Examinations

FINNBRIT has been an authorised examination centre for the University of Cambridge ESOL examinations for over 30 years.

FINNBRIT also acts as an examination centre for the University of London External Examinations, Edexcel and offers Examination services on behalf of the British Council in Helsinki.

CAMBRIDGE ESOL MAIN SUITE EXAMINATIONS

Cambridge ESOL offers the world’s leading range of certificates for learners and teachers of English - taken by over 3 million people in 130 countries. They help people gain entrance to university or college, improve job prospects or measure progress in English. More than 10,000 employers, universities and government bodies around the world recognise Cambridge ESOL qualifications.

Examination levels

FCE:	The Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) is the third level of the Cambridge exams in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). It is an upper intermediate level exam, set at Level B2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for modern languages, and recognises the ability to deal confidently with a range of written and spoken communications.
CAE:	The Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) is the fourth level of the Cambridge exams in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). It is an advanced exam, set at Level C1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework. Although the level of language skills required is not as high as for the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, CAE recognises the ability to communicate with confidence in English and deal with most aspects of everyday life.
CPE:	The Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) is the highest level of the Cambridge exams in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). It is a very advanced level exam, set at Level C2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for modern languages.CPE is for learners who have achieved a high level of language skills and are able to function effectively in almost any English-speaking context. Successful candidates at this level are approaching a standard of English similar to that of an educated native speaker. The exam also requires an appropriate level of educational and personal maturity.
Successful candidates receive a certificate awarded by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, and recognised by universities and employers in many countries. Candidates can access their results through the internet on a given date. Instructions, user names and passwords will be sent with the timetables. Candidates can view a statement of results, with a profile showing how they performed in each of the five papers.

The FCE, CAE and CPE comprise the following five subtests: Reading, Writing, Use of English, (CAE: English in Use), Listening and Speaking.

 

Examination dates and feeS

 

Regulation, exam handbooks etc. are available online from the link below:

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/support/

 

EXAMINATION	DATE	FEE	Last date of entry
FIRST CERTIFICATE
	7 December	€154	15 October 2010
ADVANCED
	9 December	€163	15 October 2010
PROFICIENCY
	9 December	€169	15 October 2010

About test arrangements

The Written tests and the Listening test will be held at a location to be announced later on the dates given above and the Speaking test at the Helsinki Finnish-British Society.

The Speaking test for each test administration will be arranged within a window of 10 days including the test date.
An Individual Timetable giving the location and exact times of the tests will be sent to each candidate about two weeks before the tests take place. The Centre Exams Manager should be notified of any changes of address after the entry has been made.

Minimum Entry Requirements

4 candidates, provided that the combined total of FCE and/or CAE, and/or CPE candidates in the same session is at least 10.

Enrolment for the tests

Enrolment for these tests can be done in person at the Finnish-British Society, Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9, 00120 HELSINKI (office hours: 9 am – 3 pm), or over the internet through our web site (www.finnbrit.fi).
Candidates are entered individually by filling in an entry form and by paying the appropriate examination fee either in cash at the time of entry, or by requesting an invoice.
(Bank account: Handelsbanken 313130-1254507)
Both the registration and the examination fee should reach the Centre Exams Manager by the last date of entry, which is normally at least 6 weeks before the test date.

LATE ENTRIES: It is possible to accept entries after the last date as Late Entries. An additional fee is charged for this.

Entries cannot be transferred from one examination to a later one or to a different level and refunds of fees can only be paid to candidates who withdraw from the examination on medical grounds. A small administrative charge will be withheld.

Limited numbers of sets of past question papers (including papers for Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening + cassette and sample Speaking materials, and a key for answers) are available for 18 euros / set. 

Results online

In the FCE, CAE and CPE examinations, candidates will have access to their results online. They will receive a letter along with their timetable, which will have the instructions, user names and passwords to enable them to see their results as soon a they are published.

