FCE

About the FCE Exam

Format · sections · scoring · what to expect

What is the FCE?

The Cambridge B2 First (FCE) is a high-intermediate English qualification. It proves you can communicate effectively in English at a B2 level — used for university admission, employment, and visa applications worldwide.

The four papers

Reading & Use of English

7 parts · 52 questions · 75 minutes · 40% of total mark

Writing

2 parts · ~140–190 words each · 80 minutes · 20% of total mark

Listening

4 parts · 30 questions · ~40 minutes · 20% of total mark

Speaking

4 parts · ~14 minutes · with a partner · 20% of total mark

Reading & Use of English — the 7 parts

Part 1

Multiple-choice cloze (vocab) · 8 questions

Part 2

Open cloze (grammar) · 8 questions

Part 3

Word formation · 8 questions

Part 4

Key word transformation · 6 questions

Part 5

Multiple choice (long text) · 6 questions

Part 6

Gapped text · 6 questions

Part 7

Multiple matching · 10 questions

Scoring and grades

Cambridge English Scale: 140–190
Grade A (180–190) → C1 level
Grade B (173–179) → strong B2
Grade C (160–172) → B2 pass
Below 160 → not passed (B1 level reported)
Each paper contributes 20% of the total — except Reading & Use of English at 40%

On the day

Tip

Reading & Use of English is the longest paper (75 minutes) and worth the most marks (40%). It rewards practice and time management. The Word Play FCE section covers all 7 parts in detail.

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