Cambridge Exams have been at the forefront the English language exam market for decades. Offering exams across all ages and levels, Cambridge Exams are well known and popular around the world to certify your level of English.
Our goal at Breakout English is to create Cambridge exam materials for B1 Preliminary PET, B2 First FCE and C1 Advanced CAE that are easy to use, challenging and engaging for teachers and learners of English.
Materials for Cambridge Exams
How to use Breakout English’s materials for Cambridge exams
At Breakout English, the goal is to create quality materials that can be taken into class and used without having to change, edit or redesign them. We don’t want to dictate exactly what you should teach your students. In fact, our materials for Cambridge Exams should fit right into any exam preparation course.
Think of it like a activity bank that you can find at the back of a teacher’s book. Or like a workbook activity that will reinforce your student’s learning. Some of the materials here may fill up the bulk of a lesson. However, most of them are designed to be supplementary materials that can be taken into the classroom and used to improve or expand upon whatever you may be teaching. They are not full lesson plans, but rather lesson boosters.
Learners preparing for their Cambridge exams can also use Breakout English materials for self-study.
Why PET, FCE and CAE materials?
Cambridge has a huge variety of English assessments that they organise and run globally. So you might ask, why does Breakout English only have materials for 3 exams?
The answer lies in the fact that these exams is where we have the bulk of our experience. Limited materials for Key (KET) and Proficiency (CPE) may come about in the future. Watch this space.
What are Cambridge exams?
Cambridge is a huge international institution. First and foremost, you have the world-class Cambridge University in Cambridge, England. This is where Cambridge English exams originated.
Since then, they have evolved, developed and become an institution of their own. Cambridge Assessment is a department of Cambridge University which runs and operates Cambridge English exams in 170 countries. First established in 1858, Cambridge exams have become the most recognised and valuable English language certifications in the world.
Cambridge English exams
On the Cambridge English Assessment website there are no less than 14 separate exams listed. In fact, those 14 don’t even include other exams like IELTS, which are only partially owned and run by Cambridge.
At Breakout English, we have focussed on the B1 Preliminary (PET), B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) examinations. This is because they are arguably the most popular exams around the world.
Preliminary (PET)
The Cambridge Preliminary (PET) exam is a B1 level certification which proves that a successful candidate possesses the ability to communicate in everyday situations and that they have mastered the basics of English.
It includes four separate sections which cover the essential language skills required at this level. The Reading and Writing sections are completed together, but evaluated and weighted to your final mark individually.
- Reading – 45 minutes – 6 tasks
- Writing – 45 minutes – 2 tasks
- Listening – approximately 30 minutes – 4 tasks
- Speaking – 10-12 minutes – 4 tasks
Find PET materials here on Breakout English which help your students achieve the necessary level to take home a B1 certificate.
First (FCE)
Cambridge First (FCE) is a popular English language certification at B2 level. The final goal of the First Certificate is that a successful candidate is ready to work or study in an English speaking country. For this reason, it includes elements of formal and informal language along with an in depth analysis of the skills ans structures expected at the B2 level.
The First Certificate exam introduces candidates to a new section, Use of English, that didn’t exist at B1 level, bringing the total to 5 sections. The Reading and Use of English sections are completed together, but they are evaluated and marked separately.
- Reading & Use of English – 1 hour and 15 minutes – 4 Reading tasks, 3 Use of English tasks
- Writing – 1 hour and 20 minutes – 2 tasks
- Listening – approximately 40 minutes – 4 tasks
- Speaking – 14 minutes – 4 tasks
Find FCE materials on Breakout English which help your students reach a higher level and take the exam with confidence.
Advanced (CAE)
Cambridge Advanced (CAE) is a C1 level examination that demands the most of its candidates. A successful candidate at this level has proven that they are fully capable of living, working and studying in an English speaking country. This qualification is also proof of the candidate’s ability to perform in an professional international setting.
The format of the Advanced Certificate exam holds few surprises for those familiar with the First Certificate. It consists of 5 sections, of which the Reading and Use of English sections are completed together, but marked separately.
- Reading & Use of English – 1 hour and 30 minutes – 5 Reading tasks, 3 Use of English tasks
- Writing – 1 hour and 30 minutes – 2 tasks
- Listening – approximately 40 minutes – 4 tasks
- Speaking – 15 minutes – 4 tasks
Breakout English designs CAE materials that demand the most of your students and ensure that they are ready for the CAE exam.
What about other exams?
Trinity ISE exams have been increasing in popularity over the last few years and there is a need for quality materials online. Materials for ISE exams can be found here:
And IELTS materials can be found here:
