B2 First (FCE) Overview: Format, Scoring & Prep

Level: B2. B2 First — still widely called the FCE — is the Cambridge English qualification that sits at CEFR level B2, the upper-intermediate step between B1 Preliminary and C1 Advanced. This page explains its four papers, how it is scored, and exactly which pages on this course to use to prepare.

By the end of this page you can…

…name the four papers and their timings, understand the Cambridge English Scale score, see how B2 First fits the CEFR, and start a focused study plan.

The exam at a glance

B2 First is one rung on the Cambridge English ladder, where each qualification targets a single CEFR level. It is made up of four papers and takes about three and a half hours in total.

The four papers

The four papers test reading and use of English, writing, listening and speaking. Cambridge states the format is the same for the digital and the paper-based exam, so you prepare the same way for either.

Reading and Use of English

This paper is worth 40% of the total mark and gives you 2,200–2,500 words to read across its seven parts. The first four parts are the Use of English half — they test grammar and vocabulary rather than reading speed.

Writing

You have 1 hour 20 minutes for two pieces of writing. Part 1 is a compulsory essay; in Part 2 you choose one task from a short menu, which can include a letter or email, a report, a review or an article. You are marked on content, organisation, vocabulary and grammar.

Listening

The Listening paper lasts about 40 minutes with four parts and 30 questions, and the recordings are played twice. Part 1 is a set of eight short, unrelated extracts, each with a three-option multiple-choice question testing feeling, attitude, gist and detail.

Speaking

Speaking takes about 14 minutes and is normally done face to face with a partner and two examiners — one asks the questions, the other listens. It has four parts: an interview about yourself, an individual long turn, a collaborative task where you and your partner discuss prompts for two minutes and then reach a decision, and a follow-up discussion.

How it is scored

Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale. You get a separate score for Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking and Use of English, and these combine into one overall score. A B2 result sits in the 160–179 band of the scale; the scale is designed to line up with the CEFR and with IELTS so progress between levels is easy to compare.

Digital or paper?

Cambridge offers B2 First as a digital (on-screen) exam or on paper. It is the same qualification with the same format, parts and timings; the digital version just gives an on-screen experience and faster results. Choose whichever you are more comfortable with — your study plan is identical.

Useful language to practise

These are the kinds of functional phrases the Writing essay and the Speaking collaborative task reward. Listen, then say each one aloud.

1. Shall we start with this option?
   opening the Speaking collaborative task
2. What do you think about doing it this way?
   inviting your partner's opinion
3. That's a good point, but I'm not sure it would work for everyone.
   polite disagreement
4. On the one hand it saves money; on the other hand it takes more time.
   weighing two sides
5. In my opinion, the biggest advantage is that it is free.
   stating an opinion
6. One disadvantage is that it can be quite noisy.
   naming a drawback
7. Although it is expensive, it lasts much longer.
   concession with although
8. Firstly, it helps the environment; secondly, it is cheaper.
   ordering points in an essay
9. I see what you mean, but I'd prefer a different approach.
   softening a counter-view
10. I'd go for the second one, mainly because it is safer.
    giving a reason
11. To sum up, I believe the first choice is the most practical.
    concluding an essay
12. So, shall we agree on the third option?
    reaching a decision together

How to prepare with this course

B2 First rewards accuracy and range across all four skills. Work through these pages at and just above B2:

• Grammar: tighten the structures examiners look for with the grammar lessons — the passive in all forms, relative and reduced clauses and linking cause and contrast all turn up in Use of English and Writing.
• Vocabulary: the vocabulary sets build the collocations and word families that Parts 1 and 3 test.
• Reading and writing under time: rehearse with the B2 reading practice and the writing practice guide.
• Listening and speaking: the listening practice guide trains the twice-heard recordings; record yourself to prepare for the paired Speaking test.

Practice

Practice

B2 First format check

Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.

1 How many papers does B2 First have?

Three Four Five Six

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Four — B2 First has four papers: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking.

2 The Reading and Use of English paper has ____ parts. (number word or figure)

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Hint: one more than six

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seven — Reading and Use of English is made up of seven parts with 52 questions in total.