Preliminary English Test (PET)

PET is an exam for people who can use everyday written and spoken English at an intermediate level. It covers all four language skills — reading, writing, listening and speaking. Preparing for the exam is a popular way to develop and improve your language skills because it provides practical language practice in a variety of everyday work, study and leisure situations.

PET reflects the use of language in real life, such as understanding signs and announcements, and is accepted by many employers as proof of ability to use English in clerical, secretarial or managerial jobs. It is also widely accepted for use in jobs where spoken English is necessary such as tourism, retail, construction, manufacturing and engineering.

 

Further information about the test available on the Cambridge ESOL website.

 

English for your future: Cambridge ESOL certificates for the world of work

BUSINESS ENGLISH CERTIFICATES (BEC)

The Business English Certificates are a suite of three examinations (BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage and BEC Higher) designed to test the English used in business. They are suitable for adults (aged 16 and over) who are either preparing for a career in business or already in work.

BEC Preliminary assesses language ability used in the context of business at the Council of Europe’s Threshold Level (B1) for general language proficiency, which is Entry Level 3 in the UK National Qualifications Framework.

BEC Vantage assesses language ability used in the context of business at the Council of Europe’s Vantage Level (B2) for general language proficiency, which is Level 1 in the UK National Qualifications Framework.

BEC Higher assesses language ability used in the context of business at the Council of Europe’s Effective Operational Proficiency Level (C1) for general language proficiency, which is Level 2 in the UK National Qualifications Framework.

At all three levels, the materials and tasks are accessible to candidates who have experience of, or are interested in entering, a range of business fields, including marketing, production, financial services and general office work.

Regulation, exam handbooks etc. are available online from the link below:

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/support/

 

BEC FEES
BEC Preliminary	108 €
BEC Vantage	161 €
BEC Higher	167€

These fees are valid till 30.06.2010.

BEC TEST DATES in 2010

BEC Preliminary

25 September (Reg by 15 Aug.)	5 November (Reg by 25 Sept.)	27 November (Reg by 10 Oct.)

 

BEC Vantage

24 September (Reg by 15 Aug.)	13 November (Reg by 25 Sept.)	4 December (Reg by 10 Oct.)

 

BEC Higher

23 September (Reg by 15 Aug.)	4 November (Reg by 25 Sept.)	20 November (Reg by 10 Oct.)

Anyone wishing to take these tests should consult the Centre Exams Manager or visit Cambridge ESOL website at: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/professional-english/bec.html

About test arrangements

The Written tests and the Listening test will be held on the dates given above.
The Speaking test for each test administration will be arranged within a window of 10 days including the test date.
An Individual Timetable giving the location and exact times of the tests will be sent to each candidate about two weeks before the tests take place. The Centre Exams Manager should be notified of any changes of address after the entry has been made.

Minimum Entry Requirements

4 candidates, provided that the combined total of BEC Preliminary and/or BEC Intermediate and/or BEC Advanced candidates in the same session is at least 10.

Enrolment for the tests

Enrolment for these tests can be done in person at the Finnish-British Society, Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9, 00120 HELSINKI (office hours: 9 am – 3 pm) or over the internet through our web site (www.finnbrit.fi).
Candidates are entered individually by filling in the web-entry form and by paying the appropriate examination fee either in cash at the time of entry, or by requesting an invoice when submitting the registration through the internet.
(Bank account: Handelsbanken 313130-1254507)

Both the completed Entry form and the Examination fee should reach the Centre Exams Manager by the last date of entry, normally at least 6 weeks before the test date.

Entries cannot be transferred from one examination to a later one or to a different level and refunds of fees can only be paid to candidates who withdraw from the examination on medical grounds. A small administrative charge will be withheld.

Results online

In the BEC examinations, candidates will have access to their results online. They will receive a letter along with their timetable, which will have the instructions, user names and passwords to enable them to see their results as soon a they are published.

 

For further information and inquiries please contact the Centre Exams Manager . 

