B2 First for Schools study plan
B2 First for Schools · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Reading and Use of English
Diagnose baseline performance by completing a timed full Reading and Use of English paper under exam conditions and recording raw scores per part.
Classify every error from the diagnostic into one of four causes: vocabulary gap, grammar gap, timing/rushing, or misreading the question.
Build a personal vocabulary log of 40 high-frequency B2 collocations and phrasal verbs drawn from the diagnostic texts and record them with example sentences.
Set a target score for each of the seven parts and a per-part time budget that totals 75 minutes.
Your checkpoint
A one-page diagnostic report listing part-by-part scores, error-cause tallies, the 40-item vocabulary log, and per-part time targets.
Reading and Use of English
Drill Part 1 multiple-choice cloze in sets of eight, identifying the collocation or fixed phrase that decides each answer.
Drill Part 2 open cloze, grouping each gap by the grammar word class required (article, preposition, auxiliary, pronoun, conjunction).
Drill Part 3 word formation, applying suffix and prefix rules and checking spelling and part of speech after each transformation.
Review all logged errors from Weeks 1–2 and rewrite each incorrect sentence correctly from memory.
Your checkpoint
Three completed cloze and word-formation drill sets with a corrected error log showing the rule that fixes each mistake.
Reading and Use of English
Practise Part 4 key word transformations in blocks of six, paraphrasing the prompt before writing and verifying that the meaning is unchanged.
Practise Part 5 multiple-choice reading by underlining the exact text that justifies each chosen option and eliminating each distractor with a reason.
Practise Part 6 gapped text by identifying cohesive devices (pronouns, determiners, linkers) that connect each missing sentence to its neighbours.
Complete one full timed Reading and Use of English paper and compare part scores with the Week 1 baseline.
Your checkpoint
A full timed paper with a score comparison table against Week 1 and a written justification for every Part 5 and Part 6 answer.
Reading and Use of English & Writing
Consolidate Part 7 multiple matching by scanning for paraphrased names, dates, and opinions rather than identical words.
Analyse two model Part 1 compulsory writing tasks (an email or letter) and label the opening, purpose, supporting details, and closing in each.
Draft one Part 1 email of 140–190 words under timed conditions and self-assess it against the four B2 assessment scales: content, communicative achievement, organisation, and language.
Rewrite the drafted email after feedback, correcting at least three specific weaknesses in register, linking, or range.
Your checkpoint
A first draft and a revised final version of one Part 1 email, each with a completed self-assessment grid against the four marking scales.
Writing
Compare the Part 2 task types (article, review, report, story) and select two to specialise in based on personal strengths.
Produce one article and one review of 140–190 words each, using a clear structure and at least three topic-specific vocabulary items per text.
Build a bank of 15 linking devices and discourse markers and insert them appropriately into the drafts.
Complete a timed 45-minute writing session covering both Part 1 and Part 2 tasks and check word counts and task fulfilment.
Your checkpoint
A portfolio of four finished texts (one email, one article, one review, one chosen fourth type), each with a checklist confirming task fulfilment and word count.
Listening
Familiarise with the four Listening parts by completing one part at a time and noting the task type and expected answer format for each.
Practise Part 1 short extracts by predicting possible content from the question stems before listening.
Practise Parts 2 and 3 by writing answers in the exact form required (one or two words, a number, a time) and checking spelling.
Complete one full timed Listening paper and transcribe the audio script for any item missed, marking where the answer was signalled.
Your checkpoint
A full Listening paper score plus a transcript analysis of every missed item showing the cue phrase that carried the answer.
Listening & Speaking
Practise Part 4 multiple matching by identifying the speaker who expresses each attitude or opinion and noting the paraphrase used.
Record and review two-minute monologues on three Part 1-style personal topics, checking fluency, pronunciation, and sustained speech.
Practise the Part 2 collaborative task by describing a visual prompt, negotiating a decision, and justifying choices with reasons.
Practise Part 3 and Part 4 discussion questions, using extended answers with examples rather than one-word responses.
Your checkpoint
Three recorded speaking responses (one long turn, one collaborative decision, one discussion) with a self-rating against the four speaking scales and two improvement notes per recording.
Reading and Use of English & Writing & Listening & Speaking
Sit one complete mock exam across all four papers under strict timing and record scores for each paper.
Review every error from the mock and assign each to a domain and a fixable cause.
Revisit the Week 1 diagnostic and Week 8 mock to quantify improvement per part and per domain.
Finalise a one-page exam-day strategy sheet covering time allocation, answer-sheet procedure, and personal weak-point reminders.
Your checkpoint
A mock exam score report with Week 1 vs Week 8 comparison and a completed one-page exam-day strategy sheet.
Milestones
Week 4: Score at least 60% on a full timed Reading and Use of English paper, with no single part below 50%, and submit one revised Part 1 email that meets all four assessment scales at B2 level.
Week 6: Score at least 65% on a full timed Listening paper and produce a four-text writing portfolio in which every text meets the word limit and task requirements.
Week 8: Achieve an overall mock score consistent with a B2 pass (at least 60% across all four papers) and demonstrate measurable improvement over the Week 1 diagnostic in every domain.