The Cambridge First (FCE) interview lasts about 14 minutes and is usually done in pairs (2 candidates).
The are 4 parts to the FCE interview.

1. The first part is where the interviewer asks each candidate some questions. You should practise giving information about yourself and expressing your opinions. It’s a good idea to practise talking about:

• the weather
• where you come from
• what you enjoy doing
• your plans for the future
• hobbies and free time
• holidays and travel
• TV and the Internet

2. In the second part you have to speak for a minute about 2 pictures that the examiner gives you. The other candidate then responds briefly to a question from the examiner. After this the other candidate gets 2 photographs etc. In this part of the FCE exam, you will need to describe and compare the pictures and again give your opinion.

These words and phrase will help:

• although
• whereas
• however
• in my opinion
• personally

3. The third part involves the candidates having to make a decision by discussing together a subject related to a photograph or text. Apart from expressing opinions, you will often have to make suggestions, agree and disagree, speculate and negotiate. This part of the interview tests how you interact with another person.

4. Part 4 is a discussion between both candidates and the examiner and is based on the activity in Part 3.

The pictures or texts that you will be shown in the FCE interview could be about, for example:

• keeping fit
• pollution
• life in the city and the country
• the economy
• the environment.

You will need to make sure you know the key vocabulary and phrases connected with these topics.