Test format & sections
FCE/CAE/CPE Reading & Use of English
75–90m · 56 questions
Parts 1–4 test grammar and vocabulary precision. Part 4 (Key Word Transformation) is notoriously difficult — rewrite a sentence using a given word without changing the meaning, in exactly 2–5 words. Parts 5–7 test detailed comprehension and text structure. PET has no Use of English component at all — see the separate PET Reading section below.
FCE/CAE/CPE Writing
80m · 2 tasks
Both tasks: 220–260 words, ~40 min each. Marked on Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation, Language. Part 2 genres vary by exam level — FCE may include story; CPE may include proposal.
FCE/CAE/CPE Listening
40m · 30 questions
Each recording plays TWICE. Part 2 sentence completion requires exact spelling. Part 3 Multiple Matching: match 5 speakers to options from a shared list with distractors — one of the hardest listening tasks in any English test.
Speaking
14–28m (FCE/CAE/CPE) · 12–17m (PET) · 4 parts (usually with a partner)
Usually taken with another candidate. Part 3: you and your partner discuss together — the examiner observes. Scored on Grammar, Vocabulary, Discourse Management, Pronunciation, Interactive Communication. PET's Part 2 is simpler — one candidate describes ONE photo alone, not a comparison.
PET Reading
45m · 32 questions
A separate paper from Writing since the 2020 revision, with its own part numbering — no Use of English, no Key Word Transformation, no Word Formation. Parts 5–6 are PET's own shorter, simpler equivalent of the FCE/CAE/CPE cloze parts.
PET Writing
45m · 2 tasks
Much shorter than FCE/CAE/CPE Writing — no discursive essay, no report/proposal. Marked on the same four criteria (Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation, Language).
PET Listening
~30m (incl. transfer time) · 25 questions
Plays TWICE, same as FCE/CAE/CPE. Fewer questions and shorter recordings than the higher levels; Part 3's gap-fill still requires exact spelling.
How Cambridge English is scored
All papers contribute equally; raw marks converted to Cambridge Scale. A candidate who misses the pass threshold can receive a certificate one level below (e.g., a CAE candidate scoring 160–179 gets an FCE certificate; a PET candidate scoring 120–139 gets an A2 Key certificate).
Score levels
Typical requirements
Cambridge English frequently asked questions
Do Cambridge English certificates expire?
No — Cambridge English qualifications (PET, FCE, CAE, CPE) do not have an expiry date. Once earned, the certificate is valid for life. This is a significant advantage over IELTS and TOEFL, which expire after 2 years.
What are the main Cambridge English exams?
The general English suite, low to high: PET (B1 Preliminary) for pre-intermediate, FCE (B2 First) for upper-intermediate, CAE (C1 Advanced) for advanced learners, CPE (C2 Proficiency) for near-native level. There is also A2 Key (KET) below PET, and Cambridge English: Business for professional contexts. Memo Chat+ covers PET, FCE, CAE, and CPE.
How are Cambridge exams scored?
Scores are reported on the Cambridge English Scale (80–230), shared across all four levels. Each exam corresponds to a CEFR level range — e.g., CAE covers B2 to C2. A score of 180+ in the CAE earns at least a C1 certificate (Grade C = 180–192, Grade B = 193–199); only Grade A (200+) is high enough to certify C2. PET works the same way one level down: 140+ earns a B1 certificate, and an A (160+) certifies B2.
How are the Speaking and Writing components assessed?
Writing is marked by trained human examiners (not AI). Speaking is assessed face-to-face by two examiners — an interlocutor and an assessor. You are typically examined alongside one other candidate.
Are Cambridge certificates accepted for university admission?
Yes — CAE and CPE are widely accepted by universities in the UK, Europe, and beyond. Many UK universities accept a grade C or above in CAE as equivalent to IELTS 6.5. PET/FCE are more commonly used for secondary school or general-purpose requirements. Always check the specific institution's requirements.