The Speaking Test

Format
The paired format for the FCE Speaking test (two examiners
and two candidates) offers candidates the opportunity to
demonstrate, in a controlled but friendly environment, their
ability to use their spoken language skills effectively. The test
takes 14 minutes. One examiner, the interlocutor, conducts the
test and gives a global assessment of each candidate’s
performance. The other, the assessor, does not take any part in
the interaction but focuses solely on listening to, and making
an assessment of, each candidate’s oral proficiency.
At the end of the Speaking test, candidates are thanked for
attending. They are given no indication of the level of their
achievement.
The standard format is two examiners and two candidates. In
cases where there is an uneven number of candidates at a
centre, the last Speaking test of the session will be taken by
three candidates together instead of two. When three
candidates are tested together, the test format, test material
and procedure will remain unchanged, but the timing will be
longer: 20 minutes instead of 14.
The Speaking test consists of four parts, each of which is
assessed. Each part of the test focuses on a different type of
interaction: between the interlocutor and each candidate,
between the two candidates, and among all three. The
patterns of discourse vary within each part of the test.
PART 1: INTERVIEW
This part tests the candidates’ ability to use social and interactional
language.
Part 1 gives candidates the opportunity to show their ability to
use general social and interactional language and to give basic
personal information about themselves. The questions which
are asked relate to the candidates’ own lives and focus on
areas such as work, leisure time and future plans. Candidates
are expected to respond to the interlocutor’s questions, and to
listen to what their partner has to say.
The candidates are not actively invited to talk to each other in
this part of the test, though they may if they wish. This short
social exchange is a natural way to begin an interaction, and it
gives candidates time to settle before dealing with the more
specific tasks in Parts 2, 3 and 4.
PART 2: LONG TURN
This part tests the candidates’ ability to produce an extended piece of
discourse.
In Part 2, candidates are given the opportunity to speak for 1
minute without interruption. Each candidate is asked to
compare two colour photographs, and to make a further
comment about them in response to a task that is read out by
the interlocutor. A prompt is given to the candidates in the
form of a direct question; this is written above the
photographs. Candidates are expected to point out the
similarities and differences between the photographs and
then move on to deal with the question.
Candidates have the opportunity to show their ability to
organise their thoughts and ideas, and express themselves
coherently with appropriate language. The listening candidate
is also asked to comment briefly (for about 20 seconds) after
their partner’s long turn. They should not speak during their
partner’s long turn.
PART 3: COLLABORATIVE TASK
This part tests the candidates’ ability to engage in a discussion and
to work towards a negotiated outcome of the task set.
In Part 3, candidates are given oral instructions and provided
with a visual stimulus (several photographs or pieces of
artwork) to form the basis for a task which they carry out
together. They are expected to discuss each visual, expressing
and justifying opinions, evaluating and speculating, in order to
work towards a negotiated decision towards the end of the
task. The instructions make these two parts of the task clear:
‘First, talk to each other about …’. ‘Then decide …’. The
decision should only be made after the candidates have
explored each of the issues as illustrated by the pictures, and
they are assessed on their ability to use the language of
negotiation and collaboration while doing this. However, they
are not penalised if they fail to reach a negotiated decision.
Written prompts, in the form of questions, appear above the
visuals on the candidates’ sheet to help them focus on the
task.
There is no right or wrong answer to the task. The task gives
candidates the opportunity to show their range of language
and their ability to invite the opinions and ideas of their
partner. Candidates are expected to share the interaction in
this way and to initiate and respond appropriately.
PART 4: DISCUSSION
This part tests the candidates’ ability to engage in a discussion based
on the topic of the collaborative task in Part 3
In Part 4, the interlocutor directs the interaction by asking
questions which encourage the candidates to broaden and
discuss further the topics introduced in Part 3. The questions
differ from Part 1 in that they ask primarily for an evaluation
rather than for information.
This part of the test gives candidates an opportunity to show
that they are capable of discussing issues in more depth than
in the earlier parts of the test.

Here is a sample video of the Speaking Test (parts 1 and 2)


Now watch parts 3 and 4.