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English / Exams / Cambridge
Cambridge EFL exams (KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE)
   
Sections:
Introduction
Exams
KET
  PET
  FCE
  CAE
  CPE
  Further information
Links
   
Related pages:
Guide (information about all of the English language tests)
  Oral (speaking exams)
  IELTS
TOEFL



INTRODUCTION

The Cambridge exams are some of the most popular tests of general English in the UK. They are managed by Cambridge ESOL (formerly known as UCLES: the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate).

The main levels of exam are:
KET (Key English Test)
PET (Preliminary English Test)
FCE (First Certificate in English)
CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English)

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KET

The KET (Key English Test) is for elementary students.
Background information on the exam is available at: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/ket.htm
Recommended books for studying for KET (these use the revised format of the test which was introduced from March 2004):

Textbook
Practice Tests
Objective KET
Authors: Annette Capel, Wendy Sharp
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: February 2005
Workbook
Cambridge Key English Test 5 (book and CDs)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: January 2010
Book only
Common Mistakes at KET...And How to Avoid Them
Author: Liz Driscoll
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: February 2007
Cambridge Key English Test 4 (book and CDs)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: January 2006
Book only
 
Cambridge Key English Test Extra (book and CD)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: May 2008

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PET

The PET (Preliminary English Test) is for pre-intermediate students.
Background information on the exam is available at: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/pet.htm
Recommended books for studying for PET (these use the revised format of the test which was introduced from March 2004):

Textbook
Practice Tests
Complete PET
Authors: Emma Heyderman, Peter May
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: February 2010
Cambridge Preliminary English Test 6 (book and CDs)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: January 2010
Book only
Objective PET (2nd edition)
Authors: Louise Hashemi, Barbara Thomas
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: March 2010
Cambridge Preliminary English Test 5 (book and CDs)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: February 2008
Book only
Insight into PET
Authors: Helen Naylor, Stuart Hagger
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: February 2004
Cambridge Exams Extra PET (book and CD)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: September 2006
Common Mistakes at PET...And How to Avoid Them
Author: Liz Driscoll
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: February 2005
   

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FCE

The FCE (First Certificate in English) is for intermediate students.
The FCE (First Certificate in English) is the most popular of the Cambridge general English exams.
The exam is available in June and December, and also in March in some centres. It can be taken in many parts of the world.
There are 5 papers, with 20% of the total marks for each one. The papers are: Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening and Speaking.
You need about 60% of the total marks to pass (you do not need to pass all of the papers individually). Grades A, B or C are passes.
For more information about the speaking test of the FCE exam, see: English/Exams/Oral.

Background information on the FCE exam is available at: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/fce.htm
Note that an updated exam was introduced in December 2008.
Recommended books for studying for FCE:

Textbook
Practice Tests
Complete First Certificate (for updated exam)
Authors: Guy Brook-Hart
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: April 2008
Cambridge First Certificate in English 4 (book and CDs, for updated exam)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: October 2010
Book only
Objective First Certificate (for updated exam)
Authors: Annette Capel, Wendy Sharp
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: February 2008
Cambridge First Certificate in English 3 (for updated exam)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: December 2008
Book only ; CDs only
Common Mistakes at FCE...And How to Avoid Them
Author: Susanne Tayfoor
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: April 2004
Cambridge First Certificate in English 2 (book and CDs, for updated exam)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: July 2008
Book only
 
Cambridge First Certificate in English 1 (book and CDs, for updated exam)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: February 2008
Book only

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CAE

The CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) is for upper intermediate students.
Background information on the exam is available at: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/cae.htm
Note that an updated exam was introduced in December 2008.
Recommended books for studying for CAE:

Textbook
Practice Tests
Complete CAE (for updated exam)
Authors: Guy Brook-Hart
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: April 2008
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English 4 (book and CDs, for updated exam)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: October 2010
Book only
Objective CAE (for updated exam)
Authors: Felicity O'Dell, Annie Broadhead
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: January 2008
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English 3 (book and CDs, for updated exam)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: February 2009
Book only
Common Mistakes at CAE...And How to Avoid Them
Author: Debra Powell
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: February 2005
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English 2 (book and CDs, for updated exam)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: July 2008
Book only
   
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English 1 (book and CDs, for updated exam)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: January 2008
Book only

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CPE

The CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) is for advanced students.
Background information on the exam is available at: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/cpe.htm
Recommended books for studying for CPE:

Textbook
Practice Tests
0521007895

New Progress to Proficiency
Author: Leo Jones
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: January 2002

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English 5 (book and CDs)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: August 2006
Book only
Objective Proficiency
Authors: Annette Capel, Wendy Sharp
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: May 2002
Workbook
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English 4 (book and CDs)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: May 2005
Book only
Common Mistakes at Proficiency...And How to Avoid Them
Author: Debra Powell
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: February 2005
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English 3 (book and CDs)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: April 2004
Book only

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FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the Cambridge exams can be found at http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams.
You can download handbooks and sample papers for the exams from the page: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/resources/learner/index.html
For more details about study books produced by Cambridge University Press: http://www.cambridge.org/elt/catalogue/exams

If you are taking an exam course at a language school, your school will usually help to organise your entry for the exam.
If you are studying independently you need to contact one of the test centres: http://cambridgeesol-centres.org/centres/index.do
To book an exam at a London test centre, see: http://www.londonopencentre.org

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LINKS

FCE speaking test: English/Exams/Oral
Studying English: English/Study
Find an English language school: Course/Language

Home page: Home

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