B2 First for Schools

B2 First for Schools (FCEfS)

A B2 First for Schools (FCEfS) qualification shows that a student has the language skills they need to communicate in an English-speaking environment. 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.

A B2 First for Schools qualification shows that students can:

communicate effectively face to face, expressing opinions and presenting arguments
write clear, detailed English, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view
follow the news
write letters, reports, stories and lots of other types of text

Exam format

All four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) as well as grammar and vocabulary are tested.

Reading & Use of English

Writing

Listening

Speaking

The B2 First for Schools Reading and Use of English paper is in seven parts and has a mix of text types and questions. 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.

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 text.

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 for Schools 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 a letter, report or review and an essay.

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 for Schools Handbook

Sample Test B2 First for Schools Handbook Differences between sample test and exam

The B2 First for Schools 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 test 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.

40min

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 for Schools Speaking test has four parts and you take it together with another candidate. This test 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 for Schools test examiner comments

B2 First for Schools 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 for Schools (FCE)

Date

Type

Registration Deadline

Results Release Window

Price

Details

Date:
Fri 24.05.2024

Type:
digital

Registration Deadline:
14.05.2024

Results:
03.06.2024 -
07.06.2024 03.06 - 07.06

Price:
255 €

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 for Schools 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 for Schools, 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	Grade D (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 for Schools. 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.

The B2 First for Schools Certificate 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.