Free Practice Questions for B2 First for Schools
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Key Facts: B2 First for Schools Exam
B2 First for Schools is set at CEFR level B2 by Cambridge University Press & Assessment and is the school-age version of B2 First.
The exam has four papers: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking, taking about 3 hours 30 minutes in total.
Reading and Use of English has 52 questions across 7 parts and is worth 40% of the total marks.
The Listening paper has 30 questions across 4 parts, lasts about 40 minutes, and every recording is played twice.
Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale, which runs from 142 to 190 for this exam.
A score of 160 or above is a pass at B2, with Grade A (180-190) indicating C1-level ability.
B2 First for Schools and B2 First share the same format and level, differing only in topic and task content.
The B2 First certificate has lifetime validity and is accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide.
B2 First for Schools is Cambridge's upper-intermediate (B2) English exam for teenagers, with the same format as B2 First but school-relevant topics; it has four papers, is scored on the Cambridge English Scale 142-190, and passes at 160 or above with a lifetime certificate.
Sample B2 First for Schools Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the B2 First for Schools exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Read this sentence from a school magazine article: 'Our team finally ______ the regional championship after three years of trying.' Which word best fits the gap?
2Choose the option that best completes this sentence: 'I couldn't ______ with the homework, so I asked my teacher for help.'
3Which word correctly completes this collocation: 'She made a real ______ to improve her grades this term.'?
4Complete the sentence: 'The science teacher ______ out an interesting experiment in front of the class.'
5Choose the best word: 'There is a strong ______ that the school trip will be cancelled because of the weather.'
6Select the word that fits: 'My best friend is very ______ on photography and takes pictures everywhere.'
7Complete this sentence from a teen blog: 'The film was so boring that I almost ______ asleep in the cinema.'
8Choose the correct word: 'Despite the difficult exam, she remained ______ and answered every question calmly.'
9Pick the word that completes the phrase: 'You should ______ advantage of the free study sessions before the exams.'
10Choose the best option: 'The teacher asked us to ______ our phones during the test.'
About the B2 First for Schools Exam
Cambridge English B2 First for Schools, often called FCE for Schools, is an upper-intermediate English qualification at CEFR level B2 from Cambridge University Press & Assessment. It follows exactly the same format and level as the adult B2 First exam but uses topics, texts and tasks tailored to the interests and experience of school-age learners. The exam has four papers: Reading and Use of English (1 hour 15 minutes, 52 questions over 7 parts and 40% of the marks), Writing (1 hour 20 minutes, 2 tasks), Listening (about 40 minutes, 30 questions over 4 parts) and Speaking (about 14 minutes per pair). Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale, where a score of 160 or above is a pass at B2 and the certificate has lifetime validity. The qualification is the logical step between B1 Preliminary for Schools and C1 Advanced and is accepted by thousands of schools, universities and employers worldwide.
Exam sponsor: Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge Assessment English). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
100 questions
Time Limit
About 3 hours 30 minutes across four papers: Reading and Use of English 1 hour 15 minutes, Writing 1 hour 20 minutes, Listening about 40 minutes, and Speaking about 14 minutes per pair.
Passing Score
Cambridge English Scale 142-190; 160 or above passes at B2 (Grade C 160-172, Grade B 173-179, Grade A 180-190 showing C1 ability), 142-159 gives a B1 certificate, and below 142 receives no certificate.
Exam / Certification Fees
Set by each authorised exam centre and varies by country, typically around 200-220 EUR (roughly 170-190 GBP) for the 2026 exam.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Reading and Use of English
Seven parts: multiple-choice cloze, open cloze, word formation, key word transformations, multiple-choice reading, gapped text and multiple matching, on school-relevant texts.
Listening
Four parts: three-option multiple choice, sentence completion, multiple matching and a longer multiple-choice interview, testing gist, detail and attitude.
Writing
Two tasks of 140-190 words: a compulsory opinion essay and one of an article, email/letter, review or story.
Speaking
Four parts with a partner: interview, long turn, collaborative task and discussion, assessing fluency, accuracy, range and interaction.
Preparing for the B2 First for Schools Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Cambridge English Scale 142-190; 160 or above passes at B2 (Grade C 160-172, Grade B 173-179, Grade A 180-190 showing C1 ability), 142-159 gives a B1 certificate, and below 142 receives no certificate.
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: About 3 hours 30 minutes across four papers: Reading and Use of English 1 hour 15 minutes, Writing 1 hour 20 minutes, Listening about 40 minutes, and Speaking about 14 minutes per pair.
- Exam / certification fees: Set by each authorised exam centre and varies by country, typically around 200-220 EUR (roughly 170-190 GBP) for the 2026 exam. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
B2 First for Schools: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cambridge B2 First for Schools?
B2 First for Schools (FCE for Schools) is an upper-intermediate English qualification at CEFR level B2 from Cambridge. It has the same format and level as B2 First but uses topics and tasks designed for school-age learners.
What is the difference between B2 First and B2 First for Schools?
Both are at CEFR level B2 and follow the same format and scoring. B2 First for Schools is tailored to the interests and experience of teenage learners, while B2 First is aimed at adults. The certificate carries the same value.
How is B2 First for Schools scored?
Results use the Cambridge English Scale from 142 to 190. A score of 160 or above is a pass at B2: Grade C is 160-172, Grade B 173-179 and Grade A 180-190. Scores of 142-159 receive a B1 certificate.
How many parts are in the Reading and Use of English paper?
It has seven parts and 52 questions in 1 hour 15 minutes: multiple-choice cloze, open cloze, word formation, key word transformations, multiple-choice reading, gapped text and multiple matching, worth 40% of the total.
What does the Listening paper involve?
The Listening paper lasts about 40 minutes and has four parts with 30 questions: three-option multiple choice, sentence completion, multiple matching and a longer multiple-choice interview. Each recording is played twice.
Does the B2 First for Schools certificate expire?
No. Like other Cambridge English Qualifications, the B2 First certificate has lifetime validity, so once you pass you hold the qualification permanently and can use it on university and job applications.