Exam preparation · Cambridge
Cambridge B2 First preparation course: confident in Use of English and Speaking
Cambridge B2 First, formerly known as FCE, is a lifelong certificate of English at B2 level. In our online preparation course you train for all four papers live with a teacher, with a focus on Use of English, Writing and the paired Speaking test. Mock exams under real exam conditions show you when you are ready.
5.0 on Google (125 reviews)since 20151 in 25 teacher applicants passes our selection
At a glance
Cambridge B2 First in brief
| Level | B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) |
|---|---|
| Papers | Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, Speaking |
| Duration | about 3.5 hours in total: Reading and Use of English 1 hr 15 min, Writing 1 hr 20 min, Listening about 40 min, Speaking 14 min per pair |
| Scale | Cambridge English Scale: 160 to 190 for B2 (Grade A 180 to 190, certified at C1; Grade B 173 to 179; Grade C 160 to 172); 140 to 159 earns a B1 certificate |
| Result | five equally weighted scores (Reading, Use of English, Writing, Listening, Speaking) plus an overall score |
| Validity | the certificate does not expire; each institution decides how recent a certificate must be |
| Used for | work, job applications, vocational training and some university courses; taken on paper or on computer |
Cambridge B2 First preparation course online at choices®: the essentials
Our B2 First preparation course combines language training at B2 level with exam technique. You start with a placement and diagnostic test, receive a study plan that runs up to your exam date and train live online, one-to-one or in a small group of up to six. Writing feedback against the official criteria and full mock exams are always included.
What the course includes
- Placement and diagnostic test with results for all five exam components
- Study plan worked out backwards from your exam date
- Use of English training covering key word transformations, word formation and gap-fill tasks
- Writing corrections based on Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation and Language
- Paired Speaking simulations, either in a small group or with a second teacher
- Mock exams under exam conditions, on paper or on computer
Please note: choices® does not run the B2 First exam and does not issue certificates. You register with an official Cambridge exam centre. The structure of the exam, how it is marked and sample tasks are explained in detail in our guide Cambridge B2 First: format, marking and preparation.
Do you need B2 First or C1 Advanced?
B2 First is the right choice if your English is solidly at B2 and you need a certificate that does not expire. If your university or employer asks for C1, C1 Advanced is the exam to take. The institution that wants the certificate decides the level and grade required, so get this confirmed in writing before you register.
Typical reasons for taking B2 First
- Job applications and career: “English B2 (Cambridge B2 First, Grade B)” on a CV says far more than “good English”. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, recruiters recognise the Cambridge name immediately.
- Training and study: some degree courses and programmes give B2 as the minimum level. Whether they accept B2 First is stated in their admission requirements.
- Personal goal: many adults want a recognised certificate to confirm the English they learnt at school or picked up at work.
One advantage of the Cambridge English Scale: with 180 to 190 points your certificate even states C1, and with 140 to 159 you still receive a B1 certificate (Cambridge English, results). If you are already comfortable at C1, read our article Cambridge C1 Advanced: how to prepare or look at our C1 Advanced preparation course.
How preparation for Cambridge B2 First works
Preparation for B2 First starts with a needs analysis and a diagnostic test in the Cambridge format. From this we build a study plan that ranks the five equally weighted components by effort and return. In lessons you practise task types and strategies; between lessons you write texts that come back with feedback. Mock exams show when you are ready.
- Needs analysis: what do you need the certificate for, by when, and with which grade?
- Placement and diagnostic test: a complete practice test shows where you are on the Cambridge English Scale.
- Study plan: because all five components count equally, we start where you can gain the most scale points for the least effort, which is often Use of English.
- Training and feedback: weekly writing tasks with corrections, Speaking practice in pairs, and listening and reading strategies.
- Mock exams: a second full run under real conditions, followed by focused revision of any weak areas.
Tell us the date and your target score. We will suggest a realistic preparation plan.
B2 First Reading and Use of English: training for all seven parts
Reading and Use of English lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and has seven parts with 52 questions. Parts 1 to 4 test grammar and vocabulary, parts 5 to 7 test reading comprehension. Because Use of English is scored as a separate component, systematic practice here often gains points faster than work on reading comprehension alone.
Use of English
We train collocations and phrasal verbs for the multiple-choice cloze, prepositions and auxiliary verbs for the open cloze, prefixes and suffixes for word formation, and key word transformations of no more than five words. Short daily exercises between lessons make a real difference here. You will find a short key word transformation exercise in our B2 First guide with examples.