3 Which paper is worth 40% of the total mark?

Writing Listening Reading and Use of English Speaking

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Reading and Use of English — Reading and Use of English carries 40% of the overall mark.

4 Match each paper to its time.

• Reading and Use of English Match for Reading and Use of English — choose — 1 hour 15 minutes1 hour 20 minutesabout 14 minutesabout 40 minutes
• Writing Match for Writing — choose — 1 hour 15 minutes1 hour 20 minutesabout 14 minutesabout 40 minutes
• Listening Match for Listening — choose — 1 hour 15 minutes1 hour 20 minutesabout 14 minutesabout 40 minutes
• Speaking Match for Speaking — choose — 1 hour 15 minutes1 hour 20 minutesabout 14 minutesabout 40 minutes

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• Reading and Use of English → 1 hour 15 minutes
• Writing → 1 hour 20 minutes
• Listening → about 40 minutes
• Speaking → about 14 minutes

These are the standard timings for the four B2 First papers.

5 Put the stages of a B2 First essay in a sensible order.

ConclusionPlan your pointsIntroductionMain paragraphs

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Plan your points Introduction Main paragraphs Conclusion — Plan first, then write an introduction, the main paragraphs and a conclusion.

6 On which scale are B2 First results reported?

A 0-9 band The Cambridge English Scale A percentage only School grades A-F

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The Cambridge English Scale — Cambridge reports each skill and an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale.

Quick recap before you practise.

Quiz

Check yourself

B2 First (FCE) quiz

12 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.

0/12 0 answered

1. 1B2 First targets which CEFR level?

   A A2 B B1 C B2 D C1
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   B2 — B2 First is the Cambridge qualification aimed at CEFR level B2.

2. 2About how long is the whole exam?

   A About 2 hours B About 3.5 hours C About 5 hours D About 1 hour
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   About 3.5 hours — The four papers take about three and a half hours in total.

3. 3Which band on the Cambridge English Scale is a B2 result?

   A 120-139 B 140-159 C 160-179 D 180-199
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   160-179 — A B2 result sits in the 160-179 band of the Cambridge English Scale.

4. 4How many questions are in Reading and Use of English?

   A 30 B 40 C 52 D 56
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   52 — The paper has 52 questions across seven parts.

5. 5The Writing paper asks you to produce…

   A one piece of writing B two pieces of writing C three pieces of writing D no writing
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   two pieces of writing — Writing has two parts: a compulsory essay and one chosen task.

6. 6How many times are the Listening recordings played?

   A Once B Twice C Three times D As often as you like
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   Twice — The Listening recordings are played twice.

7. 7The Speaking test is usually taken…

   A alone with a computer B with a partner and two examiners C by phone D as a written task
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   with a partner and two examiners — Speaking is normally face to face with another candidate and two examiners.

8. 8Which part is key word transformations?

   A Reading and Use of English Part 4 B Writing Part 1 C Listening Part 2 D Speaking Part 3
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   Reading and Use of English Part 4 — Key word transformations are Part 4 of Reading and Use of English.

9. 9Digital and paper B2 First exams…

   A test different things B follow the same format C have different time limits D cannot both be taken
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   follow the same format — Cambridge says the format is the same for digital and paper-based exams.

10. 10How is the overall score worked out?

    A The best single paper B An average across the papers C Reading only D A pass or fail decision
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    An average across the papers — The overall score is an average, so a weak paper lowers it.

11. 11Which tasks make up the Use of English half of Paper 1?

    A Only reading passages B Cloze, word formation and key word transformation C Essays and reviews D Listening extracts
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    Cloze, word formation and key word transformation — Parts 1-4 cover multiple-choice cloze, open cloze, word formation and key word transformation.

12. 12The smartest way to prepare is to…

    A only learn grammar rules B build all four skills with timed practice C skip Speaking D memorise one essay
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    build all four skills with timed practice — Because the score averages four skills, a balanced, timed plan works best.

Recap cheat-sheet

Next

• Start at the English exams hub to compare exam families
• Build accuracy: English grammar lessons
• Build range: English vocabulary sets
• Rehearse under time: English practice pages
• New here? Start Learning English Here