B2 First

B2 First (FCE)

The B2 First (FCE) is Cambridge's 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.

The B2 First certificate 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.

Exam Format

B2 First is made up of four papers developed to test your English skills. The formats below are the same for both the paper-based and computer-based exams.

Reading & Use of English

Writing

Listening

Speaking

The B2 First Reading and Use of English paper is in seven parts and has a mix of text types and questions. Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. Tests your use of English with tasks that show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary.

For Parts 1 to 4, you read a range of texts and do grammar and vocabulary tasks.

For Parts 5 to 7, you read a series of texts and answer questions that test your reading ability and show that you can deal with a variety of different types of texts.

1 hour 15 minutes

52 questions in 7 parts

About 2,200 words to read in total.

Check your answers (see PDF) as you do the test. Once the test has finished you will not be able to check them anymore!

Sample Test Answer Key Differences between sample test and exam

In the two parts of the B2 First Writing paper, you have to show that you can write different types of text in English. This test requires you to be able to produce two different pieces of writing, such as letters, reports, reviews and essays.

1 hour 20 minutes

Part 1: Write an opinion essay (140–190 words)

Part 2: Write an article, email/letter, report or review (140–190 words)

There is no answer key for the Writing paper, but there are sample answers and examiner comments in the relevant pages of the B2 First Handbook

Sample Test B2 First Handbook Differences between sample test and exam

The B2 First Listening paper has four parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice. This requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as news programmes, presentations and everyday conversations.

About 40 minutes

30 questions

Listening for specific information, stated opinion, feeling, attitude, opinion, purpose, function, agreement, gist and detail etc

Check your answers (see PDF) as you do the test. Once the test has finished you will not be able to check them anymore!

Sample Test Answer Key Differences between sample test and exam

The B2 First Speaking test has four parts and you take it together with another candidate. Shows how good your spoken English is as you take part in conversation by asking/answering questions and discussing topics. Your Speaking test will be face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. One of the examiners talks to you and the other examiner listens. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable.

14 minutes per pair of candidates

One of the examiners talks to you and the other examiner listens

Two or three candidates, two examiners

Check out this example video to see what happens during a B2 First Speaking test.

B2 First Speaking test examiner comments

B2 First Digital tutorial

Please watch the tutorial to familiarise yourself with the functions of the platform and to be well prepared for the exam day.

Preparation needed?

Are you interested in a proper preparation for the exam? Simply give us a call or fill out the contact form to make a free appointment for a detailed consultation. You can do a full course to increase your language level or just a few hours to prepare for the exam. Together we will find out your right level and can start planning your course immediately!

Dates and Fees

Click to expand and see all exam dates as well as the registration deadlines and prices. Please note that real-time availability will only be checked once you clicked on the button “Registration”.

B2 First (FCE)

Date

Type

Registration Deadline

Results Release Window

Price

Details

Date:
Fri 13.12.2024

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
03.12.2024

Results:
20.12.2024 -
27.12.2024 20.12 - 27.12

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Sat 01.02.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
22.01.2025

Results:
07.02.2025 -
14.02.2025 07.02 - 14.02

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Sat 01.03.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
19.02.2025

Results:
07.03.2025 -
14.03.2025 07.03 - 14.03

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Sat 29.03.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
19.03.2025

Results:
04.04.2025 -
11.04.2025 04.04 - 11.04

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Tue 15.04.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
04.04.2025

Results:
22.04.2025 -
29.04.2025 22.04 - 29.04

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Sat 17.05.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
07.05.2025

Results:
23.05.2025 -
30.05.2025 23.05 - 30.05

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Thu 05.06.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
26.05.2025

Results:
12.06.2025 -
19.06.2025 12.06 - 19.06

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Thu 12.06.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
02.06.2025

Results:
19.06.2025 -
26.06.2025 19.06 - 26.06

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Thu 26.06.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
16.06.2025

Results:
03.07.2025 -
10.07.2025 03.07 - 10.07

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Fri 04.07.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
24.06.2025

Results:
11.07.2025 -
18.07.2025 11.07 - 18.07

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Sat 02.08.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
23.07.2025

Results:
08.08.2025 -
15.08.2025 08.08 - 15.08

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Sat 30.08.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
20.08.2025

Results:
05.09.2025 -
12.09.2025 05.09 - 12.09

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Sat 27.09.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
17.09.2025

Results:
03.10.2025 -
13.10.2025 03.10 - 13.10

Price:
265 €

Registration

Date:
Sat 18.10.2025

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
08.10.2025

Results:
24.10.2025 -
31.10.2025 24.10 - 31.10

Price:
265 €

Registration

Here you can book your Cambridge English exam in Vienna. Please note that you will need a valid ID document to complete your booking. You will get all payment details to pay the exam fee (via bank transfer) at the end of this booking process.

B2 First Scores

You will receive a separate score for each of the four skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) and use of English, giving you a clear understanding of your performance.

The weighting of all four skills and the use of English is the same (20%). These five scores are averaged to give you an overall result for the exam.

Depending on which university, college or organisation you are applying to, you may be asked to achieve a specific score or grade, either overall or for a particular skill. For B2 First, the following scores will be used to report results:

Cambridge English Scale Score	Grade/CEFR	CEFR level
180–190	Grade A	C1
173–179	Grade B	B2
160–172	Grade C	B2
140–159	Level B1	B1

The exam is targeted at Level B2 of the CEFR. The examination also provides reliable assessment at the level above B2 (Level C1) and the level below (Level B1).

Scores between 122 and 139 are also reported for B2 First. You will not receive a certificate, but your Cambridge English Scale score will be shown on your Statement of Results.

Results and Certificates

Your results will be available online within 5-10 working days for digital exams and approximately 4-6 weeks after paper-based exams. About 2-3 weeks later, your certificate will be sent from Cambridge/UK to Vienna – you will be automatically informed once your certificate has arrived and is ready to be picked up at the Institute.

To access your results, you have to register using the ID Number and Secret Number provided on your Confirmation of Entry. After that you can login and check as well as share your results. Online Results Service for Candidates

Standardised Exams

Cambridge exams are designed to ensure standardised test conditions for people of all linguistic backgrounds and nationalities and are supported by a dedicated global research programme.

The exam covers all four language skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) and knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.

Worldwide Recognition

Cambridge English certificates are recognised by Universities and leading employers globally. For example: Deloitte. Ernst and Young, Marks and Spencer, HSBC, Juilliard and Freie Universität Berlin.

It is widely accepted for entry to foundation/pathway/pre-sessional courses in English-speaking countries and for entry to undergraduate programmes taught in the medium of English in non-English-speaking countries.