Exam basics
How many papers are there in B2 First?
4 papers: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
How many parts and questions are there?
7 parts and 52 questions.
Parts 1–4 focus mainly on Use of English: vocabulary, grammar, word formation and transformations.
Parts 5–7 focus mainly on reading.
How many parts are there in Writing?
2 parts.
Part 1 is compulsory. In Part 2, you choose one task from a selection of questions.
How many parts are there in Listening?
4 parts and 30 questions.
You hear a range of recordings and speakers in different everyday situations.
How many parts are there in Speaking?
4 parts.
The Speaking test is normally taken with another candidate and two examiners: one examiner conductsthe test and the other assesses you.
What level is B2 First?
B2 — an upper-intermediate level on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference forLanguages).
Which part is Multiple-Choice Cloze?
Part 1.
You read a text with gaps and choose the best option from A, B, C or D. It tests vocabulary, collocations,fixed phrases and meaning in context.
How many words should you write?
140–190 words for EACH task.
You need to answer the question fully, organise your ideas clearly and use an appropriate range ofgrammar and vocabulary.
How many times do you hear each recording?
Twice.
Use the first listening to understand the situation and answer what you can. Use the second to checkdetails and confirm your choices.
How long is the Speaking test?
About 14 minutes for a pair of candidates.
If there are three candidates, the test takes longer.
How long is the Reading and Use of English paper?
1 hour 15 minutes.
There are 7 parts and 52 questions. The paper combines reading comprehension with grammar andvocabulary tasks.
Which part tests word formation?
Part 3 — Word Formation.
You are given a word and must change it to fit the sentence, for example noun → adjective or verb →noun.
What is compulsory in Part 1?
An essay.
You are given a question and two ideas. You must discuss those ideas and add a third idea of your own.
How long is the Listening paper?
About 40 minutes, this includes time to transfer your answers.
There are different task types, including multiple choice, sentence completion and multiple matching.
What happens in Part 2?
Each candidate speaks for about 1 minute.
You compare two photographs and answer a question about them. You should compare, speculate andgive relevant ideas rather than simply describe the pictures.
Do you have to pass every paper separately?
No. Your result is based on your performance across the whole exam.
You receive a score on the Cambridge English Scale for each skill and an overall score. The overall resultdetermines the grade.
What is Part 4?
Key Word Transformations.
You rewrite a sentence using a given key word. The meaning must stay the same. You write between 2and 5 words.
What can you write in Part 2?
Possible genres include an article, email/letter, review or report (story for B2 for schools)
The exact options vary, so always read the task carefully and identify the target reader, purpose and tone.
What kinds of recordings can you hear?
Conversations, interviews, talks, discussions and other spoken situations.
You may hear different speakers, accents and styles of English.
Which part is the collaborative task?
Part 3.
You and your partner discuss a question using prompts, then try to reach a decision. Interaction is veryimportant here.
What grades can you receive in B2 First?
A, B or C = Level B2 certificate.
A result below the B2 range may be reported as Level B1. A very high result can be reported as Level C1.
Which parts are mainly reading comprehension?
Parts 5, 6 and 7.
They test skills such as understanding detail, opinions, attitudes, text structure, missing paragraphs andmultiple matching.
What are examiners looking for?
Four assessment areas: Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation and Language.
A good answer completes the task, communicates effectively for the target reader, is well organised anduses a good range of language accurately.
What is Part 3?
Multiple matching.
You hear five short related texts, usually spoken by different people, and match each speaker with astatement. You need to identify the speaker's opinion, attitude or main idea.
What happens in Part 4?
A discussion with your partner based on the topic from Part 3.
The examiner asks questions and you discuss ideas, opinions and possibilities. You should respond to yourpartner and develop the discussion.