 

International Legal English Certificate

English is an essential tool for any lawyer working with international matters. It is the lingua franca of the legal profession, of business and international affairs. Employers need to know that the legal staff they appoint have a sufficient level of English to be able to communicate with clients and professionals in other countries, and to handle information written in English. At the same time, law students and newly-qualified lawyers need to be able to show employers that they have these skills.

The new Cambridge ILEC - International Legal English Certificate - was created to meet these needs. It is suitable for students with some legal knowledge intending to study law courses which include a significant English language content, either in their own country or abroad.

• High-level language qualification for lawyers

• Internationally recognised

 

More information: LegalEnglishTest.org

 

Grading and certification

Written papers will be marked in the UK, by Cambridge ESOL examiners.

Test results are normally reported within six weeks of the test date. There is a range of passing and failing grades to distinguish levels of performance.

All candidates receive a statement of results showing their performance on each of the four papers and an overall grade, and candidates who achieve passing grades will receive an official certificate awarded by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.

Examinations in 2010

 

Test Dates:
18 September 2010
13 November 2010

 

Enrolment for these tests can be done in person at the Finnish-British Society, Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9, 00120 HELSINKI (office hours: 9 am – 3 pm) or over the internet through our web site (www.finnbrit.fi).
Candidates are entered individually by filling in the web-entry form and by paying the appropriate examination fee either in cash at the time of entry, or by requesting an invoice when submitting the registration through the internet.
(Bank account: Handelsbanken 313130-1254507)

Both the completed Entry form and the Examination fee should reach the Centre Exams Manager by the last date of entry, normally at least 6 weeks before the test date.

Examination fee is 220 €.

 

Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

What is BMAT?

BMAT is the Biomedical Admissions Test.

Why do I have to take the test?

The test is part of the selection procedure for medicine, veterinary science, and some physiological science courses at Cambridge University, Oxford University, the Royal Veterinary College, University College London and Bristol University Veterinary School. A list of exactly which courses require the BMAT is on the homepage of the BMAT website.

Where can I take the test?

The test can be taken internationally as well as in the UK.

Mature students with no links to a school or college should try contacting a local school or college in the area to ask whether the school/college can help, or use the BMAT website to find an Open Centre. Failing that the applicant should pass on their details (name, address, contact telephone number) to the BMAT Support Desk, and the BMAT Support Team will assist in finding a centre to administer the test.

Please also note that a list of Open Centres will be made available in the How do I register? Section and updated on a regular basis.

More information about the dates and preparation for the test is available on the BMAT website.

Please contact us to receive an application form for the test in Helsinki.

BMAT test fees
Depending on the number of candidates:
1 candidate	160 € / candidate
2 - 5 candidates	120 € / candidate
6 or more candidates	110 € / candidate

 

ELAT, TSA and step tests

TSA Oxford Thinking Skills Assessment

Each headline below is a link to the corresponding exam's website.

 

Oxford Thinking Skills Assessment

The TSA (University of Oxford) is a pre-interview admissions test for applicants to undergraduate courses in PPE and E&M at the University of Oxford. Admissions decisions are complex because candidates come from a wide variety of subject backgrounds, and the study of PPE or E&M requires a range of abilities. The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) will help tutors to assess whether candidates have the skills and aptitudes that are required to study PPE or E&M.

The TSA (University of Oxford) was formerly known as PPE.

The next TSA (University of Oxford) will take place on Wednesday 3rd November 2010.

ELAT English Literature Admissions Test

The ELAT is a pre-interview admissions test for applicants to undergraduate courses in English at the University of Oxford. The test is designed to enable applicants to show their ability in the key skill of close reading, paying attention to such elements as the language, imagery, allusion, syntax, form and structure of the passages set for comment.

The next ELAT will take place on Wednesday 3rd November 2010.

Sixth Term Examination Paper

STEP is a well-established Mathematics university admissions test, which is used to help to select very academically able students for courses which are usually oversubscribed. STEP was originally administered by OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations). However with effect from 2008 STEP has been transferred from OCR to its parent Cambridge Assessment which has a specialist team that manages assessments relating specifically to university entrance.