B2 First overview

Cambridge's B2 First

A highly standarized test in detail

Speaking - 20%

Writing - 20%

Interview styleDialogue

An essayA second choice of writing

Full marks160-180

The final score is an average of the points obtained in each the papers. Therefore, it is not compulsory to excel in all of the skills being tested. You can no pass mark in one paper and compensate having a brilliant score in another one.

Listening - 20%

Reading and Use of English - 40%

4 types of exposure

3 textssTons of grammar and vocabulary

part 1: personal questions

It's a scripted play. You improvise the answers with the guidelines set by the examiner's rubric, in order to achieve as many points as possible.

part 2: compare the pictures while answering questions

part 3: chart

part 4: complementary questions

RUBRIC

12-14 minutes

part 1: formal or semi-formal essay

part 2: choose only one the instructions for review, email, letter, article or report.

Highly structured answers that require some level of creativity.

RUBRIC

90 minutes

they cannot evaluate

what you don't produce.

In the answer sheet, you can use blue or black ink only.

No ink eraser, white out, or tape of any sort.

You can cross out some words, but at some point it affects your score.

It's paramount that you plan before you start writing.

They will mention a word count, but it's just for guidance. We do NOT waste exam time counting words.

part 1: multiple choice cloze (r)

part 2: open cloze, text with gaps (uoe)

part 3: word formation (uoe)

part 4: key word transformation (uoe)

part 5: text with multiple choice questions (r)

part 6: text with sentences missing (r)

part 7: multiple matching (r)

90 minutes

part 1: 8 short recordings, each one with a question

part 2: long turn, complete gapped sentence with specific word(s)

part 3: 5 speakers with multiple matching

full test

part 4: long recording with 5 multiple choice questions

45 minutes