Date of last update: 19.03.2026
The B2 First certificate is a comprehensive confirmation of your language competencies. The exam is designed to reliably assess four key areas of communication: reading, writing, listening, and speaking fluency.
Understanding the structure of the exam itself is half the battle—it allows for better time management and avoids surprises regarding the types of tasks you will encounter in the paper. The exam consists of four separate parts, each presenting different challenges to the candidate: from precise grammatical transformations and text creation to interaction with another candidate during the speaking part.
Below you will find a detailed description of each part of the B2 First exam, along with a precise breakdown of task types, the number of questions, and time limits. This compendium of knowledge will help you accurately plan your preparation and become familiar with the format of the test.
Tabble of contents:
- B2 First Exam Structure in a Nutshell
- B2 First – Reading and Use of English
- B2 First – Writing
- B2 First – Listening
- B2 First – Speaking
- B2 First vs. B2 First for Schools – which version to choose?
- Summary
- FAQ – B2 First (FCE) Exam Structure, Tasks & Scoring Explained
You can read this article 6 minutes.
B2 First Exam Structure in a Nutshell
| Exam Component | Duration | What is assessed? |
| Reading and Use of English | 75 min | Your proficiency in reading texts (from press to literature), the practical application of grammar, and range of vocabulary. |
| Writing | 80 min | The ability to create specific written forms, including essays, letters, reports, or reviews. |
| Listening | approx. 40 min | Listening comprehension of various recordings: from news and presentations to casual, everyday dialogues. |
| Speaking | 14 min (per pair) | Assesses fluency in conversation and discussion. You participate with 1–2 other candidates in the presence of 2 examiners (one may be online), where one examiner conducts the conversation and the other assesses the performance. Examiners may use mobile apps for grading. |
B2 First – Reading and Use of English
This part of the B2 First exam consists of seven parts and contains various types of texts and questions.
General Information about B2 First Reading and Use of English
- Time allowed: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Number of parts: 7
- Number of questions: 52
- Scoring: 40% of the final grade
- Total text length: 2,200 – 2,500 words to read in total
- Text sources: Newspaper and magazine articles, reports, fiction, advertisements, letters, messages, informational materials (e.g., brochures, guides, instructions).
Detailed description of individual parts of B2 First Reading and Use of English
| Part | Content | What does it assess? | No. of questions | Scoring |
| Part 1 (Multiple-choice cloze) | A text with gaps. Four possible answers (A, B, C, or D) are provided for each gap. | Vocabulary: words with similar meanings, collocations, linking words, phrasal verbs, etc. | 8 | 1 pt for each correct answer |
| Part 2 (Open cloze) | A text with gaps that must be filled with a single, appropriate word. | Grammar and vocabulary. | 8 | 1 pt for each correct answer |
| Part 3 (Word formation) | A text with 8 gaps. At the end of the line, there is a “base” word that must be transformed to correctly complete the sentence. | Vocabulary – word formation: creating different forms from a base word (e.g., compete -> competition). | 8 | 1 pt for each correct answer |
| Part 4 (Key word transformations) | A lead-in sentence, a key word, and a second sentence with a gap. You must use the key word to complete the second sentence so it means the same as the first. | Grammar and vocabulary – paraphrasing sentences using different structures. | 6 | up to 2 pts for each correct answer |
| Part 5 (Multiple choice) | A text with multiple-choice questions. Each question has four options (A, B, C, or D). | Understanding text details, including opinions and attitudes of the authors. | 6 | 2 pts for each correct answer |
| Part 6 (Gapped text) | A text with empty spaces where missing sentences (provided below the text) must be fitted. | Understanding text structure and following the development of narrative/argumentation. | 6 | 2 pts for each correct answer |
| Part 7 (Multiple matching) | A series of questions and one long text (or several short ones). You must match the question to the fragment of the text where the information is found. | The ability to find specific information in texts. | 10 | 1 pt for each correct answer |
B2 First – Writing
In the two parts of the Writing paper, the student must demonstrate the ability to create different types of texts in English.
General Information about B2 Writing
- Time allowed: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Number of parts: 2
- Number of tasks: Part 1: one compulsory; Part 2: one chosen from four available options
- Scoring: 20% of the final grade
- Task types: Articles, emails, essays, letters, reviews, short stories (B2 First for Schools only), and reports (B2 First only).
Detailed description of individual parts of B2 First Writing
| Part | Content | What does it assess? | Text length |
| Part 1 | The student receives an essay topic and two points/ideas. They must write an essay presenting their own opinion, using the given points and adding a third idea of their own. The topics are general and do not require specialized knowledge. | Expressing opinions and presenting arguments to justify a standpoint. | 140–190 words |
| Part 2 | The student chooses one text from four options: article, email/letter, review, short story (Schools version only), or report (Standard version only). | Writing various functional forms. Depending on the question, you must: advise, compare, describe, explain, express opinions, justify, and/or recommend. | 140–190 words |
B2 First – Listening
Listening consists of four parts. In each part, you must listen to recordings and answer questions. Each recording is played twice.
General Information about B2 Listening
- Time allowed: approx. 40 minutes
- Number of parts: 4
- Number of questions: 30
- Playback: You hear each recording twice.
