Abstract
In this article the authors cover main international English Language Examinations, their role in defining language proficiency and interpreting language qualifications and review the structure of English as a foreign language examination FCE (First Certificate in English). The applied part of the paper contains the result analysis of this examination at Tomsk Polytechnic University (local sessions 2013 and 2014) and is aimed at identifying the most complicated papers of the exam and the relationship between English proficiency and the difficulties detected (based on certificate grades). Theoretical analysis of methodological literature, mathematical research methods for data and results processing, as well as authors’ personal experience of administering local EFL examination sessions were used. The obtained results allow us to conclude that in productive skills there is no relationship between certificate grade and difficulty in Writing and Speaking papers of the test. The Listening paper was considered to be the most difficult. The following relationship is revealed: the lower English proficiency a candidate has, the more interference of the gaps in the student’s knowledge in different examination papers is observed, therefore, the greater difficulty he/she encounters when completing examination questions. This work will be useful for language teachers, graduate students, students of English who are preparing for the FCE exam. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s1p239
Highlights
The Examination Board of the University of Cambridge - Cambridge English Language Assessment became one of the founders of the Association. Working together they designed the scale of the Council of Europe published under the title "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" which serves as a single measurement scale and a necessary basis for curriculum development, multi-level educational facilities and examination papers for European countries (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment, 2001)
International International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is administered by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment through more than 350 offices in 120 countries
The results for each exam paper are presented in Statement of Results with assessment profile as follows: Weak, Borderline, Good and Exceptional (Cambridge English: First – First Certificate in English (FCE) Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B2
Summary
Analysis of the Local FCE Examination Sessions (2013-2014) at Tomsk Polytechnic University. The applied part of the paper contains the result analysis of this examination at Tomsk Polytechnic University (local sessions 2013 and 2014) and is aimed at identifying the most complicated papers of the exam and the relationship between English proficiency and the difficulties detected (based on certificate grades). Working together they designed the scale of the Council of Europe published under the title "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" which serves as a single measurement scale and a necessary basis for curriculum development, multi-level educational facilities and examination papers for European countries (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment, 2001). The best way to prove English proficiency is to get an international certificate, which will mean only one thing in any country in the world - English can be used effectively for work or study
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
