FCE Study on the Internet

Cambridge University's First Certificate Examination (FCE) is probably the most widely respected English learning certificate outside of the United States. Examination centres around the world offer the First Certificate Exam twice a year; once in December and once in June. In fact, the First Certificate is only one of a number of Cambridge examinations aimed at levels from young learners to business English. However, the FCE is certainly the most popular. The tests are given in Cambridge University approved exam centres using Cambridge University approved examiners. Studying for the First Certificate Exam usually involves a long course. At the school where I teach, a First Certificate preparation course lasts 120 hours. It is a difficult (and long) exam which contains five "papers" including: Reading Writing Use of English Listening Speaking Up until now, there have been few resources on the Internet for First Certificate preparation. Luckily, this is beginning to change. The purpose of this feature is to provide you with FREE study resources currently available on the Internet. You can use these materials to prepare for the exam or to check to see if your level of English is right for working towards this exam. What is the First Certificate Examination? Before beginning to study for the First Certificate, it is a good idea to understand the philosophy and purpose behind this standardized test. The best way to do this is to go straight to the source and visit the introduction to the exam <http://clk.about.com/? zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cambridge-efl.org%2Fexam%2Fgeneral %2Fbg_fce.htm> at Cambridge University's EFL site. You can also download the FCE handbook <http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F %2Fwww.cambridge-efl.org%2Fsupport%2Fdloads%2Fums.cfm> from Cambridge University. For information about where the First Certificate is placed on the European 5level scale you can visit this informative page <http://clk.about.com/? zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alte.org%2Fcan_do%2Fframework %2Ftable.cfm> . Now that you know what you will be working towards, it's time to get down to work! The following links lead you to various free practice resources on the Internet. Preparing for the First Certificate Examination on the Internet

Practice Exercises
Reading Reading Practice Paper from Cambridge University <http://clk.about.com/? zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cambridgeesol.org%2Fsupport %2Fdloads%2Ffce%2Ffce_hb_samp_p1.pdf> Practice Tests from Flo Joe <http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http %3A%2F%2Fwww.flo-joe.co.uk%2Ffce%2Fstudents%2Ftests%2Ftsindex.htm>

Use of English Use of English Practice Paper from Cambridge University <http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F %2Fwww.cambridgeesol.org%2Fsupport%2Fdloads%2Ffce %2Ffce_hb_samp_p3.pdf> Spotlight on Paper 3 (Use of English) from Flo Joe <http://clk.about.com/? zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flo-joe.co.uk%2Ffce%2Fstudents %2Fstrategy%2Findex.htm> The Wordbank also from Flo Joe's site <http://clk.about.com/? zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flo-joe.co.uk%2Ffce%2Fstudents %2Fwordbank%2Findex.htm> A practice program from Churchhill House's site <http://clk.about.com/? zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.churchillhouse.com%2Fenglish %2Fchurchillhouse.exe> (this requires you to download the free software) Sentence Transformation Excercises at ESL.about.com Writing Writing Practice Paper from Cambridge University <http://clk.about.com/? zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cambridgeesol.org%2Fsupport %2Fdloads%2Ffce%2Ffce_hb_samp_p2.pdf> Exercise 1 </library/quiz/bltransform1.htm> Exercise 2 </library/quiz/bltransform2.htm> Exercise 3 </library/quiz/bltransform3.htm> Exercise 4 </library/quiz/bltransform4.htm> Exercise 5 </library/quiz/bltransform5.htm> Exercise 6 </library/quiz/bltransform6.htm>

Writing Class from Flo Joe <http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http %3A%2F%2Fwww.flo-joe.co.uk%2Ffce%2Fstudents%2Fwriting%2Findex.htm>

Listening Listening is a bit of a problem as I haven't been able to find any FCE specific listening practice exercises on the Internet. However, you can download the practice exam <http://clk.about.com/? zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cambridgeesol.org%2Fsupport%2Fdloads %2Ffce%2Ffce_hb_samp_p4.pdf> to see what the questions are like from the Cambridge University site. I would highly recommend you visit the BBC's audio and visual page <http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk %2Faudiovideo%2F> and listen to or watch various ABC programs using the RealPlayer. The exam is purely British English, so it's best to listen to this classic British radio station. Finally, here are some links to use to download an entire practice examination. Download all the sample papers, answer keys and exam reports for the FCE <http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F %2Fwww.cambridge-efl.org%2Fsupport%2Fdloads%2Fums.cfm> at Cambridge University's EFL site Flo Joe's Practice Tests <http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A %2F%2Fwww.flo-joe.co.uk%2Ffce%2Fstudents%2Ftests%2Ftsindex.htm> Ready for First Certificate (a FCE preparation book published by MacMillan) provides free practice tests of Papers 1, 2 and three emailed to you three times a year.

I hope these resource can help you get an excellent start towards the FCE. For information about other types of Cambridge University English Exams, just visit the site <http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=esl&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cambridge-efl.org %2Fexam%2F> .

Guide Picks - First (FCE) Certificate Examination Preparation Materials Cambridge University's First Certificate
Examination (FCE) is one of the most widely recognized qualifications around the world. The test is difficult and requires serious preparation on very specific types of exam questions. These materials will help you prepare effectively for the examination. 1) First Certificate Gold Exam Maximiser <http://erclk.about.com/?zi=12/6m> This is the self-study practice book which goes hand in hand with the course book. The FCE Gold Maximiser is a great choice for improving the core skills such as vocabulary forms, grammar formulas and strategies that you will need to do well on the exam.

<http://erclk.about.com/?zi=12/6m> <http://erclk.about.com/?zi=12/6m> 2) First Certificate Avenues <http://erclk.about.com/?zi=12/Bt> First Certificate Avenues is an excellent course preparation book which can also be used for self-study in this version of the workbook with the correction key. This is a good choice if you are looking for a one-book solution to study for the exam.

<http://erclk.about.com/?zi=12/Bt> <http://erclk.about.com/?zi=12/Bt> 3) Cambridge First Certificate Listening and Speaking <http://erclk.about.com/? zi=12/Bt> Many students find the listening part of the exam the most difficult of all. This book focuses solely on the listening and speaking parts of FCE and can be a big help not only for listening skills improvement, but also for improving your conversation skills.

<http://erclk.about.com/?zi=12/Bt> <http://erclk.about.com/?zi=12/Bt> 4) Cambridge First Certificate in English 5, with Answers <http://erclk.about.com/? zi=12/IB> Eventually, you'll just need to practice, practice and practice the exam itself. This is the latest exam practice book employing actual exams used in past examinations.

<http://erclk.about.com/?zi=12/IB> <http://erclk.about.com/?zi=12/IB> 5) Cambridge First Certificate in English 4, with Answers <http://erclk.about.com/? zi=12/K[> Eventually, you'll just need to practice, practice and practice the exam itself. This is a further exam practice book employing actual exams used in past examinations.