FCE

SPEAKING GUIDE
Exam day tips
Exam structure and tasks
Tips for the Speaking Paper
Useful phrases
How to prepare it
Sample activities
Assessment scale
Correction grid

Exam day tips: Cambridge English Speaking tests

(not including Cambridge English: Young Learners)

For tips for paper-based and computer-based exams see www.cambridgeenglish.org/exam-day-tips

For more information on our exams, go to www.cambridgeenglish.org

Before the test

What to bring to the test

On the test day

At the end of the test

Check the date, time and address. Your

centre will send you this information. If
you have any questions, contact your
centre before the day of the test.
Remember to check how long it will
take you to travel to the venue.
Get to the venue early. Follow the
directions to find the waiting area or go
to the reception of the building and ask
for directions.

Bring your identification (ID), for

example a passport or national ID card.
It must be an original (not a copy) with
a photo of you.

Turn off anything electronic (for

example, your mobile phone) when you
arrive at the venue.
The centre may take your photo for
identification after the test.
The supervisor will:
check your ID
give you your mark sheet. Please do
not fold it
tell you where to wait, and take you
to the test room.
Follow the instructions and wait quietly
for your test.
While waiting for your test you can
practise your English by talking to
the other candidates quietly in the
waitingarea.
Your supervisor will tell you where to
put your bag during the test.
If you have any questions or problems,
tell the supervisor immediately.

UCLES 2013 CE/2129/3Y11

Please leave quietly.

You must not speak to other
candidates waiting to do their test.

Good luck with

your test!

FCE TIPS FOR SPEAKING PAPER

(14 min)
DO

Make sure you are familiar with what happens, and what skills you need to
show, in each part of the test.
Practise speaking English as much as possible in groups and in pairs, both
inside and outside the classroom.
Listen carefully to the instructions and questions during the test and respond
appropriately.
Speak clearly, so that both the interlocutor and assessor can hear you.
Use all the opportunities you're given in the test to speak, and extend your
responses whenever possible.
Ask for clarification of instructions or a question if you're not sure.
Be prepared to initiate discussion as well as responding to what your partner
says.
Make full use of the time so that the examiner who is listening hears plenty of
your English.
Listen to your partner when it is their turn to speak.

Part 1 Conversation between the examiner and candidate (2 min)

Try to sound natural. Dont learn a speech off by heart.
Avoid one- or two-word answers or answers that are long and complicated.
You can prepare for this part of the interview by making sure you can talk about
yourself, your home, your family, your hobbies, etc
Listen carefully to the question and answer exactly what is asked
Part 2 Individual long turn and brief response from the 2nd candidate. (4 min: 1
min each photograph, 30 sec each question)
In this part you must compare the two colour photographs you are given and
answer a question. When you compare them say what the two photographs have
in common and how they are different and dont forget to answer the question.
Tip: answer the question given at the same time you compare the photographs.
You are supposed to speak for a full minute. Practise speaking for a minute, so
you know how this feels.
The examiner will ask you to comment on your partners photographs. You have
about 30 seconds for this.
Dont interrupt when your partner is speaking. Use a few sentences to answer
the question you are asked after your partner has spoken.

Part 3 Discussion with five prompts between candidates (4 min)

Work together with your partner. Discuss the question and the ideas and decide
on an answer together.
Involve your partner in the discussion. Your contribution and your partners
contribution to the discussion should be equal.
Practise expressions used for giving your opinion and agreeing/disagreeing, such
as in my opinion, Im afraid I dont agree, etc.
Dont make a decision too quickly. Look at the ideas first, give your opinion
about them, ask your partners opinion.
After 3 min you will be asked to make a decision (1 min)
Remember you dont have to agree with your partner. What is more important is
reaching a decision.
Part 4 - Discussion on topics related to Part 3 (4 min)
Dont interrupt when your partner is speaking, but be ready to give your opinion
after your partner has finished.
It doesnt matter if you agree or disagree with your partner, but it is important to
give reasons for your opinion.
The examiner will encourage you to develop the topic of your discussion in this
part by asking some questions.
DON'T

Don't prepare long answers in advance, or learn and practise speeches.

Don't try to dominate your partner or interrupt them abruptly during the
Speaking test.
Don't leave long or frequent pauses.
Don't worry about being interrupted by the examiner. This shows you have
spoken enough. The tests have to keep to the time limit for administrative
reasons.

FCE SPEAKING - Assessment

Name:_______________________________________

GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY

Control & range of gr

DISCOURSE MANAGEMENT
Extent

Mark: ___ (out of 5)

Range & appropiacy of vocab

Mark: ___ (out of 5)

Relevance, cohesion & coherence

PRONUNCIATION
Intelligibility

INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATION
Initiating & Responding

GLOBAL ACHIEVEMENT

FCE SPEAKING Assessment

Mark: ___ (out of 5)

Sounds

Mark: ___ (out of 5)

Development

Mark: ___ (out of 5)

Name:_______________________________________

GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY

Control & range of gr

DISCOURSE MANAGEMENT
Extent

Mark: ___ (out of 5)

Range & appropiacy of vocab

Mark: ___ (out of 5)

Relevance, cohesion & coherence

PRONUNCIATION
Intelligibility

Mark: ___ (out of 5)

Sounds

INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATION
Initiating & Responding

GLOBAL ACHIEVEMENT

Mark: ___ (out of 5)

Development

Mark: ___ (out of 5)