B2 · FCECambridge English
B2 First (FCE) — Complete Exam Guide
Exam format, paper-by-paper breakdown, scoring explained, and examiner-approved tips for every section.
A2
B1
B2
C1
C2
Total time
3h 45min
across 4 papers
Papers
4
Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
Cambridge Scale
160–190
to pass (Grade C or above)
CEFR level
B2
Upper Intermediate
Exam structure at a glance
Reading & Use of English
1h 15m
40% of final mark
7 parts, 52 questions. Tests vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension.
Writing
1h 20m
20% of final mark
2 tasks, 140–190 words each. Part 1 is compulsory; Part 2 is a choice of format.
Listening
~40m
20% of final mark
4 parts, 30 questions. Each recording is played twice.
Speaking
~14m
20% of final mark
4 parts with an interlocutor and assessor. Taken in pairs (or a group of 3).
Papers — tap to explore each one
Scoring & results
180–190
A
C1
Exceptional — certificate shows C1 ability
173–179
B
B2
Strong pass — solid upper-intermediate
160–172
C
B2
Pass — meets most university & work requirements
140–159
Level B1
B1
Near-pass — results slip only, no certificate
Below 140
—
—
Unsuccessful — retake recommended after focused prep
University
Accepted by most UK universities for undergraduate entry. Top institutions (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE) require C1+.
Work
Recognised by employers worldwide as proof of professional English communication ability.
Visa & residency
Accepted for some immigration routes in the UK, Australia, and Canada. Check requirements for your specific pathway.
Tips & tricks by section
Time management
Parts 1–2 (cloze): 12–15 min combined
Parts 3–4 (word formation & transformations): 15–18 min
Parts 5–7 (reading): 35–40 min — skim first, then scan
If stuck on a question after 90 seconds, mark and move on
Most common mistakes
Choosing the first plausible option without comparing all four
Reading only the gap sentence — always read the surrounding context
Looking for exact word matches in Parts 5–7 (answers are paraphrased)
Spending too long on Part 4 transformations and running out of time
Examiner tips
Parts 1–2: Predict your answer before looking at options
Part 4: Both answer parts must be correct to earn 2 marks — get the full transformation right
Part 7: Do this last — it's the most time-intensive part
No penalty for wrong answers — attempt every question
Common questions
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Same format, same timing, same question types as the real Cambridge exam. Writing and Speaking marked by certified examiners.