Reading
Allow about 50 minutes for the three reading texts. We practise questions on opinion and attitude, reference words in the gapped text and fast scanning for information in multiple matching. The official format description sets out each part in detail.
B2 First Writing, Listening and Speaking with feedback
In Writing you produce two texts of 140 to 190 words each, in Listening you answer 30 questions on recordings that are played twice, and in Speaking you talk with a partner in front of two examiners. We train all three components with feedback based on the Cambridge criteria, so you know exactly what earns a higher mark.
Writing
Part 1 is a compulsory essay in which you add a third point of your own; in Part 2 you choose between tasks such as an article, email, review or report. According to the Cambridge handbook, texts are assessed on Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation and Language. Your teacher marks every text against these criteria. Our article Writing an essay in English exams also shows how to structure an exam essay.
Listening
Four parts: short extracts, sentence completion, matching monologues and an interview. We practise using the second listening to check your answers and recognising synonyms and paraphrases.
Speaking
Part 3 only works as a dialogue. That is why a small group is a real advantage here; in one-to-one lessons your teacher takes on the role of your partner. We train comparing photos, involving your partner and reaching a joint decision.
How long does a B2 First preparation course take?
If your English is already solidly at B2, format training usually takes four to eight weeks with two to three lessons a week. If you are still at B1, it takes considerably longer: Cambridge gives a rough guide of around 200 guided learning hours per CEFR level. No serious provider can guarantee a particular grade.
| Starting point | Focus | Rough guide |
|---|---|---|
| solidly at B2 | format, Use of English, time management | about 4 to 8 weeks |
| B2 not yet stable | Writing and Speaking with feedback, vocabulary | about 8 to 12 weeks |
| B1 | language building first, then exam training | several months |
The figure for guided learning hours comes from the Cambridge help page on guided learning hours. If your level is still well below B2, it makes sense to start with a general English course online and move on to exam preparation afterwards.
B2 First course: formats, prices and exam registration
You can book the preparation course as one-to-one lessons or in a small group of up to six, live online. Individuals pay from €49.99 incl. VAT per 45-minute lesson, companies from €40 net plus VAT per 45-minute lesson. The exam fee is not included and is paid directly to the exam centre.
For companies
Companies book the preparation for apprentices or employees who need a permanent proof of B2 English. After a needs analysis we put together groups at a similar level, ideally four people, and report on learning progress if you wish.
Registration and next steps
- You book your exam date with an official Cambridge exam centre near you, on paper or on computer. Cambridge English has the details.
- After your enquiry we arrange the needs analysis and diagnostic test and match you with a teacher trained in the Cambridge assessment criteria. Only about 1 in 25 applicants passes our teacher selection.
- If your teacher ever changes, a structured handover ensures that your progress and corrected texts are passed on.
Still deciding between Cambridge and a more flexible computer-based exam? Take a look at our Pearson English International Certificate preparation or the overview of exam preparation online.
More exams
Preparation for other certificates
Ask about a course
Tell us what you need. We will take care of the rest.
A few short questions, and within one working day you receive a concrete proposal: format, teacher and price.
- ✓ Free and without obligation
- ✓ Reply within one working day
- ✓ A human replies on the other side
Prefer email? hello@choices-global.com
No obligation. A human replies on the other side, not a bot.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does choices® run the Cambridge B2 First exam?
No. choices® prepares you online but does not run the exam or issue certificates. You register with an official Cambridge exam centre. We help you choose a realistic exam date.
Is B2 First the same as FCE?
Yes. Cambridge B2 First used to be called First Certificate in English, or FCE. Content and level are comparable; results are now reported on the Cambridge English Scale.
How long is the B2 First certificate valid?
According to Cambridge, the certificate does not expire. However, each university or employer decides how recent a certificate must be.
Can I practise Speaking in one-to-one lessons?
Yes. In one-to-one lessons your teacher plays both your partner and the examiner. If you like, you can add sessions in a small group to practise the paired format realistically.
Do you guarantee that I will pass?
No. After the diagnostic test we tell you honestly where you are on the Cambridge English Scale and how much preparation is usually needed. Nobody can seriously guarantee a result.
Can companies book the course for employees?
Yes. Companies book from €40 net plus VAT per 45-minute lesson, one-to-one or in small groups of up to six. On request you receive a report on learning progress.