Cambridge Exams: Description & Levels

Choosing one of these courses you will be introduced to the format and content of the chosen examination you want to take. You will develop the necessary exam techniques to be able to pass the exams successfully.

We prepare students for:

KET – Key English Test
PET - Preliminary English Test
FCE - First Certificate Examination
CAE - Advanced Certificate Examination
CPE - Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English

KET (Key English Test)

An elementary level exam, testing your ability to deal with basic written and spoken communications. KET is the first level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level A2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. KET recognises the ability to cope with everyday written and spoken communications at a basic level. Do you have basic English skills? Can you understand simple texts? Can you communicate in familiar situations? Can you understand short notices and simple spoken directions? If so, then KET is the exam for you.

What does the exam involve? KET has three papers:

• Reading & Writing (Paper 1): 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Listening (Paper 2): 30 minutes approximately
• Speaking (Paper 3): 8-10 minutes

Each paper is returned to Cambridge for marking and assessment, except the Speaking Test, which is conducted by two locally based examiners who examine candidates face to face. All examiners are accredited by Cambridge ESOL.

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PET (Preliminary English Test)

An intermediate level exam, testing your ability to cope with everyday written and spoken communications. PET is the second level Cambridge ESOL exam. It is an intermediate level exam, at Level B1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages . If you can deal with everyday written and spoken communications (e.g. read simple textbooks and articles, write simple personal letters, make notes during a meeting), then this is the exam for you.

PET is a valuable qualification if you want to work or study abroad or to develop a career in international business. It is also useful preparation for higher level exams, such as FCE (First Certificate in English), CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) and CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English). PET involves three exam papers as in KET.

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FCE (First Certificate in English)

An upper intermediate level exam - ideal if you can deal confidently with a range of written and spoken communications. FCE is an intermediate level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level B2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages . Choose FCE if your knowledge of English is adequate for many practical everyday purposes, including business and study.

To be successful, you will have a wide grasp of vocabulary, and be able to construct an argument and use appropriate communication styles for a variety of situations. You also need to show awareness of register and of the conventions of politeness and degrees of formality as they are expressed through language.

What does the exam involve? FCE has five papers:

• Reading Paper: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Writing Paper: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Use of English: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Listening Paper: 40 minutes (approx.)
• Speaking Paper: 14 minutes

Each of the written papers is returned to Cambridge for marking and assessment. The Speaking Test is conducted by two locally based examiners who examine you face to face. All examiners are accredited by Cambridge ESOL.

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CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)

An advanced exam - if you can communicate with confidence in English for work or study purposes, this is the exam for you. CAE is ideal if you want to work or study abroad or to develop a career which requires language skills (e.g. business, medicine, engineering). It is also useful preparation if you are working towards CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English).

On passing the exam, you'll receive a certificate awarded by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations . Your CAE certificate is recognised by universities and employers throughout the world.

Studying for CAE helps you to improve your language skills and use them in a wide range of contexts. The exams are based on realistic tasks, and indicate the ability to use the language in practical situations. If you are successful, you'll be able to participate in meetings and discussions, expressing opinions clearly, and be able to understand and produce texts of various types, including business letters and reports. You'll also be more than capable of following university courses taught in English.

What does the exam involve? CAE has exactly the same number of papers as FCE although some of the papers are longer than the FCE papers: the writing paper takes 2 hours and the Use of English takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.

IMPORTANT: In order to ensure that the exams meet the needs of users, FCE and CAE have recently undergone a review and the examinations have been updated. The first session of the updated FCE and CAE exams will take place in December 2008. Please check the Cambridge ESOL website for further details : www.cambridgeesol.org

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CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English)

A very advanced level exam - perfect if you have achieved a high level of language skills and are able to function effectively in almost any English-speaking context. CPE is the highest level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level C2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages . If you are able to function effectively in almost any English-speaking context and are approaching a standard of English similar to that of an educated native speaker, then this is the exam for you.

Success at this level represents a significant personal achievement. While studying for CPE you will be improving your language skills and learning to use them in a wide range of contexts. Because many aspects of the exams are based on realistic tasks, a CPE certificate shows that you have progressed beyond a good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and can actually use the language in real contexts.

What does the exam involve? CPE consists of the same five papers as for FCE and CAE although some of the papers would be a bit longer than the CAE papers.

The Dublin Cultural Institute provides the students with comprehensive information on the above exams, test centres and dates, registration procedure, etc.

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Please note that some of the above courses are subject to availability and to a minimum number of students per class.

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