Real-life language skills	General and higher education leaflet
	B2 First is an upper-intermediate English language exam set at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Reaching this level means you can: understand the main ideas of complex pieces of writing keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics, expressing opinions and presenting arguments produce clear, detailed writing, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view. The exam uses real-life situations that are especially designed to help you: communicate more effectively learn the language skills you need to take the next step to success Preparing for B2 First will give you the practical English skills to: study in English at foundation or pathway level work in an English-speaking environment live independently in an English-speaking country
	Fair and reliable B2 First is respected and accepted internationally. It: provides the most reliable reflection of your language skills covers all major varieties of English (e.g. British English, American English) is designed to be fair to users of all nationalities and linguistic backgrounds is supported by the largest research programme of its kind can be taken by people with a wide range of special requirements.
	Choice Choose when and how you take your exam - B2 First is available as either a paper-based or computer-based exam, allowing you even more choice over how you take your test.
	Globally Accepted Your B2 First certificate will be accepted as a qualification in upper-intermediate English by many thousands of employers, universities, colleges and leading businesses around the world. Find out more about institutions that accept B2 First
	Fast results Get your results in just two weeks if you take your B2 First as a computer-based exam.
	A Cambridge English qualification Once you have earned a Cambridge English certificate, you hold one of the most valuable English qualifications in the world. It’s an achievement you can be really proud of.

What’s in the B2 First?
The B2 First exam consists of four papers developed to test your English language skills in all areas of language ability: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The Speaking exam uses a face-to-face test with two candidates and two examiners. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to use English to communicate.

B2 First has four papers:

Reading and Use of English: 1 hour 15 minutes The B2 First Reading and Use of English paper has 7 parts and 52 questions and has a mix of text types and questions. For Parts 1 to 4, candidates read a range of texts and do grammar and vocabulary tasks. For Parts 5 to 7, candidates read a series of texts and answer questions that test their reading ability and show that they can deal with a variety of different types of texts This paper accounts for 40% of the total mark. Number of parts: 7 Number of questions: 52 Type of questions – Reading tasks: Part 1: Multiple-choice cloze A text with some multiple-choice questions. Each question has four options (A, B, C or D) – you have to decide which is the correct answer. Part 2: Open cloze A text in which there are some gaps, each of which represents one missing word. You have to think of the correct word for each gap. Part 3: Word formation A text containing eight gaps. Each gap represents a word. At the end of the line is a ‘prompt’ word which you have to change in some way to complete the sentence correctly. Part 4: Key word transformations Each question consists of a sentence followed by a ‘key’ word and a second sentence with a gap in the middle. You have to use this key word to complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Part 5: Multiple choice A text with some multiple-choice questions. For each question, there are four options and you have to choose A, B, C or D. Part 6: Gapped text A single page of text with some numbered gaps which represent missing sentences. After the text there are some sentences which are not in the right order. You have to read the text and the sentences and decide which sentence best fits each gap. Part 7: Multiple matching A series of statements followed by a text divided into sections or several short texts. You have to match each statement to the section or text in which you can find the information.

Writing: 1 hour 20 minutes The B2 First Writing paper has two parts. Candidates have to show that they can write different types of text in English. In Part 1 there is one compulsory question and in Part 2 candidates answer one question from a choice of three. This paper accounts for 20% of the total mark. Number of parts: 2 Number of questions: 2 Type of questions – Writing tasks: Part 1: Compulsory question You’re given an essay title and two ideas clearly linked to the title. You write an essay giving your opinions about the title, using the ideas given. You must also add a third, different idea of your own linked to the title. The title will be a subject of general interest – you won’t need any specialised knowledge. Part 2: Situationally based writing task You write a text from a choice of text types – article, email/letter, report or review. To guide your writing, you’ll be given information about context, topic purpose and target reader.

