CPE has five papers:

Reading 1 hour 30 minutes

You will need to be able to understand the meaning of written English at word, sentence, paragraph and whole text level.

Writing 2 hours

You will have to show you can produce a number of different items such as a short story, a letter, an article, a report or a composition, each of about 300—350 words.

Use of English 1 hour 30 minutes

Your use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary and how well you can summarise information.

Listening: 40 minutes(approx)

You need to show you can understand the meaning of a range of spoken material, including lectures, news programmes and public announcements.

Speaking: 19 minutes

You will take the Speaking test with another candidate or in groups of three, and you will be tested on your ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other candidates and by yourself.

Cambridge English: Advanced has five papers – each carries 20% of the total marks.

Reading: 1 hour 15 minutes

Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text.

Writing: 1 hour 30 minutes

Requires you to be able to write a variety of different items; such as essays, proposals, reports and reviews.

Use of English: 1 hour

Tests your ability to use the right words, tenses and idioms in the right situation, at the right time.

Listening: 40 minutes

Requires being able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials; such as lectures, speeches and interviews.

Speaking: 15 minutes

Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations. You will take the test with one or two other candidates.

FCE has five papers:

Reading: 1 hour

You will need to be able to understand information in fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines.

Writing: 1 hour 20 minutes

You will have to show you can produce two different pieces of writing such as a short story, a letter, an article, a report, a review or an essay.

Use of English: 45 minutes

Your use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well you control your grammar and vocabulary.

Listening: 40 minutes

You need to show you can understand the meaning of a range of spoken material, including news programmes, speeches, stories and anecdotes and public announcements.

Speaking: 14 minutes

You will take the Speaking test with another candidate or in a group of three, and you will be tested on your ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other candidates and by yourself.

PET has three papers:

Reading and Writing: 1 hour 30 minutes

You need to be able to read texts from signs, journals, newspapers and magazines and understand the main points. You will need to show you can use vocabulary and structure by completing tasks such as writing a short message, and a story or letter of around 100 words. You will also need to complete an exercise involving changing the meaning of sentences.

Listening: 30 minutes(approx)

You will need to show you can understand the meaning of a range of recorded spoken material, including announcements and discussions about everyday life. You need to be able to follow the attitudes and intentions of the speakers.

Speaking: 10-12 minutes

Candidates take the Speaking test in pairs. You have to show your spoken English by taking part in conversation, asking and answering questions, and talking freely about your likes and dislikes.

KET has three papers:

Reading and Writing: 1 hour 10 minutes

You will need to be able to understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. You will also have to fill gaps in simple sentences and write a short piece of around 25 words.

Listening: 30 minutes

You need to show your ability to understand announcements and other spoken material when spoken reasonably slowly.

Speaking: up to 10 minutes

You will need to demonstrate you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Speaking tests are normally held with two candidates.