B2 FIRST / FIRST FOR SCHOOLS

B2 FIRST / FIRST FOR SCHOOLS

First and First for Schools are exams for people with an upper-intermediate level of English and who can use it in daily situations, both written and spoken. First is more appropriate for adults and First for Schools for school pupils. They are ideal exams for those who want to use English for reasons of study or work. The exam corresponds to Level B2 of the Common European Framework (CEFR).

At B2 level, candidates should be able to:

• Understand the main ideas in complex texts.
• Hold a conversation on a wide range of topics and express opinions and put forward arguments.
• Produce clear and detailed written texts, express opinions and explain the advantages and disadvantage of different points of view.

What are the components of FIRST and FIRST FOR SCHOOLS?

They comprise four parts:

Reading and Use of English: 1 hour 15 minutes
You will need to be able to understand the information in works of fiction and non-ficción, advertisements, articles, newspapers and magazines and this section will also test your ability to use English in tasks which show your control of grammar and vocabulary.

Writing: 1 hour 20 minutes
You will have to show that you can write two different texts (both 140-190 words): one obligatory text and another text which may be a short story, a letter/email, an article, a report, a review or an essay.

Listening: 40 minutes
You will have to show that you can understand the meaning of a series of listening materials which include news programmes, public announcements, presentations, everyday conversations, with a variety of accents.

Speaking: 14 minutes
You will do the speaking together with another candidate or in a group of three people and the test will assess your ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other candidates and alone.

For more information:

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/first/
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/first-for-schools/