FCE exam :\

[Gość: agata]

I'm going to take my fce exam this week and i'm really stressed :( those of
you who has already passed fce - is it really difficult? do you have some
advices for me before the exam? maybe some special ones for the second part,
i mean speaking?
and the last question - how can I chill out before it?! :)

[amused.to.death]

if you don't know this page, this is a very useful address: www.ang.pl/ - go to their FCE forum - loads of advice.

[Gość: Lotte]

Don't worry.FCE exam is not so difficult as it seems to be.I've done TOEFL (it
was necessary for my studies) and I thought that I'm not going to manage it
because it allowes you to study abroad so your English has to be perfect.For
two years I was studing English on my own(without any course) and I decided to
do TOEFL.And now I'm happy student on a foreign university.GOOD LUCK!!!!

[Gość: itsnotdifficult]

Agatko dear, advice is uncountable so you cannot say "advices", "those of you
who HAVE already passed".
It would be a good idea to practice for Paper 5 with a friend, even if there's
nobody around to correct you, simply to get used to the situation of taking an
exam with another person(interaction). Good luck!

[Gość: angol]

The FC speaking exam is easy - maybe 1 or 2 % of people fail it. If you speak,
you pass. Tips:
Do not prepare any speeches - examiners hate this and cut you off part way
through.
Try to imagine you are in a cafe (i.e. you are relaxed) - part 1 introducing
yourself, part 2 describing a couple of photos you took recently, part 3
discussing an issue and making a decision together, part 4 discussing further
issues.
Part 2 - the question is always 'compare and contrast and then say ... (your
opinion/reaction)'. Do this in order as asked, but don't spend too much time on
the compare and contrast as the examiner can see the picture and doesn't need
you to tell him/her what's on it! Your opinions are what makes it interesting
for the examiner.
Part 3 - you normally get 6 or 7 pictures in a theme and are asked to discuss
them and then choose the best/rank them etc etc. Make sure you discuss the +/-
of each picture before making your decision otherwise you will run out of time.
If your partner wants to come to quick decisions try to guide them away.
If your partner is quiet try to bring them into the conversation - try not to
dominate. You get good marks for interactivity. No monologues! If your partner
is dominant you can interrupt! However be polite and do it for a reason (not
just because you think they are saying too much!) i.e. because you agree and
want to add something or because you disagree.
Part 4 - relax it's almost over - these are questions about your opinions so
just tell it like it is.

The exam lasts 14 mins and goes so quickly you won't believe it.
Other general advice: listening is just as important as speaking - so listen to
the examiner and to your partner. Then you can react properly.
Good luck

[Gość: Ash]

BTW I was asked to help my friend to prepare to the oral part of the exam, can
you give me any tips how I should teach her dealing with FCE oral part? thanx