Cambridge Exam Preparation Courses

The world-famous University of Cambridge exams are offered at both First Certificate and Advanced level. Courses start four times per year - in January, March, August and September.

Courses run four times a year and last for 10 or 12 weeks. In addition, we offer an intensive 4-week, 25 lessons per week FCE Exam preparation course (FCE4). The start dates for 2010 are as follows:

Course Duration Start Dates
First Certificate FCE4 4 weeks 2 August 2010
First Certificate FCE10 10 weeks 4 January 2010
First Certificate FCE12 12 weeks 22 March, 13 September 2010
Advanced CAE10 10 weeks 4 January 2010
Advanced CAE12 12 weeks 22 March, 13 September 2010

Please note: Our exam preparation courses may include non-exam students of the same level.

First Certificate (FCE)

The Cambridge First Certificate is an exam which tests English at an Upper Intermediate level. The exam covers writing, reading, grammar, listening and speaking. The course at British Study Centres will prepare you for all these different parts of the exam. In addition you will do a lot of work on areas of general English, so you certainly will not spend all your time doing practice exams! At the end of the course we want you to pass the exam but also to have learned a lot of English and to have enjoyed your stay.

Course Contents

09:15-12:05: Specialist coursebook class which focuses on exam practice techniques.

12:25-13:15: Speaking & Listening which is an extra opportunity for fluency practice.

Please note that the FCE4 intensive programme includes an extra 5 lessons which are taken 2 afternoons per week from 14:15 to 16:35.

Course Summary
Course code FCE4, FCE10, FCE12
Available in All centres
Course duration 4, 10 or 12 weeks
Minimum level Intermediate (B1), see pre-test section
Class size Average 11, maximum 14
Lessons per wk 20, 25 (FCE4)
Class times 09:15-13:15, Mon-Fri
14:15-16:35 two afternoons a week (FCE4)
Lesson duration 50 minutes
Exam price (not included) Approx. £110

Advanced (CAE)

The Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English is an exam that tests English at an Advanced level. It is a practical course relating to the world of work rather than academic purposes.

To gain entry to the course you should have achieved a level of English equivalent to Grade C or above at First Certificate level (TOEFL level at least 500 points).

All students who apply to do the course will be given a test to decide if their starting level is appropriate. The test also serves as a needs analysis, which enables the teacher to compile material to work on specific needs of the students in the class. Every month tutorials are held to assess progress and also to decide which areas need to be worked on.

The exam covers writing, reading, grammar, listening and speaking, and the course at BSC will prepare you for all these different parts of the exam. The course works across the skills base and concentrates on English in use. We look at past papers and work from a number of recommended books. The aim of the course is to give the student the necessary grounding to enable them to pass the exam, and also to have learned a lot of English. As in any exam the final outcome depends on student's motivation throughout the course.

Course Contents

09:15-12:05: Specialist coursebook class which focuses on exam practice techniques.

12:25-13:15: Speaking & Listening which is an extra opportunity for fluency practice.

Course Summary
Course code CAE10, CAE12
Available in All centres
Course duration 10 or 12 weeks
Minimum level Upper-Intermediate (C1), see pre-test section
Class size Average 10, maximum 14
Lessons per wk 20
Class times 09:15-13:15, Mon-Fri
Lesson duration 50 minutes
Exam price (not included) Approx. £110

Pre-Test

If you decide to take a First Certificate or an Advanced course we will send you an entry test to decide if you have the appropriate level to realistically pass the exam. This needs to be returned to us 2 weeks before the course. Acceptance on the course is subject to the result of this and an oral exam, which will be given on the first day. The test is also a needs analysis, which enables the teacher to compile material to work on the special needs of the students in the class. Every month tutorials are held to assess progress and also to help you and teacher decide which areas must be worked on.

How to Book an Exam

Once the course has commenced, the school will book a place for you. Please note that the exam fee of approximately £110 is not included in the course price.

More Information

For more information on the Cambridge exams, see the University of Cambridge Exams website.