Reading & Use of English
1 hour 15 minutes · 7 parts · 52 questions · 40%Understanding varied texts and showing control of grammar and vocabulary.
Tuhina← All programmesB2
B2 First (FCE)
A Cambridge English Qualification demonstrating the language ability needed to communicate in an English-speaking environment and study on English-taught courses.
Who it's for
Learners progressing from B1 Preliminary and working towards independent upper-intermediate English at CEFR Level B2.
Cambridge exam snapshot
Know the
qualification.
These details summarise the current official Cambridge English qualification and exam format.
CEFR levelB2
Papers4
Total lengthAbout 3.5 hours
Cambridge Scale160–179
Writing
1 hour 20 minutes · 2 parts · 20%Producing an essay and one further text of 140–190 words.
Listening
About 40 minutes · 4 parts · 30 questions · 20%Following news, presentations, interviews and everyday conversations.
Speaking
14 minutes per pair · 4 parts · 20%Answering questions, speaking at length, comparing ideas and discussing a topic.
What learners develop
Purposeful skills.
Visible progress.
01Reading fiction, articles, reports and informational texts
02Using grammar, vocabulary, collocations and word formation
03Writing an essay and a second text for a specific purpose
04Following news, presentations and everyday conversations
05Speaking individually and interacting with another candidate
06Explaining opinions, comparing ideas and discussing topics
Inside the qualification
What candidates encounter.
- Seven Reading and Use of English parts
- Two Writing tasks of 140–190 words
- Four Listening parts, with recordings played twice
- A four-part paired Speaking test
- Digital and paper-based formats use the same exam structure
Skills demonstrated
What the level represents.
- Handle different types of written text with confidence
- Control grammar and vocabulary at B2 level
- Produce clear essays, letters, reviews, reports or articles
- Understand a range of extended spoken material
- Communicate and discuss ideas in an interactive speaking test
Free exam practice
Download the
sample papers.
Use these official-format resources to practise each paper. Download the question papers first, then use the answer keys and tapescript to check the work.
Listening practiceB2 First listening sample test
Download MP3 ↓Question paper
PDF document
Download PDF ↓Question paper
PDF document
Download PDF ↓Question paper
PDF document
Download PDF ↓Sample Paper 1 answer keys
PDF document
Download PDF ↓Speaking sample paper
PDF document
Download PDF ↓About the qualification
Watch the
course overview.
Play the video here to learn more about B2 First.
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