The Cambridge English: First exam has been updated, reducing the number of papers from five to four. Reading and Use of English have been combined into a single paper assessing language knowledge and reading comprehension. Several parts in Reading and Use of English, Writing, and Speaking have been modified, including reducing the number of questions and revising time limits and tasks. The changes aim to streamline the exam format and assessment areas.
The Cambridge English: First exam has been updated, reducing the number of papers from five to four. Reading and Use of English have been combined into a single paper assessing language knowledge and reading comprehension. Several parts in Reading and Use of English, Writing, and Speaking have been modified, including reducing the number of questions and revising time limits and tasks. The changes aim to streamline the exam format and assessment areas.
The Cambridge English: First exam has been updated, reducing the number of papers from five to four. Reading and Use of English have been combined into a single paper assessing language knowledge and reading comprehension. Several parts in Reading and Use of English, Writing, and Speaking have been modified, including reducing the number of questions and revising time limits and tasks. The changes aim to streamline the exam format and assessment areas.
The updated exam will have four papers instead of five. Reading and Use of English have been combined into a single paper assessing language knowledge and reading skills:
UNTIL DECEMBER 2014 FROM MARCH 2015 Paper 1: Reading (1 h) Paper 1: Reading and Use of English (1h 15 min) Paper 2: Writing (1 h 20 min) Paper 2: Writing (1 h 20 min) Paper 3: Use of English (45 min) Paper 3: Listening (40 min) Paper 4: Listening (40 min) Paper 4: Speaking (14 min) Paper 5: Speaking (14 min)
Reading and Use of English
UNTIL DECEMBER 2014 FROM MARCH 2015
USE OF ENGLISH
READING AND USE OF ENGLISH PART 1: Multiple choice cloze (12 questions)
PART 1: Multiple choice cloze (8 questions)
PART 2: Open cloze (12 questions)
PART 2: Open cloze (8 questions)
PART 3: Word formation (10 questions)
PART 3: Word formation (8 questions)
PART 4: Key Word Transformation (8 questions)
PART 4: Key Word Transformation (6 questions)
READING PART 1: Multiple choice: A text followed by 8 multiple-choice questions
PART 5: Multiple choice: A text followed by 6 multiple-choice questions
PART 2: Gapped text: 7 questions
PART 6: Gapped text: 6 questions
PART 3: Multiple matching: 15 multiple- matching questions
PART 7: Multiple matching: 10 multiple-matching questions
Writing
UNTIL DECEMBER 2014 FROM MARCH 2015 PART 1 (COMPULSORY TASK): Writing a letter or email Length: 120-150 words
PART 1 (COMPULSORY TASK): Writing an essay Length: 140-190 words
PART 2: Candidates have a choice of task Questions 2-4: an article, an essay, a letter, a report, a review, a story
Question 5: (two options) Writing one of the two options based on one of the two prescribed reading texts
Length: 120-180 words PART 2: Candidates have a choice of task Questions 2-4: article, email / letter, report, review
Set texts will no longer be used
Length: 140-190 words
Listening UNTIL DECEMBER 2014 FROM MARCH 2015 PART 1: Multiple choice. (8 questions) Eight short unrelated extracts. One multiple choice question per extract.
PART 1: Multiple choice. (8 questions) Eight short unrelated extracts. One multiple choice question per extract. PART 2: Sentence completion (10 questions) Candidates complete sentences with information heard in the recording
PART 2: Sentence completion (10 questions) Candidates complete sentences with information heard in the recording
PART 3: Multiple matching (5 questions) Five short monologues. There are five questions which require the selection of the correct option from a list of six.
PART 3: Multiple matching (5 questions) Five short monologues. There are five questions which require the selection of the correct option from a list of eight.
PART 4: Multiple choice. (7 questions) Monologue or text involving interacting speakers.
PART 4: Multiple choice. (7 questions) Monologue or text involving interacting speakers.
Speaking
UNTIL DECEMBER 2014 FROM MARCH 2015 PART 1: Conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate (3 minutes).
PART 1: Conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate (2 minutes).
PART 2: Individual long turn by each candidate (photographs to talk about -1 minute per candidate), with a response from the second candidate (20 seconds)
PART 2: Individual long turn by each candidate (photographs to talk about -1 minute per candidate), with a response from the second candidate (30 seconds)
PART 3: Two-way conversation between candidates. Candidates are given spoken instructions with written and visual stimuli. (3 minutes)
PART 3: Two-way conversation between candidates. Candidates are given spoken instructions with written stimuli. Students discuss the question given using the ideas provided. They are given 15 seconds to look at the task (The discussion takes 2 minutes)
When candidates finish, the examiner asks them to make a decision. For example: Now talk to each other about why these ideas would attract more tourists to the town. Candidates have 1 minute to reach a decision.
PART 4: A discussion on topics related to the task in Part 3.
PART 4: A discussion on topics related to the task in Part 3.