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About
B2 First for Schools
Information for candidates
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The Information for Candidates booklet is packed with study tips, exam advice and frequently asked questions. A great way to help your learners feel fully prepared for their exam.
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Please click on the image below to download the booklet.
B2 First for Schools, formerly known as Cambridge English: First for Schools (FCE for Schools), is one of our Cambridge English Qualifications. It gives students the confidence to use their English in the real world.
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A B2 First for Schools qualification shows that a student has the language skills they need to communicate in an English-speaking environment.
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It’s also a great way to prepare for higher-level exams such as C1 Advanced.
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B2 First for Schools is targeted at the same CEFR level as B2 First but with content aimed at school-age learners rather than adults.
Exam Format
The exam is made up of four papers developed to test your English language skills. Click to find sample papers. For preparation guidance, click here.
Paper 1: Reading and Use of English
75 MINUTES
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Students need to be able to understand a range of texts, including how they are organised and the opinions and attitudes expressed in them. The texts will be from sources familiar to school-aged learners, such as magazines, articles, fiction and advertisements, but targeted at the interests of students.
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Students’ use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well they can control their grammar and vocabulary.
Paper 2: Writing
80 MINUTES
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Students are required to produce two pieces of writing. The first piece is compulsory and will be an essay of 140–190 words. For the second, they can choose from an article, email/letter, essay, review or story of 140–190 words.
Paper 3: Listening
ABOUT 40 MINUTES
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Requires being able to follow and understand a range of familiar spoken materials, such as news programmes, public announcements and other sources, but targeted at the interests of school-aged learners.
Paper 4: Speaking
14-20 MINUTES
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Shows you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Your Speaking test will be conducted usually face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. One of the examiners (who could be online, examining remotely) talks to you and the other examiner listens. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. Examiners may use their mobile phones for entering marks using an app.