Frequently Asked Questions

Which reading texts are available for the FCE, CAE and CPE tests?

Please see the details given under the examinations calendar

Shelf life of certificates?
We are sometimes asked how long the Cambridge EFL certificates last, or whether a candidate who took an exam some years ago needs to retake the exam.
The simple answer is that the certificates do not expire. They show that on a particular date the holder demonstrated that they had attained the specified level of language skills. For most candidates, the certificate is the result of a specific preparation course and serves as a mark of achievement in completing the course successfully. Of course, people do forget things, and language skills can become rusty. In deciding whether to rely on a certificate obtained some years ago, educational institutions and employers need to take into account a number of factors, most importantly whether the holder has kept up his or her use of the language and whether the level of the certificate is significantly higher than that required for the job or course in question.

Can I withdraw my application and am I reimbursed?
If you withdraw due to health issues, the St. Gallen center will reimburse you for one third of the exam costs. A doctor’s certificate must be sent to the office within 10 days of the exam. We will not reimburse you for any other reasons.

Can I choose the date and time of my Speaking Test?
Please see the timetable under registration for the speaking dates. Please do not hesitate to contact the office if there are any inquiries.

Can I transfer my entry from one examination session to a later one or from one examination level to another?
Neither of these are possible.

When do I know the exact venue, time and Speaking Test date for my examination?
The Attendance Timetables are dispatched approximately 4 weeks prior to the examination.

When and how do I receive my results?
Results can be expected approximately 10 weeks after the written examination. The results are downloaded online. The certificate will be sent at a later date.

Are my examination papers returned to me?
No. Papers remain the property of Cambridge ESOL and under no circumstances are these released to candidates, schools or centers.

Can I receive further feedback about my results?
All available information is already on the candidate's result slip. There is no additional feedback possible.

Can I receive information about exam preparation courses and schools through the centre?
The centre is unable to give information or recommendations of this type.

Further Resources

Direct links have been included as appropriate to information on the main University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, English as a Foreign Language Division Website in England. For enquiries in the following areas, please proceed directly to www.cambridge-efl.org.uk:

• Detailed information about each level of the Cambridge EFL Examinations
• Recognition of the certificates by Universities and employers.
• Centres elsewhere in the world where you can enter to take these examinations.
• Newsletters / Research notes