FCE exam-day guide
FCE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID matching your registration
Bring the same ID type and name you registered with. Rules on acceptable ID vary by centre, so confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a signature is required.
Printed or saved exam appointment confirmation
Your confirmation shows the centre address, arrival time and any candidate number. Save an offline copy on your phone as well as a printout, since some centres ask to see it at reception.
Centre location and travel plan checked in advance
Visit or map the exact building entrance the day before if you can. Large centres can have multiple entrances and rooms, and arriving at the wrong one wastes time on the morning.
Pens, pencils, eraser and sharpener
The Reading and Use of English, Listening and Writing papers are answered in pen or pencil depending on centre instructions; confirm with the provider. Bring at least two pens and two pencils so a failure does not cost you time.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Many centres allow water in a clear bottle with the label off. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are permitted at your desk, because rules differ between venues.
Watch (non-smart, silent)
Some rooms have no visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch with alarms disabled helps you pace the Reading and Writing papers. Smart watches are almost always prohibited; confirm with the provider.
Layers of clothing you can remove
Exam halls can be cold or stuffy. Dressing in layers lets you adjust without distraction. Avoid clothing with large slogans or hoods that centres may ask you to remove.
No notes, phones or smart devices at your desk
Phones must normally be switched off and stored away from your desk, often in a bag at the front or back of the room. Confirm with the provider where devices must be left.
Snack and drink for the break
The Listening paper often follows a short break after Reading and Use of English. A quick snack and water help concentration. Check with the provider whether food is allowed outside the exam room.
A short, practised Speaking Part 1 self-introduction
Be ready to answer simple personal questions fluently. Practise saying your name, where you are from, your studies or work, and hobbies in clear, natural sentences rather than memorised speeches.
A calm pre-exam routine
Plan to arrive with time to spare, use the toilet before the papers start, and do a few minutes of silent reading or vocabulary review rather than last-minute cramming. Confirm the provider's recommended arrival time.
Plan the day
Do a full timed mock of one paper, ideally Reading and Use of English, under exam conditions. Mark it honestly and list the two or three question types that cost you most marks. Spend the remaining days on those types only, not on new material.
Review your Writing portfolio. Re-read two or three pieces you have written and check them against the task requirements: content, communicative achievement, organisation and language. Prepare a mental checklist for planning, writing and checking within the time limit.
Practise Speaking with a partner or record yourself. Focus on Part 2 (comparing two photographs for about a minute), Part 3 (interacting with your partner) and Part 4 (discussion questions). Time each part so you know how long one minute feels.
Check your centre details: address, arrival time, what to bring and the ID policy. If anything is unclear, contact the provider now rather than on the morning of the exam.
Do light review only: skim your vocabulary notebook, common collocations, linking words and typical Writing structures. Do not start a new mock or learn new grammar; it adds anxiety without improving performance.
Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, pens, pencils, eraser, water and snack. Lay out clothes. Set two alarms and plan your journey with a buffer for delays. Aim for a normal night's sleep.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the centre with time to spare. Switch your phone off before entering the building and keep it out of the exam room. Use the toilet before the papers begin.
Keep an eye on the clock and allocate time per section. Do not spend too long on one gap; mark uncertain answers and return if time allows. Transfer answers clearly and check spelling in the word-formation and key word transformation tasks.
Read both tasks carefully, choose the one you can answer best, and spend a few minutes planning. Leave time to check for tense, agreement, spelling and word-count errors. Write legibly and stay within the required word range.
Read the questions before each recording starts and predict what kind of answer is needed. Write answers as you listen, then use the pause to check spelling and grammar. Do not panic if you miss one item; move on and stay with the next question.
Speak clearly and at a natural pace. In Part 2, compare the photographs and answer the question rather than describing every detail. In Part 3, respond to your partner and develop the discussion; in Part 4, give reasons and examples. Ask the examiner to repeat a question if you did not hear it.
Rules to check
Bring the ID required by your centre and keep it on your desk if instructed. The exact ID policy, including whether a signature or photograph is required, varies; confirm with the provider before exam day.
Arrive at the time stated in your confirmation. Centres may refuse entry to candidates who arrive late, and the cut-off time is set by the provider, so confirm it in advance.
Switch off phones and all smart devices and store them as instructed, away from your desk. Using or even holding an unauthorised device during the exam can lead to disqualification.
Do not bring notes, textbooks, dictionaries or unauthorised aids into the exam room unless the provider explicitly permits them for a specific paper.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times, including when to start, stop writing and leave the room. If you need to leave for the toilet, raise your hand and wait to be escorted; centre rules on toilet breaks vary.
Communicate only with invigilators during the exam. Talking to other candidates, looking at their work or attempting to share answers is treated as malpractice.
If you believe there is a problem with your paper, such as a missing page or unclear printing, tell an invigilator immediately rather than trying to work around it.
Results and certificates are issued according to the provider's timetable and grading scale. Check the official results date and how to access your statement with the provider rather than relying on second-hand information.