B2 FIRST CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH QUALIFICATIONS PREPARATION COURSE
Do you want to pass the B2 First exam? Do you need proof of how well you know English because you plan to study or work abroad?
Do you want to get an internationally recognized certificate because you know its value?
Cambridge English Qualifications are a great solution for you!
What will you learn?
You will improve the range of grammar structures you actively use, learn a large number of words and phrases that are needed at the B2 level. During the course you will improve all language skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking) using exercises that are in the same format as the tasks in the exam, so that throughout the course you focus on mastering vocabulary and grammar, but also acquiring all necessary language skills and strategies required to take the B2 First exam.
During the course, we will also do and analyze B2 First Practice Tests and B2 First Past Papers. This aspect of the course is very important as it provides an opportunity to assess your achievement in every part of the exam and consequently improve your knowledge where needed. Also, you will know exactly what is expected of you in the exam and you will improve your skills and your knowledge in a timely manner.
The duration of the B2 First Cambridge English Qualifications preparation course is 10 months, and 90-minute classes are taught via Skype or face-to-face twice a week. The preparation course content is well-targeted and effective. Teaching materials used in the preparation course consist of a baseline program (a coursebook) and Practice Tests and Past Papers along with other relevant online resources, that from the very beginning of the course familiarize students with the type of exercises present in the exam itself. All of this will help you track your progress as well as have an insight into your achievement in every part of the exam. After determining which skills or areas need more attention at the very beginning of the course, we will adjust the program so that you can master them as efficiently and as successfully as possible.
ABOUT B2 FIRST EXAM
B2 First / B2 First for Schools
B2 First is an upper-intermediate level Cambridge exam in English and is marked B2 on the scale of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) of the Council of Europe. Candidates at this level are expected to be able to work or study and, as tourists, easily find their way in English-speaking countries. This certificate is accepted as a sufficient confirmation of knowledge for employment and some studies throughout the UK, as well as everywhere in the world. On the Internet, you can view the Global Recognition System, an interactive database where you can search for all those educational institutions, professional bodies, companies, etc. that recognize and/or require Cambridge English Qualifications all around the world.
Since 2011, candidates can also register for the B2 First for Schools version of the exam. B2 First for Schools follows the same format as B2 First, and the required level of knowledge is identical. The only difference is that the topics covered in the B2 First for Schools exam is specially tailored to the interests and experience of school-age candidates.
Exam format
Paper 1 – Reading and Use of English (75 minutes)
Reading: 3 parts – three longer texts with different exercises for each text (multiple choice, gapped text, and multiple matching). Use of English: this part of the exam contains tasks that assess knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary (4 parts: multiple choice cloze, open cloze, word formation and key word transformations).
Paper 2 – Writing (80 minutes)
In the two parts of the B2 First Writing Paper candidates have to show that they can write different types of text in English. Part 1 consists of one compulsory question and Part 2 consists of one question from a choice of three. This part of the exam assesses the candidate’s ability to write an essay, a letter, an email (formal and informal), a review, an article or a report on various assigned topics. Candidates have to write two texts (each from 140 to 190 words).
Paper 3 – Listening (about 40 minutes)
The B2 First Listening paper has four parts (multiple choice (8 short extracts), sentence completion, multiple matching and multiple choice (a conversation)). For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice. This part of the exam assesses the candidate’s ability to understand various recorded texts, from phone messages, radio broadcasts and features, news, public announcements, stories and anecdotes, lectures and talks to speakers interacting in conversations, interviews, discussions, radio plays.
Paper 4 – Speaking (14 minutes)
The B2 First Speaking paper has four parts (interview, long turn, collaborative task and discussion) and is taken together with another candidate or other 2 candidates. This part of the exam assesses the candidate’s ability to interact and express themselves in different situations: in conversation with the examiner, other candidates and talking on their own.
Results
You will receive a separate score for each of the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and use of English, giving you a clear understanding of your performance. These five scores are averaged to give you an overall result for the exam. You will also be given a grade and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level.
Each part of the exam carries 20% of the overall score. The final grade is the sum of the achieved results in all 5 parts (4 papers of the exam), which means that the weaker achievement in one part can be compensated on the basis of good results from another. There are three passing grades (A 100%-80%, B 79%-75% or C 74%-60%). If the candidate achieves grades B or C, they will receive a B2 First certificate; if they achieve a grade A, they will receive a B2 First certificate stating that the candidate demonstrates an ability at level C1. With this grade the certificate does not become a C1 level certificate, but only indicates that the candidate can reach the C1 level at a faster pace.
If the candidate’s achievement is below the B2 level, but falls within the range of the B1 level (the achieved result is 59%-45%), the candidate will not receive a certificate, but their Cambridge English Scale score will be shown on their Statement of Results stating that the candidate has demonstrated an ability at the B1 level.
Individual results achieved in all 5 parts of the exam are listed on the certificate.
Register for the B2 First Cambridge English Qualifications Preparation Course!