B2 First, formerly known as Cambridge English: First (FCE), is one of our Cambridge English Qualifications. It is our most popular exam, accepted by thousands of businesses and educational institutions worldwide.

A B2 First qualification proves you have the language skills to live and work independently in an English-speaking country or study on courses taught in English.

This exam is the logical step in your language learning journey between B1 Preliminary and C1 Advanced.

Key facts

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