B2 First | Cambridge English (2024)

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Cambridge B2 First | Cambridge English (1)

English Language Assessment

B2 First, formerly known as Cambridge English: First (FCE), is one of our Cambridge English Qualifications. It is our most popular exam, accepted by thousands of businesses and educational institutions worldwide.

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A B2 First qualification proves you have the language skills to live and work independently in an English-speaking country or study on courses taught in English.

This exam is the logical step in your language learning journey between B1 Preliminary and C1 Advanced.

Key facts

CEFR level:B2 What's this?
Scale score:160–179What's this?
Test format:Digital or paper-based
No. of papers:4
Exam length:About 3.5 hours

B2 First | Cambridge English (6) A B2 First qualification shows that you can:

  • communicate effectively face-to-face, expressing opinions and presenting arguments
  • follow the news
  • write clear, detailed English, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view
  • write letters, reports, stories and lots of other types of text.

B2 First | Cambridge English (7) Reasons to choose B2 First:

  • Accepted for entry to foundation/pathway/pre-sessional courses in English-speaking countries.
  • Accepted for entry to undergraduate programmes taught in the medium of English in non-English-speaking countries.

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B2 First | Cambridge English (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to pass every part to pass the whole B2 test? ›

Do I need to pass all four papers? No, it's possible to pass the exam if you do well in some papers but not in every paper. For example, if you do very well in Reading and Use of English, Writing and Listening, but you don't do very well in Speaking, it's still possible to pass the exam.

What score do you need for B2 First writing? ›

Valid scores on the FCE Exam range from 140 to 190. A score of 160 or above is considered a “pass” and students with that score will receive the Cambridge First Certificate, which corresponds to a level B2 in English on the CEFR.

Is FCE B2 hard? ›

How do we prepare you for the B2 First Cambridge Certificate Exam? Taking this exam is not easy. Before you start a course with us we make sure you have the correct level by asking you to complete a level test. This exam is very complicated and there will be lots of new vocabulary and structures for you to learn.

How many points do you need to pass B2 First? ›

If you achieve a scale score of 180–190 (grade A) in your exam, you will receive the First Certificate in English stating that you demonstrated ability at Level C1. If you achieve a scale score of 160–179 (grade B or C) in your exam, you will be awarded the First Certificate in English at Level B2.

Is B2 English level difficult? ›

Most conversations are held at B2 level, so you can speak with natives without difficulty and with spontaneity. You can also understand the main ideas of texts about topics you are familiar with. You can express yourself fluently in almost any situation, without the need to search for expressions.

What is the B2 First level of English? ›

A B2 First qualification shows that you can:

communicate effectively face-to-face, expressing opinions and presenting arguments. follow the news. write clear, detailed English, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view.

Is B2 exam hard? ›

The TELC B2 is considered a moderate-level exam, and you need to score 60% marks to clear the exam. Moreover, its difficulty level depends on various factors, including one skill as well as one level of preparation. One can clear this exam by achieving a B2 level proficiency in the German language.

What is at least B2 level English? ›

Level B2 corresponds to a more advanced, more independent level than previous levels. A B2 user can communicate easily and spontaneously in a clear and detailed manner. This is not yet an experienced speaker, but a B2 user is able to understand and be understood in most situations.

Is B2 in English considered fluent? ›

Level B2 corresponds to independent users of the language, i.e. those who have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers.

What happens if I fail FCE? ›

What happens if you fail a functional capacity evaluation? If a worker "fails" an FCE, it means that they are unable to perform their job duties due to their injury. This can affect their ability to return to work and their workers' comp settlement.

How long does it take to reach B2 fluency? ›

How long does it take to learn English?
Level of English (CEFR)Number of hours of instruction
A2 to B1100-200 hours From A1: 300-500 hours
B1 to B2150-200 hours From A1: 500-700 hours
B2 to C1200-250 hours From A1: 700-950 hours
C1 to C2200-250 hours From A1: 900-1200 hours
2 more rows

Does the B2 English test expire? ›

Like all of the Cambridge English exams, the B2 First Certificate is a pass/fail test and for those who pass, it delivers a certificate that does not expire. The FCE exam can be either a paper-based test or a computer-based test.

Is B2 a good English score? ›

If a person is at B2, this is upper intermediate level. He/she can do the following: Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation.

What comes after B2 First? ›

Having successfully passed the B2 First exam, you will receive a Cambridge B2 Level Certificate, and if your grade is "A" - a C1 certificate that matches the C1 Advanced (CAE) exam. Even if you fail the B2 First exam, you can still get a B1-level certificate.

Do you have to pass all parts of FCE? ›

Do I have to pass each paper in order to pass the whole examination? No. Your overall performance is calculated by averaging the scores you achieve in Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking and Use of English. The weighting of each of the four skills and Use of English is equal.

What is the passing score for able B2? ›

Candidates who achieve an averaged total scaled score of at least 55 out of a possible 100 are awarded an ABLE B2 Certificate, regardless of how many sections they have failed. All candidates have the right to have any section of their examination re-scored.

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