B2 First (FCE) Exam – What is it and how to pass it?
The B2 First exam, formerly known as the First Certificate in English (FCE), is one of the most popular Cambridge English Qualifications. It proves you have the language skills to live and work independently in an English-speaking country or study on courses taught in English.
The entire exam takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. It consists of four papers, testing all aspects of your language ability. To pass, you need to score between 160 and 190 points on the Cambridge English Scale.
📖 Part 1: Reading and Use of English
This is the longest part of the exam, lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes. It tests your reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar across 7 parts and 52 questions.
- Multiple-Choice Cloze: Choosing the correct word (A, B, C, or D) to fill in the gaps in a text. Tests collocations, phrasal verbs, and idioms.
- Word Formation: Changing the form of a given word (e.g., from 'ACT’ to 'ACTION’ or 'ACTIVE’) to fit the sentence context.
- Key Word Transformations: The most notorious task! You must rewrite a sentence using a given key word (in exactly the same form) so that it means the same as the original sentence. You can only use between 2 and 5 words.
- Reading Comprehension: Answering multiple-choice questions about a long text, inserting missing paragraphs into an article, and matching statements to short paragraphs.
✍️ Part 2: Writing
You have 1 hour and 20 minutes to write two different pieces of text. Each text should be between 140 and 190 words long.
- Part 1 (Compulsory): You MUST write an essay based on a given title and two ideas. You also have to add one idea of your own.
- Part 2 (Choice): You choose one task from three options. The options usually include an article, an email/letter (formal or informal), a review, or a report.
🎧 Part 3: Listening
This section takes about 40 minutes. You will listen to a variety of spoken materials, such as news programs, presentations, and everyday conversations. You will hear each recording twice.
- Multiple Choice: Answering questions based on short, unrelated extracts.
- Sentence Completion: Listening to a monologue and filling in the missing information (1-3 words) in the summary notes.
- Multiple Matching: Matching five speakers to their opinions or topics. There is always one extra option you don’t need!
🗣️ Part 4: Speaking
The Speaking test lasts 14 minutes. You will take this part of the exam with one or two other candidates and two examiners (one asks questions, the other only listens and assesses).
- Interview: Answering general questions about yourself, your hobbies, hometown, and future plans.
- Long Turn: You have to compare two color photographs and answer a specific question about them for 1 minute without stopping.
- Collaborative Task: Discussing a mind map with your partner. You need to express opinions, agree, disagree, and try to reach a conclusion together.
1. Time Management: The Reading & Use of English part is very long. Don’t spend too much time on one difficult question. If you don’t know the answer, guess and move on!
2. Spelling Matters: In the Listening and Use of English parts, incorrect spelling means you lose the point. Always double-check your answers!
3. Speak Up: In the Speaking test, it’s completely fine to correct yourself or ask the examiner to repeat the question. The most important thing is to keep the conversation flowing naturally.
Ready to test your skills?
Practice makes perfect. Try our dedicated interactive quizzes designed specifically for the B2 First exam and master the most difficult structures!
Practice Reading and Use of English Practice Writing