B2 First for Schools (FCE S)
B2 First for Schools (FCE S)
B2 First for Schools (FCE S) is specifically designed to motivate school-aged learners. It shows that when students leave school, they are ready to study, work and live independently in an English-speaking environment.
Exam Information
What is B2 First for Schools (FCE S)?
B2 First for Schools (FCE S) is an examination at upper- intermediate level, set at level B2 of the Council of Europe's Common Framework of References for Languages (CEFR). B2 First (FCE) and B2 First for Schools (FCE S) follow exactly the same format and the level of the question papers is identical. Both exams lead to the same internationally recognised certificate.
The content and topics in B2 First for Schools (FCE S) have been particularly targeted at the interests and experience of school-age learners.
At B2 level typical users can be expected to:
- Express views, feelings, and opinions effectively in writing and give reasons
- Find relevant information in texts
- Identify the expressions of feelings and attitudes such as criticism, disapproval, agreement, and so on.
- Start, have and end conversations on familiar topics
Who takes Cambridge B2 First for Schools?
B2 First for Schools (FCE S) formerly known as the “First Certificate for Schools” is the most widely taken Cambridge English Exam in Switzerland. In recent years, the level of English of teenagers has risen due to the introduction of “early English” in the primary schools. Therefore, Cambridge English has introduced B2 First for Schools (FCE S), a full First Certificate exam in regard to structure and level of the exams, however, with the content targeted at school-age learners.
Why to take B2 First for Schools (FCE S)?
B2 First for Schools (FCE S) is used as school leaving exam particularly at the secondary school levels of education (e.g. Secondary Schools, KV, etc.). Therefore, B2 First for Schools (FCE S) is an asset and an advantage for students applying for an apprenticeship or a job after the apprenticeship.
Format of the exam
You can take your Cambridge exam in two ways: on a computer or on paper.
| Paper | Content | Marks (%of total) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English (1 hour 15 minutes) | 7 parts/52 questions | 40% | Students need to be able to understand a range of texts, including how they are organised and the opinions and attitudes expressed in them. The texts will be from sources familiar to school-aged learners, such as magazines, articles, fiction and advertisements, but targeted at the interests of students. Students’ use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well they can control their grammar and vocabulary. |
| Writing (1 hour 20 minutes) | 2 parts | 20% | Students are required to produce two pieces of writing. The first piece is compulsory and will be an essay of 140–190 words. For the second, they can choose from an article, email/letter, essay, review or story of 140–190 words. |
| Listening (about 40 minutes) | 4 parts/30 questions | 20% | Requires being able to follow and understand a range of familiar spoken materials, such as news programmes, public announcements and other sources, but targeted at the interests of school-aged learners. |
| Speaking (14 minutes per pair of candidates) | 4 parts | 20% | A face to face test taken with one or two other candidates and an examiner. Students have to show how well they can produce spontaneous spoken language, talking with either the examiner, the other candidate, or by themselves. |
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