{"id":3562,"date":"2025-05-02T15:51:40","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T14:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southbourneschool.co.uk\/?p=3562"},"modified":"2025-05-02T15:51:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T14:51:40","slug":"ar-cambridge-proven-ratt-for-dig","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southbourneschool.co.uk\/sv\/cambridge-exams-are-they-right-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Cambridge-prov \u2013 \u00e4r de r\u00e4tt f\u00f6r dig?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cambridge Exams
\n\u2013 <\/b><\/span>Are They Right for You?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n

In our last post<\/a>, we wrote about the different types of IELTS exam. However, many students make a different choice: <\/span>Cambridge English Qualifications<\/span><\/b> exams. But what are these exams, and how are they different from IELTS?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Types of Cambridge Exam<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

The two most popular Cambridge exams are the <\/span>B2 First<\/span><\/b><\/a> (also called <\/span>FCE<\/span><\/b>, its old name) and <\/span>C1 Advanced<\/span><\/b><\/a> (<\/span>CAE<\/span><\/b>) papers. If you pass these exams, it proves that you have that level of English.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Cambridge exams include <\/span>A2 Key<\/span><\/b> (KET), <\/span>B1 Preliminary<\/span><\/b> (PET) and <\/span>C2 Proficiency<\/span><\/b> (CPE). The A2, B1, and B2 exams also have \u2018School\u2019 versions, which are designed for students under the age of 18.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At Southbourne School of English, we offer <\/span>preparation courses for the FCE and CAE<\/span><\/b><\/a> papers, so that is what we will focus on in this article, but if you have questions about the other exams, please contact us!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the test format for the Cambridge Exams?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

All of the Cambridge exams are very similar, and test your skills with reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar. Overall, the exam takes <\/span>about 4-5 hours<\/span><\/b>, with every part happening on the same day. Below is a quick overview of the B2 First and C1 Advanced exam formats.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Reading and Use of English<\/span><\/b> exam is split into 7 or 8 parts. The types of questions you have to answer are always the same. For example, Part 1 is always a multiple-choice gap-fill exercise. It tests your understanding of grammar as well as how good your reading skill is.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Writing <\/span><\/b>test is in two parts. Part 1 is an essay about a topic you are given, and Part 2 gives you a choice of three different things to write. These could be, for example, a letter, an email, a report, or a review.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Listening<\/span><\/b> test is in four parts. Most of them are multiple choice \u2013 where you have to choose the right answer \u2013 but there is also a task where you must write words that you can hear.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Speaking <\/span><\/b>test is done in pairs or (sometimes) a group of three. There are four parts. Some of the parts, you will do alone \u2013 answering questions the examiner asks you \u2013 and sometimes you will have a conversation with your partner about a topic.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Exams are marked by grade according to the <\/span>Cambridge English Scale<\/span><\/b>. There are three grades for each exam: A, B and C, with A being the highest. In fact, <\/span>if you get a grade A, this means that your level of English is one level higher than the exam<\/span><\/b>! This means that if you get a grade A in the B2 First exam, for example, your certificate will say that you have a C1 level of English.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cambridge<\/p>\n

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What are the advantages of doing Cambridge exams?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n