FCE exam format and timing: every paper explained

B2 First has four papers and gives you five scores: Reading, Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Reading and Use of English share one paper, but they are scored separately. Each score counts equally towards your overall result, which is explained on our B2 First grades page.

The format is the same whether you take the exam on computer or on paper. If you are still choosing, see computer-based vs paper-based.

Below, each paper is described in the order you usually take them. For each one we explain what the parts are and give a teacher's tip on managing your time.

This paper has 7 parts and 52 questions.

• Part 1: Multiple-choice cloze (8 questions, 1 mark each). A short text with gaps; you choose the right word from four options. It mostly tests vocabulary: collocations, fixed phrases and words with similar meanings.
• Part 2: Open cloze (8 questions, 1 mark each). A text with gaps but no options. You write one word in each gap, usually a grammar word such as a preposition, article or auxiliary.
• Part 3: Word formation (8 questions, 1 mark each). You change a given word to fit the gap, for example a verb into a noun.
• Part 4: Key word transformation (6 questions, up to 2 marks each). You rewrite a sentence using a given word so it means the same. You can get 1 mark for a partly correct answer.
• Part 5: Multiple choice (6 questions, 2 marks each). A longer text with questions about detail, opinion, attitude and meaning.
• Part 6: Gapped text (6 questions, 2 marks each). Sentences have been removed from a text and you put them back in the right place.
• Part 7: Multiple matching (10 questions, 1 mark each). You match statements to sections of a text or to several short texts.

Parts 1, 5, 6 and 7 make up your Reading score (42 marks). Parts 2, 3 and 4 make up your Use of English score (28 marks).

Teacher's tip on time: there is no separate time for each part, so you control the clock. Many of our students do Parts 1–4 first, aiming to finish them in about 30 minutes, and leave the rest for the longer reading texts. Try different orders in practice and keep the one that works for you. Our Reading and Use of English guide has a full strategy for each part.

You write two texts of 140–190 words each.

• Part 1 is compulsory and is always an essay. You get a question and two ideas to write about, and you must add a third idea of your own.
• Part 2: you choose one task from three. The options come from these types: an article, an email or letter, a review or a report.

Each text is marked on four criteria (Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation and Language), with up to 5 marks for each. That makes 20 marks per task and 40 in total.

Teacher's tip on time: 80 minutes for two short texts sounds generous, but planning and checking take longer than students expect. A simple split is about 40 minutes per task: 10 minutes to plan, 25 to write and 5 to check. See our Writing guide for each task type.

Listening has 4 parts and 30 questions, one mark each. You hear every recording twice.

• Part 1 (8 questions): short, unrelated extracts, with a multiple-choice question for each (three options).
• Part 2 (10 questions): one long monologue. You complete sentences with words you hear.
• Part 3 (5 questions): five short monologues on a connected theme. You match each speaker to an option.
• Part 4 (7 questions): an interview or conversation, with multiple-choice questions (three options).

At the end there are 2 minutes to check your answers on the computer version, or 5 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet on the paper version.

Teacher's tip on time: use any time you have before each recording to read the questions and underline key words. The first listening is for a first answer; the second is for checking. Our Listening guide explains each part in detail.

You usually take the Speaking test with another candidate. If there is an odd number of candidates, it can be a group of three, which lasts 20 minutes. There are always two examiners: one (the interlocutor) asks the questions, and the other (the assessor) listens and marks.

• Part 1: Interview (2 minutes). Questions about you, such as your free time, studies or plans.
• Part 2: Long turn (4 minutes in total). You compare two photos for about 1 minute, then answer a short question about your partner's photos.
• Part 3: Collaborative task (4 minutes in total). You discuss a question with your partner for 2 minutes, then have 1 minute to reach a decision.
• Part 4: Discussion (4 minutes). Broader questions linked to the Part 3 topic.

Teacher's tip: the examiner keeps time for you, so your job is to keep talking naturally and to involve your partner. Read our Speaking guide for strategies and practice questions.