Free B2 First PDF guide: the whole exam on a few pages
Our free B2 First quick guide puts the whole exam on a few printable pages: the format of every paper, how scoring works, the strategy for each part and a four-week revision plan. Enter your email, confirm it, and the download link is yours.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
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What's inside the guide
- The exam on one page. All four papers, the timing of each, and what every part asks you to do.
- Scoring without the confusion. How your five scores become one overall score, and what the grades mean.
- A strategy for every part. The method we teach in class for each task, from the multiple-choice cloze to the Speaking collaborative task.
- The traps examiners set. The mistakes that cost candidates marks again and again, and how to avoid them.
- A four-week revision plan. What to do each week if your exam is close, with links to free practice on this site.
- An exam-day checklist. What to bring, how to manage your time and how to stay calm.
Who it's for
The guide is for anyone preparing for B2 First or B2 First for Schools, whether you study with a teacher or on your own. It works best as a companion to the full guides on this site: read the guide to see the whole picture, then use the part-by-part pages and the practice sets to work on the areas you need most.
Teachers are welcome to share it with their students. Please share the link to this page rather than the file, so students always get the latest version.
How to use it
- Read the exam overview first, even if you think you know the format. Many candidates lose marks simply by misunderstanding what a task asks for.
- Pick your two weakest parts and read their strategy pages in the guide. Then practise them on the site with the matching practice set.
- Print the four-week plan and tick off each task as you finish it.
- The day before the exam, read the exam-day checklist and nothing else. Rest matters.
If you want a plan tailored to your exam date, try our free study planner, and estimate your level with the score calculator after each practice test.
Questions about the free guide
Is the guide really free?
Yes. There's no payment and no trial. You only need to confirm your email address so we know it's really you.
I didn't get the confirmation email. What should I do?
Check your spam or promotions folder first. If it isn't there after ten minutes, try again with the form above or email hello@passthefce.com.
Is the guide up to date?
Yes. All exam facts come from the same checked list as the rest of the site, and we update the guide whenever the official format changes.
Can I use it for B2 First for Schools?
Yes. The level and the task types are the same. Where the two versions differ, check the official information for your version.
How do I unsubscribe?
Every email has an unsubscribe link at the bottom. One click and you're off the list.