The Cambridge FCE / B2 First Exam
Table of Contents
- What is the Cambridge B2 First / FCE Exam?
- Are there different types of B2 First / FCE?
- Who makes the B2 First / FCE Exam?
- When did the B2 First replace the FCE?
- What CEFR level is B2 First / FCE?
- What score do I need to pass the FCE / B2 First?
- The format of the Cambridge FCE / B2 First Exam
- The Reading and Use of English section of B2 First / FCE
- The Writing section of B2 First / FCE
- The Listening section of the Cambridge FCE / B2 First Exam
- The Speaking section of the Cambridge FCE / B2 First Exam
What is the Cambridge B2 First / FCE Exam?
The Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) exam, also known as B2 First, is a comprehensive English language exam that tests a candidate’s ability to use English in a wide range of different situations. It is targeted to candidates who have an intermediate to upper-intermediate level of English proficiency and are looking to certify their language skills.
Are there different types of FCE?
The Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) exam is offered in two formats: the FCE and the FCE for Schools.
The FCE (First Certificate in English) is intended for adult learners who wish to demonstrate their ability to use English in a wide range of situations. It is widely recognized by employers, universities, and government agencies around the world as a proof of language proficiency.
The FCE for Schools is intended for young learners between the ages of 14 and 17. It covers the same material as the standard FCE but may have slightly different questions and tasks to reflect the age range of the candidates.
Both formats are marked to the same standard and are equivalent in terms of the level of language proficiency they demonstrate. Both are also at B2 level of CEFR.
Who makes the B2 First / FCE Exam?
The B2 First Exam is administered by Cambridge Assessment English, which is part of the University of Cambridge. The exam is recognized internationally by employers, universities and government agencies as proof of language proficiency at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
When did the B2 First replace the FCE?
The Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) exam has not been replaced, it’s still ongoing. Currently the exam is referred as Cambridge English B2 First, whereas earlier it was called Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE).
Cambridge Assessment English made a decision to change the name from FCE (First Certificate in English) to B2 First (Certificate in Advanced English) from January 2015, to align the name of the exam with the CEFR level of the exam which is B2 / upper-intermediate. It is the same exam and tests the same abilities and skill levels as before, but with a more appropriate name.
What CEFR level is FCE?
The Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) is at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). B2 level is considered as Upper-Intermediate level, Candidates at this level have a general command of the language and the ability to understand and use it in most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken. They can also form clear opinions and arguments to defend their point of view on topical issues, while showing awareness of different perspectives.
What score do I need to pass the FCE?
The Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) exam is is conducted over a period of 4 hours. The total marks for the FCE Exam is 80 marks. The exam is graded on a scale of A, B, C, and E (E means fail). A passing grade is generally considered to be a grade of C or above (which is 40 out of 80). However, it’s also worth noting that different institutions and organizations may have different requirements for passing the FCE. Some may require a grade of B or higher, while others may accept a grade of C. So it’s best to check with the specific institution or organization you are applying to to confirm their requirements.
The exam is marked by Cambridge Assessment English, and the results are usually available around two to three weeks after the exam date. A certificate is issued to those candidates who pass the exam, which serves as proof of their language proficiency at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The format of the Cambridge FCE / B2 First Exam
The exam takes 4 hours and is divided into four main sections:
- Reading and Use of English
- Listening
- Writing
- speaking
The Reading and Use of English section of B2 First / FCE
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
# of parts: 7
# of questions: 52
Score: 1 point for each question
Value: 40% of your overall mark
The Reading and Use of English section shows you can confidently manage different types of texts, such as newspapers, magazines, fiction, and non-fiction. It also examines your ability to accurately perform a variety of tasks, such as completing sentences, making word forms, transforming sentences, and finding errors in sentences.
The Writing section of B2 First / FCE
Time: 80 minutes
# of parts: 2
Value: 20% of your overall mark
Candidates complete 2 writing tasks, such as an essay, letter, email, review, or report.
The Listening section of the Cambridge FCE / B2 First Exam
Time: 40 minutes
# of parts: 4
# of questions: 30
Score: 1 point for each question
Value: 20% of your overall mark
Part 1 – listen to 8 monologues or dialogues (8 questions)
Part 2 – listen to a long monologue and complete gapped sentences (10 questions)
Part 3 – listen to 5 monologues – multiple matching (5 questions)
Part 4 – a long dialogue (7 multiple choice questions)
The Listening section of the B2 First / Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) exam is designed to test a candidate’s ability to understand spoken English in a variety of different contexts and situations. The section is divided into four parts and lasts for about 40 minutes.
Listening Test Part 1
In Part 1, candidates are presented with a series of short monologues or dialogues and are asked multiple-choice questions about them. These dialogues may be between two people, such as a customer and a shop assistant, or between several people, such as a group of friends. They cover a wide range of topics and are designed to test candidates’ understanding of basic information and details.
Listening Test Part 2
In Part 2, candidates are presented with a monologue, such as a phone message or a lecture, and are asked questions about it. This part of the section is designed to test candidates’ ability to understand specific information and details in spoken text.
Listening Test Part 3
In Part 3, candidates are presented with monologues, and are asked questions about it. This part of the section is designed to test candidates’ ability to understand the main ideas and opinions expressed in spoken text.
Listening Test Part 4
In Part 4, candidates listen to a long dialogue and answer multiple choice questions. This part is designed to test candidates’ understanding of the information and detail in the spoken text.
Overall, The Listening section will test candidates ability to understand spoken English in a variety of different contexts and situations, such as short dialogues, monologue, conversation, and to answer multiple-choice questions, match audio to the text.
The Speaking section of the Cambridge FCE / B2 First Exam
Time: 14 minutes
# of parts: 4
Value: 20% of your overall mark
The Speaking section of the Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) exam is designed to test a candidate’s ability to use English in spoken interaction. The section lasts for about 14 minutes and is conducted with 1 or 2 candidates.
The test is administered by 2 examiners: One is the interlocutor, who will be talking directly to you and your partner, while the other examiner will remain silent, make notes, and record your mark. The two examiners together agree on your score. The speaking test can take place on the same day of your exam or another day.
The speaking test has four parts:
- Interview (4 minutes)
- Long Turn (3 minutes)
- Collaborative Task (3 minutes)
- Conversation (4 minutes)
Speaking Part One: Interview
The examiner asks questions, and you discuss your interests, studies, career plans, etc.
Part 1: Candidates will have a brief conversation with the examiner on general topics such as personal information, interests, and opinions.
Speaking Part Two: Long Turn
Part 2 lasts about 3 minutes, and evalutates your ability to talk on your own about something while comparing, describing, expressing opinions, and speculating.
Candidates will be given a card with a topic, picture or text on it as well as a discussion question. They will have to speak speak for one minute continuously about the topic on the card, giving their opinion and rationale. After you speak, the other candidate will comment on the same card for 30 seconds.
The procedure is repeated. However, this time the other candidate speaks for a minute about a different card, and you will respond for 30 seconds.
Speaking Part Three: Collaborative Task
This part is 3 minutes long: a 2 minute discussion followed by a 1 minute task.
In the first 2 minutes, the two candidates have to work together and discuss material the examiner gives. In the last minute, the 2 candidates must reach a decision together.Your goal is not to ‘win,’ but to engage in the task with the other candidate.
Speaking Part 4: Conversation
Candidates engage in a conversation on a given topic.
