Course Features
- Course start Mondays
- Number of lessons 5 to 10 per week
- Minutes per lesson 180
- Duration From 1 week
- Levels All levels
- Level Test Online
- Timetable Depending on intensity
- Ages 16 +
Our pass rate for exams is 98% and we offer support for all of the main English exams. The Cambridge English exam suite has levels according to the Common European Language Framework (CEFR) includes the following exams:
- KET (Key English – A2, elementary)
- PET (Preliminary English – B1, intermediate)
- FCE (First Certificate of English – B2, upper-intermediate)
- CAE (Cambridge English Advanced – C1, advanced)
- CPE (Cambridge English Proficiency – C2, proficient)
Our highly-rated IELTS and BEC courses are covered on other pages.
English exam courses at Nacel English School London
We run separate, specialised FCE, CAE and CPE exam courses up to 5 days a week, which gives you lots of exam question practice for each section of the test along with helpful feedback and exam tips to get you a higher score. We carefully monitor your progress with mock exams and tell you when you’re ready to pass the FCE, CAE, or CPE exam. You will learn the layout of the exam and what to expect as well as useful language to raise your grades using one of our exam-specific coursebooks.
For students who want to pass KET or PET, we offer mock exams and one-to-one advice in addition to your General English course rather than a KET or PET exam course. This is because, at that level, it is more helpful to focus on the language than the test layout. Studying for an exam at B1 is very popular with our students who want to apply for a UK private hire drivers’ licence and become taxi drivers.
What’s the difference between IELTS and CAE (Cambridge Advanced)?
While both tests are designed by Cambridge Assessment English and have speaking, reading, listening and writing parts, there are important differences. For example, CAE (as well as KET, PET, FCE and CPE) has a Use of English section which includes grammar and vocabulary questions and the exam is longer, around four hours.
IELTS scores are valid for two years and then you need to take the test again, but the CAE/FCE/CPE tests do not expire. CAE is designed for a specific level (C1), but IELTS is for everyone from elementary to advanced. IELTS speaking tests are with the examiner only, while the CAE speaking section involves speaking with a partner who is also taking the test.
Finally, IELTS gives you a level from 4.0 (B1) to 9.0 (C2) and you can’t fail the test. However, examiners grade CAE like a school test, from C (OK) to A (excellent) and you can fail the exam if you don’t achieve the minimum marks needed.
Do you need to pass an English exam? We can help you with specialised courses, mock exam practice, and personal feedback. Our Cambridge Exam Courses are for people who need to get good scores on the FCE, CAE, and CPE tests.
Which exam do I need?
If you need to demonstrate your level of English for your job or university application, it’s best to contact the organisation directly and ask them which exam you need to take. Most universities in the UK will accept either CAE or a high academic IELTS grade.
FCE and CAE are accepted by lots of employers, universities and government organisations, although some prefer IELTS, so check before you book your test.
Studying for a Cambridge ESOL exam can get you a job or place at a university in the UK. Our FCE, CAE and CPE courses focus on questions and exam strategies for those specific tests. You will learn advanced English grammar and vocabulary to use in your exam as well as lots of exam-style practice questions and be given the opportunity to do graded mock exams. By the end of the course, you will know exactly what to expect on the day of the exam, including the format of the test and common exam questions. You will also have the knowledge and confidence that comes from great preparation and professional support.