening: This lasts 40 minutes and aims to present realistic
contexts such as public announcements and news broadcasts.
You listen to the texts twice. - Speaking: Students have to talk about general topics, compare
and contrast two pictures by themselves, and discuss a task with
another student. This part takes about 14 minutes. - Use of English: This paper is a tricky one which tests overall
knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary. It takes 45 minutes.
✓ CAE (Certificate in Advanced English): This advanced level exam is
almost the same in its format as FCE but of course at a higher level. The
registration fee is about £85.
✓ CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English): This level is close to that of
a native speaker and the exam consists of the same five papers as FCE.
However each one is longer. The registration fee is about £90.
✓ Certificates in ESOL Skills for Life: Speakers of English as a second
language in England, Wales and Northern Ireland take these state-run
exams. Depending on the level the cost of these exams is approximately
£10 for the Reading test, £15 to £20 for the Writing test and £20 to £25 for
the Speaking and Listening test.
Cambridge offer KET and PET exams ‘for Schools’, which means they’re
designed specifically for the interests and experiences of students.Consult the Cambridge ESOL website at http://www.cambridgeesol.org for
more information about these exams. The British Council website at
http://www.britishcouncil.org gives information about most English exams.Other exams
Students take other exams, although these are a little less prominent than the
ones mentioned in earlier sections. Some of these are specific to the student’s
(prospective) career or age group. Others are alternatives to the academic and
general English exams mentioned above and are also recognised by employers
and educators, but are especially favoured by particular EFL colleges.EDI (Education Development International) offer general English exams and
professional English exams through LCCI (www.lcci.org.uk).