Cambridge: First

The Cambridge English: First (FCE) 

is one of the exams offered by the University of Cambridge and is equivalent to the level B2 of the Common European Framework / Upper Intermediate.

The updated exam (for exam sessions from January 2015) is made up of four papers developed to test your English language skills:
1. Reading & Use of English -75 minutes
2. Writing - 2 essays, 80 minutes
3. Listening - 40 minutes  
4. Speaking - interview, normally with another candidate, 14 minutes
The Speaking test is taken face to face, with two candidates and two examiners. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to use English to communicate.

A Cambridge: First qualification shows that you can:
• communicate effectively face-to-face, expressing opinions and presenting arguments,
• follow the news,
• write clearly, detailed English, express opinions and explain the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view,
• write letters, reports, stories and other types of text

The Cambridge: First is recognized by many universities and accepted for entry to foundation/pathway/pre-sessional courses in English-speaking countries. It is also accepted for entry to undergraduate programmes taught in the medium of English in non-English-speaking countries.  In addition, it is also recognized by companies around the world.

Source:  www.cambridgeenglish.org