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Cambridge English FIRST Register now You can take the exam on paper or on computer.

STEP 1 – Test your level See if Cambridge English: First is the right exam for you – take our free online test at www.cambridgeenglish.org/testyourenglish STEP 2 – Contact your local exam centre Your local centre can give you details of dates, costs, how to prepare and how to register for an exam. Find your nearest centre at www.cambridgeenglish.org/centresearch STEP 3 – Get started on your preparation Find a wide range of support, including official Cambridge English preparation materials, at www.cambridgeenglish.org/first Ready for success in study, work and life • Develop real-life English skills for work and study • Prove you can use everyday written and spoken English at an upper-intermediate level • Show you are ready to work or study in an English-speaking environment • Gain a valuable qualification that is accepted worldwide

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Cambridge English Language Assessment is part of the University

Ready for success in study, work and life Brief exam guide for exams from 2015 Get a certificate that is accepted globally The exam is accepted as an upper-intermediate qualification in English by thousands of universities, colleges and employers around the world.

Use the exam for visa applications As well as using your certificate for university applications worldwide, you can also use it for your student visa application to the UK and Ireland.

To view the full list of institutions who accept the exam visit www.cambridgeenglish.org/recognition What level is the exam?

The exam focuses on Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) – an upper-intermediate level of English.

What’s in the exam?

The exam is designed to be fair to people of all nationalities and linguistic backgrounds and is supported by a dedicated research programme.

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It covers all four language skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) and knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.

Reading and Use of English: 1 hour 15 minutes Shows you can understand texts from publications such as books, newspapers and magazines.

Writing: 1 hour 20 minutes Shows you can write different text types, such as an essay, report or a letter.

Listening: 40 minutes Shows you can follow a range of spoken materials, such as news and everyday conversations.

Speaking: 14 minutes Shows you can communicate effectively in face-to-face situations. You take the test with one or two other candidates.

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The Reading and Use of English paper is worth 40% of the marks, and each of the other papers is worth 20%. www.cambridgeenglish.org/first

First Examination in January 2015 amending the changes will make the test more appropriate for academic and professional purposes, besides being more attractive to the candidate and to be of shorter duration.

Paper 1: Reading and Use of English • Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes.

• Content: 52 questions based on texts and divided into seven parts.

Parts 1-4 require the candidate fill in the blanks in the text: Part 1: Multiple choice - focuses on vocabulary Part 2: Open cloze - control of grammar and vocabulary Part 3: Word formation - from listed words Part 4: Key word transformation Parts 5-7 focus on reading comprehension: Part 5: Multiple choice - understanding in detail, tone, attitude, purpose Part 6: Gapped text - placing phrases Part 7: Multiple text -matching of questions • Rating: 40%

Paper 2: Writing • Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes.

• Content: 4

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or compulsory Task 140-190 words based on a text and instructions to make an essay evaluating ideas, contrasting opinions in reaching a conclusion. * Develop in 140-190 words a theme to choose from three options: an article / an informal email or an informal letter / email formal or a formal letter / an essay / report * There is no longer a task based on reading a specific book.

• Rating: 20%

Paper 3: Listening • Duration: about 40 minutes • Content: 30 questions based on hearing recordings divided into four parts, to sort and / or complete information, answer test questions, response selection (multiple-matching) and identify opinions and attitudes.

• Rating: 20%

Paper 4: Speaking • Time: 14 minutes • Content: The interview will be in pairs (two candidates / two examiners) and will have four parts: Presentation of candidates Description and comments on a photograph or visual material (1 minute).

Interaction of the candidates or to solve a problem.

Discussion on issues related to Part C. • Rating: 20% 5

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Introducing the Cambridge English Scale The Cambridge English Scale is a new approach to reporting results across the range of Cambridge English exams. Initially, this will apply to Cambridge English: First, First for Schools, Advanced and Proficiency from January 2015. Other exams will be added to the scale during 2015.

The Cambridge English Scale scores will replace the current candidate profile and standardised scores. Grades and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels will be retained. The new scores provide richer information by reporting on a candidate’s performance in each of the four skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) and in Use of English. These scores also make clear the alignment of our exams with each other, and with the CEFR.

Candidate results Candidates will continue to receive a Statement of Results and a certificate.

Both will contain the candidate’s: • score on the Cambridge English Scale for each of the four skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) and Use of English • score on the Cambridge English Scale for the overall exam • grade (A, B, C) for the overall exam • CEFR level for the overall exam.

In addition, the certificate will contain the UK National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level.

Determining the Cambridge English Scale scores The total marks for each of the four skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) and Use of English are converted into 6

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scores on the Cambridge English Scale.

These individual scores are averaged to reach the overall Cambridge English Scale score for the exam.

The grades and CEFR levels are defined at specific points on the Cambridge English Scale.

For example, a Cambridge English Scale score of 195 in Cambridge English: Advanced represents a grade B, and also indicates that the candidate is at Level C1.

Relating scores between exams The Cambridge English Scale represents performance across a wider range of language ability than any single

exam. Each exam is mapped to a section of the scale.

Although Cambridge English exams are targeted at a specific level (Cambridge English: First at Level B2, for example) there is a degree of overlap between exams at adjacent levels. The new Cambridge English Scale shows where the exams overlap and how performance on one exam relates to performance on another.

The diagram above shows that a candidate who scores 182 in Cambridge English: First will be expected to achieve a similar score in Cambridge English: Advanced. Š UCLES 2014 |CE/2780/4Y04

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Cambridge English: Advanced certificate stating that they demonstrated ability at Level C2. The maximum achievable score for Cambridge English: Advanced is 210.

Candidates with scores from 193 to 199 will receive Our extensive research a grade B. Those scoring over many years means 180 up to 192 will receive a that we can be confident grade C. These candidates that candidates who will receive a Cambridge achieve the same English: Advanced Cambridge English Scale certificate at Level C1. score in different exams show a comparable level of Candidates who score between 160 and 179 will ability. The alignment of receive a Cambridge our exams is an integral English certificate stating part of our test they demonstrated ability construction procedures as well as the rating scales at Level B2.

Candidates scoring we use to assess between 142 and 159 will performance. not receive a certificate, An example of how the but will be given a scale works The example below shows Cambridge English Scale score which will be shown the relationship between on the Statement of the CEFR levels, the Results.

Cambridge English Scale and the grades awarded in Cambridge English: Advanced.

A candidate scoring 200 to 210 will receive a grade A and they will receive a The scores reported for each exam range from: • 122 to 190 for Cambridge English: First • 142 to 210 for Cambridge English: Advanced • 162 to 230 for Cambridge English: Proficiency.

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Benefits to users We understand our stakeholders’ need for clear and comprehensive results information. As with previous enhancements, the new scale has been developed in response to feedback from users of our results.

The Cambridge English Scale will enable us to provide clearer and more detailed information than is currently available, showing where a candidate’s performance falls within each level and grade, both overall and for the four skills and Use of English. Candidates and teachers will benefit from having better information about their performance, making it easier to identify areas for improvement.

The relationship between each exam will be easier to understand, because scores will be reported on the same common scale across all of our exams.

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