Cambridge English Exams Courses at Academy International School of English, London from January 2008

Click here for 2008 School Fees and Course Study Programme.

Unlike many schools, we do not charge extra for exam or business courses, but places are offered first to students already at the School.

Cambridge First Certificate (FCE)
The most widely recognised English language exam in the world. A pass is proof that you can communicate effectively in English at an upper intermediate level, and is recognised by employers all over the world. The exam has 5 parts: listening, reading, writing, grammar and speaking. The total exam time is approximately 5 hours.

Cambridge Advanced (CAE)
Similar format to FCE, with 5 papers. As the name suggests, the level is more advanced. The exam is more practical, and is designed for people who need to use English as part of their work. The total exam time is approximately 6 hours.

Cambridge Proficiency (CPE)
The king of the Cambridge English exams. The format is the same as for FCE and CAE, but the level is much higher. This exam is recognised by British universities as satisfactory evidence of your level of English. The total exam time is approximately 5 hours.

See Cambridge Exam Board Web site <http://www.cambridge-efl.org/exam/englife/efl3.cfm>

The Cambridge Exams in Greater Detail
The Cambridge exams cover the four language skills - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. They include a range of tasks which assess your ability to use English. In preparing for the exams, you must develop the skills you need to make practical use of the language in a variety of contexts. Above all, the Cambridge exams assess your ability to communicate effectively and accurately in English in a wide range of situations and for almost any purpose. To join a Cambridge Course, you must take an Entry Test at the School. If your level is too low for the Course you wish to join, you will either join a more appropriate Cambridge Course or work in a General Class until you are ready for Cambridge studies.
Our Advice
The Cambridge Courses start in January for March, in March for June, and in September for December, but because there is so much to learn, it is a good idea to join a General Course at your level as soon as possible and then transfer to your Cambridge Course on the appropriate starting date. For dates, fees and booking, see the enclosed Course Calendar or check the School website.
Entries and results
The School will make the entry for you. The results and Certificates are normally sent to Academy International, but if you have left by the time they are published, will be forwarded from the School to your home address. You must pay the examination fee; we make a small additional charge for processing your entry.
CAMBRIDGE Key English Test (KET)
KET tests your ability to use English in everyday situations, for example, to follow directions, understand notices, say what you want, ask for help or information. KET covers listening, speaking, reading and writing at a basic level. We have no separate course for KET, but the School will enter you for it - if you wish. If you are successful, you will receive a certificate awarded by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. The exam takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. A good first step!
Cambridge Preliminary English Test (PET)
Intermediate to Upper Intermediate Level examination, recent but growing in popularity. There are 3 papers: Reading and writing (1 hour 30 min.); Listening (30 min. approx); Speaking (about 12 minutes). This is at a lower level than the level of the First Certificate and tests your ability to use the spoken and written language effectively in everyday situations. There is no separate course for this examination but the School will provide you with appropriate materials so that you may get used to the format. If you are studying at our Intermediate or Upper Intermediate level, you can enter for it.
Cambridge First Certificate (FCE)
The most widely recognised English language exam in the world. A pass is proof that you can communicate effectively in English at an upper intermediate level, and is recognised by employers all over the world. The exam has 5 parts: listening, reading, writing, grammar and speaking. The total exam time is a little under 5 hours.
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced ENGLISH (CAE)
Similar format to FCE, with 5 papers. As the name suggests, the level is more advanced. The exam is more practical than the CPE, and is designed for people who need to use English as part of their work or studies. The total exam time is approximately 5.75 hours. A good result is accepted by most universities and colleges throughout the world, as well, of course, by employers, both public and private.
CAMBRIDGE Certificate of proficiency in english (CPE)
The king of the Cambridge English exams. The format is the same as for FCE and CAE, but the level is much higher. This exam is recognised by British and almost all other universities as satisfactory evidence of your level of English, and, of course, by private and public employers almost everywhere. The total exam time is approximately 6 hours.
Cambridge Business English Certificates (BEC)
Vantage and Higher
The level is Upper Intermediate to Advanced. These examinations test your ability to use English in a general business environment. There are 4 papers: Reading (1 hour for both Vantage and Higher); Writing (45 min for Vantage and 1 hour 10 min for Higher); Listening (40 min for Vantage and Higher ); Speaking ( about 14 min for Vantage and 16 min for Higher). They are excellent evidence of your ability to cope in a business where English is an important or primary means of communication. Some universities accept the BEC exams as evidence of your ability to follow a business course conducted in English.
Though not specifically designed for the BEC courses, our General English Business Course is normally a suitable form of preparation for them.