Face-to-face Speaking test
Download a free pack of sample papers (zip file)
What’s in the Speaking paper?
The
Cambridge English: First Speaking test
has four parts and you take it together with another candidate. There
are two examiners. One of the examiners conducts the test (asks you
questions, gives you paper with things to talk about, and so on). The
other examiner listens to what you say and takes notes.
Summary
| Time allowed: |
14 minutes per pair of candidates |
| Number of parts: |
4 |
| Marks: |
20% of total |
| You have to talk: |
with the examiner
with the other candidate
on your own
|
Parts 1–4
Part 1 (Interview)
What's in Part 1? |
Conversation
with the examiner. The examiner asks questions and you may have to give
information about yourself, talk about past experiences, present
circumstances and future plans. |
| What do I have to practise? |
Giving information about yourself and expressing your opinion about various topics. |
| How long do I have to speak? |
3 minutes |
Practise Part 1
Now try Part 1 from the sample
Cambridge English: First Speaking paper.
Part 2 (Long turn)
What's in Part 2? |
The examiner
gives you a pair of photographs to talk about and you have to speak for
1 minute without interruption. The questions you have to answer about
your photographs are written at the top of the page to remind you what
you should talk about. When you have finished speaking, your partner
then has to answer a short question from the examiner about your
photographs. |
| What do I have to practise? |
Talking on your own about something: comparing, describing, expressing opinions. |
| How long do I have to speak? |
1 minute per candidate |
Practise Part 2
Now try Part 2 from the sample
Cambridge English: First Speaking paper.
Part 3 (Collaborative task)
What's in Part 3? |
Conversation
with the other candidate. The examiner gives you some pictures and a
decision-making task to do. You have to talk with the other candidate
and make a decision. |
| What do I have to practise? |
Exchanging
ideas, expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing,
suggesting, speculating, evaluating, reaching a decision through
negotiation, etc. |
| How long do we have to speak? |
3 minutes |
Practise Part 3
Now try Part 3 from the sample
Cambridge English: First Speaking paper.
Part 4 (Discussion)
What's in Part 4? |
Further discussion with the other candidate about the same topic as the task in Part 3. |
| What do I have to practise? |
Expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing. |
| How long do I have to speak? |
4 minutes |
Practise Part 4
Now try Part 4 from the sample
Cambridge English: First Speaking paper.
DOs and DON’Ts
DOs
- Make sure you are familiar with what happens, and what skills you need to show, in each part of the test.
- Practise speaking English as much as possible in groups and in pairs, both inside and outside the classroom.
- Listen carefully to the instructions and questions during the test and respond appropriately.
- Speak clearly, so that both the interlocutor and assessor can hear you.
- Use all the opportunities you're given in the test to speak, and extend your responses whenever possible.
- Ask for clarification of instructions or a question if you're not sure.
- Be prepared to initiate discussion as well as responding to what your partner says.
- Make full use of the time so that the examiner who is listening hears plenty of your English.
DON'Ts
- Don't prepare long answers in advance, or learn and practise speeches.
- Don't try to dominate your partner or interrupt them abruptly during the Speaking test.
- Don't leave long or frequent pauses.
- Don't worry about being interrupted by the
examiner. This shows you have spoken enough. The tests have to keep to
the time limit for administrative reasons.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How many marks is the Speaking test worth?
Reading, Writing, Listening, Use of English and Speaking are each worth 20% of the total score for the
Cambridge English: First exam.
Can I do the Speaking test with another student from my school?
This depends on the centre. In some centres, candidates
from the same school do the Speaking test together. In other centres,
where candidates from several different schools do the exam at the same
time, you may have a partner from another school. Check this with your
exam centre.
Do we speak to each other as well as to the examiner?
Yes. In Parts 1 and 2, you speak to the interlocutor
(the examiner who speaks to you) but in Part 3, you must discuss
something with the other candidate. In this part, you must speak to each
other and NOT to the interlocutor. In Part 4 you can speak to the
interlocutor or to your partner, or to both.
Do both examiners speak throughout the test?
No,
only the interlocutor speaks. The assessor is silent except for greeting and saying goodbye to you.
Does knowing your partner make it easier to do well?
There is no evidence that knowing your partner helps
you to perform better, or worse, in the Speaking test. Some people feel
more relaxed and confident when they do the test with someone they know,
but other candidates may find this situation difficult or unnatural. In
both cases, the examiners are trained to give all candidates equal
opportunities to show their abilities.
What happens if candidates are ‘mismatched’, for example by putting a shy person with an outgoing one?
Examiners are trained to manage this situation and
ensure that everyone has an equal chance to show their abilities during
the test. However, you must try to make the best use of the time to show
the examiners your language skills without dominating your partner.
What should I do if I don't understand the instructions?
You should ask the examiner to repeat the instructions.
What is done when there is only one candidate left at the end of a Speaking test session?
The last single candidate will be examined with the last pair to form a group of three.
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