Cambridge courses

Preparing for and taking Cambridge exams

Gabby Language School, as an examination centre, registers students for Cambridge exams.
The Cambrigde in General English can be taken at five levels. The most commonly taken Cambridge exams are FCE (First Certificate in English) and CAE (Certificate in Advanced English). The lower grades KET (Key English Test) and PET (Preliminary English Test) are for children and young people. The CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) level is more demanding. It is designed for students whose knowledge of English is at such a high level that they do not normally need to demonstrate their proficiency. The most common Cambrigde exams in Žilina are FCE and CAE.

What level should I apply for?

Anyone interested in taking the Cambridge exam is recommended to take the Gabby Language School entrance test. Please complete the test in its entirety from the lowest level to the highest level. Submit your test result and the test will be analysed again and a recommendation will be emailed back to you. The entrance test will determine your Cambridge exam grade.

How sure am I that I will get a Cambridge certificate?

If you sign up for the Cambridge exam preparation course you will take the written part of the Cambridge exam during the first few sessions. The tutor who conducts the exams will assess your oral presentation and give you a recommendation to register for the exam. In our experience, if you are recommended to sit the exam and you study responsibly, you will be successful in taking the Cambridge exam after the preparation course. You will apply for the exam after you have passed the mock exam.

What should I do if the entrance test has assessed my knowledge as insufficient for the Cambridge exam?

You should consult the Gabby Language School office, who will analyse your knowledge once again. It may be necessary to improve your knowledge by attending General English courses aimed at preparing students for future Cambridge examinations.
When the situation does not force you, it is better to increase your knowledge and get a better exam grade.

Is it necessary to attend a preparation course for the Cambridge exam?

Taking the exam and obtaining a Cambridge Certificate is not conditional on attending the Cambridge Exam preparation course. Due to the difficulty of the exam and the need to know the types of questions each student is advised to attend at least one Cambridge Exam preparation course. The student will gain confidence and get rid of exam nerves. By knowing the types of assignments in the exam, he/she will gain time and avoid mistakes due to misunderstanding the assignment. The student will get familiar with the common trick questions in Cambridge exams, thus he will gain a few points to his credit. Practicing the oral part with a tutor who is licensed to test will also give you a lot.

KET Certificate in English – Key English Test

The exam is at level A2 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference. It is suitable as a motivation for children and adolescents. The KET English Certificate for Schools follows the same format and scope as the KET, but is thematically adapted to the pupils’ experience.

Reading Comprehension + Writing – 1 hour and 10 minutes
Listening – approximately 30 minutes
Speaking – approximately 8-10 minutes in pairs
PET Certificate – Cambridge Certificate at Intermediate level

PET Certificate – Cambridge Certificate at Intermediate

levelThe PET exam is for candidates who have completed approximately 2 years of language learning and are at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The exam is suitable as a motivational tool for teenagers or as a language qualification for receptionists or junior administrative staff. The PET for Schools exam is tailored to the experience of primary school pupils.

Reading Comprehension + Writing – 1 hour and 30 minutes
Listening – approximately 40 minutes
Speaking – approximately 10-12 minutes in pairs

FCE – FCE certificate at Upper-Intermediate level

FCE (First Certificate in English) is the most widely used of all Cambridge ESOL exams. According to the Council of Europe, the FCE corresponds to B2 level of proficiency. The exam is internationally recognised and required in both study and practice. It is suitable for both students and workers and has also helped many unemployed people to gain employment. The FCE is an exam for all candidates who are able to use everyday English in spoken and written form at Upper-intermediate level. It consists of speaking, reading, writing, grammar and listening sections.

The FCE certificate is issued by Cambridge English Language Assessment approximately two months after the exam. The date of issue is fixed and is determined by Cambridge English Language Assessment. Candidates are notified by email when they receive their certificate at our examination centre.

Reading / Reading Comprehension – 1 hour
Writing – 1 hour and 20 minutes
Use of English / Language in Context – 45 minutes
Listening – approximately 40 minutes
Speaking – 14 minutes

CAE Certificate – Certificate in Advanced English

The exam is at level C1 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference. In many UK universities, this exam is a language entry requirement.

Reading / Reading Comprehension – 1 hour
Writing – 1 hour and 30 minutes
Use of English / Language in Context – 1 hour
Listening – approximately 45 minutes
Speaking – 15 minutes

CPE – Certificate at Proficient level

Reading / Reading Comprehension – 1 hour 30 minutes, the task is to understand the meaning of an English text at word, paragraph and whole text level.
Writing – 2 hours, the task is to write a piece of writing such as a short story, letter, report or composition of approximately 300-350 words each.
Use of English / Language in Context – 1 hour 30 minutes, tests knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and ability to summarise information.
Listening – approx. 40 minutes, tests understanding of different types of recordings such as reports, lectures, public announcements.
Speaking – 19 minutes, conducted in pairs or trios and tests the ability to engage in different types of interaction with the examiner, the other candidate and oneself
The FCE certificate is issued by Cambridge English Language Assessment approximately two months after the exam. The date of issue is fixed and is determined by Cambridge English Language Assessment. Candidates are notified by email when they receive their certificate at our examination centre.