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The B2 First exam, formerly known as Cambridge English: First (FCE), is one of the most widely recognised Cambridge English qualifications and is accepted by thousands of businesses and educational institutions around the world.

A B2 First qualification proves you have the language skills (Reading & Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking) to live, work or study independently in an English-speaking environment.

The B2 First exam is the logical next step in your language learning journey between the B1 Preliminary exam and the C1 Advanced exam.

Key facts

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

Overview

A B2 First qualification shows that you can:

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.
Reasons to choose the B2 First:

Reasons to choose the 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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Testimonials

Read real stories from people who have taken the B2 First exam. Find out how passing B2 First has helped students achieve their ambitions for work and study.


"It's important to me to take a Cambridge exam because everyone speaks English these days, but there's no way to prove it, and a Cambridge qualification allows me to demonstrate my level."

— Lucia Ganara
Student

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