Detailed description of individual parts of B2 First Listening
| Part | Content | What does it assess? | No. of questions | Scoring |
| Part 1 (Multiple choice) | A series of short, unrelated recordings (approx. 30 sec each). Each has one question with three options (A, B, or C). | Catching emotions, attitudes, opinions, purpose of the speaker, gist, and details. | 8 | 1 pt for each correct answer |
| Part 2 (Sentence completion) | A monologue lasting 3–4 minutes. You must fill in gaps in sentences on the sheet with information heard in the recording. | Catching details, specific information, and expressed opinions. | 10 | 1 pt for each correct answer |
| Part 3 (Multiple matching) | Five short, thematically related monologues (approx. 30 sec each). You must match each speaker’s statement to one of eight statements from a list. | Understanding the gist, purpose, feelings, message, and details. | 5 | 1 pt for each correct answer |
| Part 4 (Multiple choice) | An interview or conversation between two people lasting 3–4 minutes. You must answer 7 multiple-choice questions (A, B, or C). | Understanding opinions, attitude, main idea, and specific information. | 7 | 1 pt for each correct answer |
B2 First – Speaking
The oral exam consists of four parts and is usually taken in a pair with another candidate. Two examiners are present in the room: one conducts the conversation and asks questions, while the other only listens to what the test taker says..
General Information about B2 Speaking
- Time allowed: 14 minutes per pair of candidates
- Number of parts: 4
- Interaction: Conversation with the examiner, conversation with the other candidate, and individual speaking.
- Examiners: One interlocutor (asks questions) and one assessor (only listens).
Detailed description of individual parts of B2 Speaking
| Part | Content | What does it assess? | Duration |
| Part 1 (Interview) | Conversation with the examiner. Questions concern personal information, past experiences, current situation, and future plans. | Providing personal information and expressing opinions on various topics. | approx. 2 mins per student |
| Part 2 (Long turn) | Individual speaking based on two photos. After candidate A speaks fluently for one minute, candidate B must answer a short question about the same photos. | Speaking on your own: comparing, describing, expressing opinions. | 1 min per person + 30s for partner’s response |
| Part 3 (Collaborative task) | A shared conversation between candidates. The examiner provides a question and a set of prompts. After 2 minutes of discussion, a joint decision must be made on the issue. | Exchanging views, justifying opinions, agreeing/disagreeing, suggesting, negotiating. | 2 mins discussion + 1 min for decision |
| Part 4 (Discussion) | An in-depth discussion with the other candidate (guided by the examiner) on the topics raised previously in Part 3. | Expressing and justifying opinions, polite discussion, and responding to the partner’s arguments. | approx. 4 mins total |
B2 First vs. B2 First for Schools – which version to choose?
Many people wonder if there are differences in difficulty between the standard version of the exam and the “for Schools” version. The answer is simple: in terms of content and structure, both exams are identical. They have the same format, number of tasks, the same scoring, and exactly the same level of difficulty.
The main difference lies in the topics of the tasks, especially in the Writing and Speaking parts. In the “for Schools” version, the topics are tailored to the experiences and interests of school-age youth (e.g., school, hobbies, sports), avoiding typically corporate or professional themes.
Important points:
- Who it is for: The name “for Schools” does not mean it is exclusively for school groups – it is simply the version dedicated to school-aged students.
- Age and Choice: Theoretically, an adult can take the “for Schools” version, and a teenager can take the classic version. However, keep in mind that this involves being in a different age group during the exam.
- The Certificate: The information about the “for Schools” version does not appear on the certificate itself. The document simply confirms the achievement of the B2 First level, regardless of which thematic version the candidate took.
Summary
The B2 First (FCE) exam, like all Cambridge English exams, is characterized by a very clear and repetitive structure. This is a great advantage – you know exactly what to expect from every task. This allows for the development of specific task-solving strategies.
How to best approach your preparation?
- Identify weak points: Instead of repeatedly doing what you already know, focus on the task types that cause you the most difficulty (e.g., Word Formation or Key Word Transformations).
- Practice makes perfect: Regularly solving past exam papers will allow you to get a feel for the exam’s pace and avoid time pressure.
Don’t be afraid to speak and write: A Cambridge exam is not just about grammar, but primarily about communication. The more you create your own texts and utterances, the more natural you will appear during the exam.
FAQ – B2 First (FCE) Exam Structure, Tasks & Scoring Explained
1. What skills are assessed in the B2 First (FCE) exam?
The exam evaluates four key language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking, focusing on both accuracy and communication.
2. How is the B2 First exam structured?
It consists of four parts: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, each testing different language competencies.
3. How long does each part of the B2 First exam take?
Reading and Use of English takes 75 minutes, Writing 80 minutes, Listening حوالي 40 minutes, and Speaking 14 minutes per pair of candidates.
4. Which part of the exam has the highest weight?
Reading and Use of English accounts for 40% of the final score, making it the most heavily weighted section.
5. What types of tasks appear in the Reading and Use of English paper?
It includes seven task types such as multiple-choice cloze, open cloze, word formation, key word transformations, and text matching exercises.
6. What do you need to write in the B2 First Writing paper?
You must complete two tasks: a compulsory essay and one additional text (e.g., article, email, review, or report).
7. How does the Listening section work?
It includes four parts with 30 questions in total, and each recording is played twice to help you capture both main ideas and details.
8. What happens during the Speaking exam?
You take the test with another candidate, completing four parts that involve answering questions, describing photos, collaborating, and discussing topics.
9. Is there a difference between B2 First and B2 First for Schools?
No, both versions have the same structure, difficulty, and scoring—the only difference is the topic focus, which is adapted for younger candidates in the Schools version.
10. How should you prepare effectively for the B2 First exam?
Focus on weaker areas, practice with past papers to manage timing, and regularly develop your speaking and writing skills to improve overall performance.
