FCE Writing Practice
FCE Writing has two parts: a compulsory essay and one task chosen from four options. 80 minutes total, 140–190 words per task. Each is scored on four official Cambridge bands: Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation and Language.
FCE Writing: part by part
- Part 1 — Compulsory essay (140–190 words): discuss two of three given prompts on a single topic. Formal/neutral register, balanced argument, clear conclusion.
- Part 2 — Choose ONE (140–190 words): email or letter, article, review, or report. Register and structure depend on the task type.
How FCE Writing is scored
Bands run 0–5 on each criterion (max 20 per task). Band 5 = task fully addressed, register and conventions held throughout, wide range of B2 grammar with high accuracy. Band 3 = task mostly addressed, conventions generally in place, some errors that don't impede meaning. Band 1 = task barely addressed, register inconsistent, errors that often impede communication.
Sample FCE Writing item
A typical writing task you'd see in a FCE mock exam.
Write an article for an international magazine answering the question: 'Has technology made our lives better or worse?' Give specific examples and reach a clear conclusion.
What examiners look for
- Part 1 essays must use formal-neutral register — no contractions, no slang, no chatty asides.
- Reviews and articles need engaging hooks — examiners can tell within two sentences whether you've grasped the genre.
- Range matters more than perfection. A few B2 structures used confidently (conditionals, passive, modals of speculation) score better than a flawless A2 piece.
- Don't start a sentence with 'And' or 'But' in formal tasks — small but visible register marker.
Practise FCE Writing now
Free to start. Auto-marked with detailed per-question explanations.