Cambridge B2 First preparation, with C1 Advanced notes
Qualifications that never expire.
What you get: The Cambridge B2 / C1 programme has 6 modules with 11 lessons (about 2.5 hours of study), 17 marked practice sets and 1 test. Lessons, practice and the free diagnostic test are free with an Al Noor account; marked feedback on writing and speaking come with the full programme.
Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking for B2 First and C1 Advanced.
About the test
B2 First has four papers: Reading and Use of English (7 parts, 1 hour 15 minutes), Writing (an essay and one task from a choice, 140–190 words each, 1 hour 20 minutes), Listening (4 parts, about 40 minutes) and Speaking (4 parts, about 14 minutes, usually with another candidate). Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale: 160–179 is a pass at B2, 180–190 is grade A and shows C1 level, and 140–159 earns a B1 certificate. The certificate does not expire.
What you will learn
Start here
How B2 First and C1 Advanced work, and how the Cambridge English Scale is read.
- How B2 First and C1 Advanced work · 12 min
Four papers, and a certificate that does not expire.
- Results and the Cambridge English Scale · 8 min
Grades, scores and the level on your certificate.
Use of English
The four Use of English parts: collocations, grammar words, word formation and transformations.
- Part 1: multiple-choice cloze · 12 min
Collocations, phrasal verbs and fixed phrases.
- Part 2: open cloze · 12 min
Filling gaps with grammar words.
- Part 3: word formation · 12 min
Prefixes, suffixes, and the word class the gap needs.
- Part 4: key word transformations · 15 min
Same meaning, a given word, two to five words.
Practice: Use of English Part 1: multiple-choice cloze · Use of English Part 2: open cloze · Use of English Part 3: word formation · Use of English Part 4: key word transformations
Reading
Multiple choice, gapped text and multiple matching.
- Reading Parts 5, 6 and 7 · 15 min
Opinion and attitude, text structure, and fast scanning.
Practice: Reading Part 5: multiple choice · Reading Part 6: gapped text · Reading Part 7: multiple matching
Writing
The essay, and the Part 2 choices: article, review, email or letter, and report.
- Part 1: the essay · 15 min
Two notes, your own idea, and a clear opinion.
- Part 2: articles, reviews and emails · 15 min
Writing for the right reader in the right register.
Practice: Writing Part 1: essay · Writing Part 2: article · Writing Part 2: review · Writing Part 2: email
Listening
Short extracts, sentence completion, multiple matching and a longer interview.
- The four listening parts · 15 min
Attitude, detail, gist — and distractors that sound right.
Practice: Listening Part 1: short extracts · Listening Part 2: sentence completion · Listening Part 3: multiple matching
Speaking
The interview, the long turn, the collaborative task and the discussion.
- The four speaking parts · 15 min
Comparing, speculating, negotiating and giving opinions.
Practice: Speaking Part 1: interview · Speaking Part 2: long turn · Speaking Parts 3 and 4: discussion
Tests and mocks
- Free diagnostic test Free
About 20 minutes of Use of English, listening and speaking, to show where to start.
Use of English 8 min · Listening 3 min · Speaking 4 min — 16 minutes in all
Questions about Cambridge B2 / C1
Does a Cambridge English certificate expire?
No, the certificate does not expire — though a university or employer may ask for a recent result.
What score do I need to pass B2 First?
160 to 179 on the Cambridge English Scale is a pass at B2 (grades B and C). 180 to 190 is grade A and shows C1 level.
Start Cambridge B2 / C1 today
Create a free Al Noor account to open every lesson and practice set, and take the free diagnostic test to see where to begin.
Independent preparation — not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment.