B2 First: the exam part by part, and the score you need
26 October 2026·6 min
Short answer: B2 First has four papers — Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking — and takes about three and a half hours in total. You pass with 160 on the Cambridge English Scale; score 180 or more and you're awarded a C1 certificate instead. You don't need to pass each paper separately: the average is what counts. So the strategy is to secure the "easy" marks and never give any away to timing or format.
The four papers
| Paper | Time | What's inside |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English | 1 h 15 min | 7 parts: grammar and vocabulary (parts 1–4) and reading comprehension (parts 5–7) |
| Writing | 1 h 20 min | A compulsory essay plus one task of your choice: email or letter, article, report or review (140–190 words each) |
| Listening | about 40 min | 4 parts, each recording played twice |
| Speaking | 14 min | In pairs, with two examiners: personal questions, photos, a shared task and a discussion |
How it's scored
Each skill (Reading, Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking) carries the same weight: 20% of the result. Your overall score is the average on the Cambridge English Scale:
- 160–179: pass, B2 certificate.
- 180–190: grade A, C1 certificate.
- 140–159: not a B2 pass, but you receive a B1 certificate.
Where the marks are
- Key word transformations (Use of English, part 4). Six sentences to rewrite using a given word. Each is worth two marks, and half an answer can still earn one: never leave it blank. Do five a day.
- The Writing essay. It's compulsory, so arrive with a structure: introduction, one paragraph for each of the two points given, a third point of your own, conclusion. A fixed plan saves you ten minutes.
- Speaking in pairs. Examiners reward interaction: ask your partner questions, react to what they say and don't dominate. A long silence costs more than a grammar slip.
- Listening. Read the questions before the recording and underline the key words. Listen once to understand, the second time to confirm.
The mistakes that fail most candidates
- Running out of time in Reading and Use of English: keep 20 minutes for parts 5–7.
- Writing fewer than 140 words, or drifting away from what the task asks.
- Studying only grammar and leaving Speaking for the last month.
How we prepare it at British Fleming School
Small groups by level, a full mock exam every few weeks with detailed feedback, and Speaking practice in pairs, just like on the day. Not sure you're ready for B2? Start with the free level test: in half an hour you'll know how far you are and which exam date makes sense.