Cambridge B2 First cheat sheet

The paper lasts 1 hour 15 minutes, contains 7 parts and 52 questions, and is worth 40% of the whole B2 First score - double the weight of each other paper.

Parts 1–4 form the Use of English section (32 questions on vocabulary, grammar and paraphrase); Parts 5–7 form the Reading section (22 questions on longer texts).

Part 1 multiple-choice cloze: a text with 8 gaps, four options (A–D) per gap, 1 mark each; it tests collocation, fixed phrases, phrasal verbs, linkers and semi-fixed expressions rather than general grammar rules.

Part 2 open cloze: 8 gaps, exactly one word per gap, normally a grammar word - article, preposition, auxiliary, modal, pronoun, relative or conjunction.

Part 3 word formation: 8 gaps, each completed by changing the base word printed in capitals, often with a prefix, a suffix, an internal change (long → length) or a negative form.

Part 4 key word transformations: 6 items, 2 marks each; the given word must be used unchanged, the answer must be 2–5 words, and 1 mark is given for a partly correct transformation.

Part 5: six four-option multiple-choice questions on one long text, 2 marks each; the questions follow the order of the text.

Part 6 gapped text: six sentences removed from a text and offered with one extra option (A–G), 2 marks each; the answer is found through referencing, cohesive devices, time sequence and topic continuity.

Part 7 multiple matching: ten questions matched to sections of one text or to four to six short texts, 1 mark each; each section may be used more than once.

The paper lasts 1 hour 20 minutes and has two tasks, both of 140–190 words; Part 1 is compulsory and in Part 2 candidates choose one task from three.

Part 1 is always an essay based on a statement, two given notes and one idea of the candidate's own; both notes and the own idea must be developed.

Part 2 offers article, email/letter (formal or informal), report or review; an essay is never offered in Part 2.

Each task is marked on four criteria - Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation and Language - each scored 0–5, giving 20 marks per task.

Content rewards covering every content point in the prompt and fully informing the target reader; missing or undeveloped points are the main cause of low Content scores.

Communicative Achievement rewards using the conventions of the text type (headline and paragraphs for an article, subheadings for a report, recommendation for a review) and a register suited to the target reader.

Organisation rewards clear paragraphing, logical sequencing and effective use of linking words and cohesive devices; Language rewards range and accuracy of grammar and vocabulary.

Answers below 140 words may lose Content marks because the task is not fully addressed; exceeding 190 words carries no direct penalty but risks irrelevant or repetitive content.

Reports and reviews normally need a title, and a report usually needs subheadings plus findings and recommendations; an email needs an appropriate opening and closing formula.

The paper lasts about 40 minutes, has 4 parts and 30 questions, each recording is heard twice, and the paper is worth 20% of the total score.

Part 1: eight short unrelated extracts, one three-option multiple-choice question per extract, 1 mark each.

Part 2: sentence or note completion with 10 gaps filled by a short phrase from a monologue; spelling and grammatical fit must be correct.

Part 3: multiple matching - five speakers on one theme matched to five of eight options, 1 mark per question.

Part 4: seven three-option multiple-choice questions on one longer interview or discussion, 2 marks each, so Part 4 carries the greatest weight.

The correct option normally paraphrases the recording; an option that repeats the speaker's exact words is usually a distractor.

Speakers frequently give a detail and then correct it ('actually', 'no, sorry, it's on Thursday'), so the answer is the revised version.

Distractors often match a word from the recording but contradict it on who, when, how much or whether - check the whole proposition, not single words.

In the paper-based test, 5 minutes are given at the end to copy answers onto the answer sheet; in the computer-based test answers are typed as you go.

The test lasts 14 minutes and is taken by two candidates with two examiners: the interlocutor conducts the test, the assessor awards the marks and does not take part.

Part 1 Interview lasts about 2 minutes and covers personal information, daily life, interests and, later in the test, more abstract opinions.

Part 2 Long turn: each candidate compares two photographs and answers a question written above them for about 1 minute, then responds for about 30 seconds to a question about the other candidate's photographs.

Part 3 Collaborative task: candidates discuss a mind map of options with each other for about 2 minutes, then make a decision together in about 1 minute.

Part 4 Discussion lasts about 4 minutes and asks questions linked to the Part 3 topic, often addressed to both candidates, who may answer each other.

Marks come from a Global Achievement score (0–5) plus four analytic criteria - Grammar and Vocabulary, Discourse Management, Pronunciation, Interactive Communication - each scored 0–5.

Interactive Communication rewards initiating, responding, turn-taking and keeping the interaction going with the partner; the partner is not a competitor.

Discourse Management covers coherence, organisation of ideas and the range and appropriacy of vocabulary and discourse markers.

Long turns need sustained speech: compare, speculate and develop (similarities, differences, reasons, personal reaction) rather than describing the photographs only.