B2 First, formerly known as Cambridge English is one of the Cambridge English Qualifications that proves you have the language skills to live and work independently in an English-speaking country or study on courses taught in English.
Before jumping into the details of the exam, read 6 tips for your FCE Exam day.
The updated exam (for exam sessions from January 2015) is made up of four papers developed to test your English language skills:
1. Reading and Use of English (1 hour 15 minutes) 7 parts/52 questions MARKS: 40%
Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. Tests your use of English with tasks that show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary.
What’s in the Reading and Use of English paper?
The B2 First Reading and Use of English paper is in seven parts and has a mix of text types and questions.
For Parts 1 to 4, you read a range of texts and do grammar and vocabulary tasks.
For Parts 5 to 7, you read a series of texts and answer questions that test your reading ability and show that you can deal with a variety of different types of texts.
Cloze tests: most common words and expressions
2. Writing (1 hour 20 minutes) 2 parts MARKS:20%
Requires you to be able to produce two different pieces of writing, such as letters, reports, reviews and essays.
What’s in the Writing paper?
In the two parts of the B2 First Writing paper, you have to show that you can write different types of text in English.
3. Listening (about 40 minutes) 4 parts/30 questions MARKS: 20%
Requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as news programmes, presentations and everyday conversations.
What’s in the Listening paper?
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.
TIPS FOR THE LISTENING SECTION
4. Speaking (14 minutes per pair of candidates) 4 parts MARKS: 20%
Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face to face situations. You will take the Speaking test with one or two other candidates.
What’s in the Speaking paper?
The B2 First Speaking test has four parts and you take it together with another candidate.
There are two examiners. One of the examiners asks you questions and gives you the booklet with things to talk about. The other examiner listens to what you say.
Hope this article has helped you to have a general vision of this exam!
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