Listening: About 40 minutes The B2 First Listening paper has four parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice.This paper accounts for 20% of the total mark. Number of parts: 4 Number of questions: 30 Type of tasks: Part 1: Multiple choice Eight short extracts from monologues or conversations between interacting speakers. There is one multiple-choice question for each extract, and you have to choose A, B or C. Part 2: Sentence completion A monologue (which may be introduced by a presenter) lasting approximately 3 minutes. You have to complete the sentences on the question paper with the missing information which you hear on the recording. Part 3: Multiple matching A series of five themed monologues of approximately 30 seconds each. On the question paper, you have to select five correct options from a list of eight possible answers. Part 4: Multiple choice A conversation between two or more speakers of approximately 3–4 minutes. You have to answer some multiple-choice questions by choosing the correct answer from three options (A, B or C).

Speaking: 14 minutes per pair of candidates The B2 First Speaking shows how good your spoken English is as you take part in conversation by asking/answering questions and talking, for example, about your likes and dislikes. The test has four parts and will be conducted face-to-face with one or two other candidates. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. There are two examiners. One examiner (the interlocutor) talks to you and the other examiner (the assessor) just listens. Both examiners decide your grade but the assessor gives more detailed marks than the interlocutor. The Speaking test accounts for 20% of the total mark. Number of parts: 4 Type of tasks: Part 1: Interview Conversation with the examiner. The examiner asks questions and you may have to give information about your interests, studies, career, etc. Part 2: Long turn The examiner gives you two photographs and asks you to talk about them. You have to speak for 1 minute without interruption and the interlocutor then asks the other candidate to comment on your photographs for about 30 seconds. The other candidate receives a different set of photographs and you have to listen and comment when they have finished speaking. The question you have to answer about your photographs is written at the top of the page to remind you what you should talk about. Part 3: Collaborative task Conversation with the other candidate. The examiner gives you some material and a task to do. You have to talk with the other candidate and make a decision. Part 4: Discussion Further discussion with the other candidate, guided by questions from the examiner, about the topics or issues raised in the task in Part 3. Choosing your Speaking Test partner If you would like to be paired together with a friend/classmate you can request this when you register for the exam. Please note however that research has shown that there are both advantages and disadvantages in taking the test with someone you know and that in the end it doesn’t matter. What is important is that the test judges you on your own performance. Groups of three candidates Almost all B2 First Speaking Tests are conducted in groups of two candidates. However, if there is an uneven number of candidates at an exam session there will be one test with a group of three candidates, normally at the end of the day or before a long break. The test format is exactly the same but will last a little longer. Please note that you cannot request to take your test in a group of three. Paper and pencil tests Try a paper-based sample B2 First exam paper. Download sample paper 1 for B2 First... Download sample paper 2 for B2 First... Download Examiner comments of the Speaking paper Listening Answer Keys Use of English answer Keys (Please note that there is no answer key for the Writing paper, but there are sample answers and examiner comments). Computer-based sample tests Reading and Use of English Listening Writing Find out how to use the computer-based sample tests. Please note you will need to use the Firefox or Chrome browser to view these sample tests. Check your answers as you do the test – once the test has finished you will not be able to check them. Information for Candidates A guide to the exam, with an overview of what’s involved and examples of papers. Download Information for Candidates Guide to exam day tips Practical information about the session. Paper-based exams Computer-based exams Speaking test Summary Regulations for Candidates All the important information you need to know when taking the exam. Dowload Summary Regulations for Candidates Cheating warning Cheating is treated very seriously by Cambridge English and if you cheat you will not get a result or a certificate. Please view this poster and make sure that you understand what it says. Register for B2 First

Your results
B2 First results will be reported on the Cambridge English Scale.

 Download a factsheet about the Cambridge English Scale

You will receive a Statement of Results. If your performance ranges between CEFR Levels C1 and B1, you will also receive a certificate.

You will receive a separate score for each of the four skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) plus Use of English, giving you a clear understanding of your performance. These five scores are averaged to give an overall result for the exam. You will also be given a grade and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level.

'Statement of Results'
Your Statement of Results contains the following information:
Your certificate
If a candidate demonstrates that he/she has achieved level B1 or above of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), one of the following certificates will be awarded:

Useful resources to help you to prepare for your B2 First exam

Are you a private candidate? It’s easy to register for B2 First in just three steps:

Registration for schools and academies