Cambridge B2 First

• Students must have an Upper Intermediate level (B2) before the course starts
• Students' level will be checked before an exam place is confirmed
• Available at Lancing
• Dedicated Exam Preparation instead of English Skills and Enrichment lessons
• Exam taken on Thurs 24 July 2025 at a London Cambridge exam centre
• 2 Week Preparation & Exam Fee: £525
• Fee includes exam enrolment fee, preparation and certificate

Cambridge B2 First Exam Leaflet

Cambridge English Scales Explained

Course Summary

Bede's two-week Cambridge B2 First exam preparation course for students aged 13-17 focuses on improving language skills and building confidence in each of the four exam sections: Reading & Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. The course will also introduce key strategies for managing the test format, handling time pressure, and achieving a higher score on the exam. 

Week 1: Foundational Skills and Exam Familiarisation

1. Familiarisation with the Cambridge B2 First Exam Format

• Introduce the structure of the B2 First exam: Reading and Use of English (1 hour 15 minutes), Writing (1 hour 20 minutes), Listening (approximately 40 minutes), and Speaking (14 minutes per pair of candidates).
• Explain the scoring system and how the exam is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) at the B2 level.
• Break down the four parts of the exam:
  • Reading and Use of English (multiple-choice, gap-fill, word formation, and error correction).
  • Writing (two tasks: an essay and an email/letter/other short text).
  • Listening (multiple-choice and gap-fill based on recordings).
  • Speaking (individual responses and interaction with a partner).
• Discuss strategies for each section and provide a test-taking timeline.

2. Developing Reading Skills

• Focus on improving reading comprehension skills through practice with different text types: articles, notices, brochures, and narratives.
• Practise skimming and scanning techniques for quickly identifying key information and main ideas.
• Work on understanding more complex vocabulary and phrases through context.
• Practise a variety of question types: multiple-choice, matching headings, sentence completion, and true/false questions.
• Provide tips for answering word formation questions and dealing with vocabulary gaps.

3. Strengthening Writing Skills

• Introduce the structure of the two writing tasks in the exam:
  • Task 1: Writing an email, letter, or other short texts.
  • Task 2: Writing an essay, article, or report.
• Focus on creating clear, structured responses with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
• Develop coherence and cohesion in writing by using appropriate linking words and organising ideas logically.
• Teach students to address all parts of the prompt in Task 1 (for example, responding to specific questions in an email) and to develop arguments in Task 2 essays.
• Practise grammar and vocabulary that is appropriate for the B2 level, including more complex structures and less common vocabulary.

4. Listening Skills Development

• Familiarise students with the types of listening materials in the exam (e.g., interviews, conversations, announcements, etc.).
• Focus on listening for specific information, main ideas, and details while practising with short listening extracts.
• Introduce strategies for dealing with distractors in listening tasks (information in the recording that doesn’t match the questions).
• Teach how to use context to predict answers and make educated guesses.
• Practise with listening activities: multiple-choice questions, note-taking, and sentence completion.

Week 2: Intensive Practice and Exam Strategy

1. Advanced Reading Practice

• Conduct full-length practice tests under timed conditions to simulate the real exam environment.
• Focus on reading strategies for dealing with longer and more complex texts.
• Practise multiple-choice and gap-fill questions, providing strategies for eliminating wrong answers.
• Work on improving reading speed and efficiency without sacrificing comprehension.
• Encourage students to note unfamiliar vocabulary and work on contextual guessing and word formation techniques.

2. Refined Writing Techniques

• Provide detailed feedback on students' writing from Week 1 to identify areas for improvement.
• Teach students to focus on task achievement and content relevance in both Task 1 and Task 2 writing.
• Encourage students to use a wide range of vocabulary and complex grammatical structures (such as conditionals, passive voice, and reported speech).
• Practise editing and proofreading skills: students review their own writing to improve accuracy in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Conduct writing workshops where students peer-review each other's work, focusing on improving clarity, argumentation, and coherence.

3. Intensive Listening Practice

• Conduct full listening practice tests under timed conditions to improve performance under exam pressure.
• Focus on distractors in listening tasks and teach students how to avoid common pitfalls.
• Work on techniques for understanding multiple speakers and complex dialogue, which can often be tricky in the listening section.
• Review strategies for answering gap-fill and multiple-choice questions after listening to recordings.
• Provide feedback on common listening mistakes and strategies to overcome them.

4. Speaking Test Preparation

• Familiarise students with the four parts of the speaking test:
  • Part 1: Interview – answering questions about personal topics like hobbies, daily life, and travel.
  • Part 2: Long turn – speaking for 1 minute on a given topic (e.g., describing a photo or discussing a situation).
  • Part 3: Collaborative task – discussing an abstract topic and exchanging ideas with a partner.
  • Part 4: Discussion – exchanging opinions and ideas with another candidate on abstract topics (e.g., technology, environmental issues).
• Conduct mock speaking tests to build students' confidence and fluency.
• Focus on pronunciation, intonation, and clarity of speech in all speaking tasks.
• Practise interactive speaking in Part 3, where students must listen to and respond to a partner’s ideas.
• Provide feedback on fluency, grammar accuracy, and vocabulary range.

5. Full Practice Test & Final Exam Strategies

• Simulate a complete B2 First exam under realistic test conditions (all sections: Reading & Use of English, Writing, Listening, Speaking).
• Provide individual feedback on the results of the practice test, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
• Discuss test strategies: time management, staying calm under pressure, and making quick decisions when answering questions.
• Review common exam day tips (e.g., reading instructions carefully, focusing on answering all parts of a question, handling nerves).
• Encourage students to take practice tests at home to continue their preparation.

6. Test-Taking Strategies & Stress Management

• Teach strategies for staying calm and focused during the exam, such as deep breathing, positive visualisation, and staying organised.
• Discuss the importance of time management in each section, especially Reading and Writing.
• Provide tips on how to handle difficult questions and keep moving forward without getting stuck.
• Offer advice on how to approach the exam day with confidence and be well-prepared for any surprises.

Overall Course Goals

• Improvement of all five skills (Reading, Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) at the B2 level.
• Familiarity with the exam format and question types, as well as understanding how to tackle each section effectively.
• Increased confidence in speaking, writing, listening, and reading under exam conditions.
• Advanced test-taking strategies for time management, reducing stress, and maximising performance.
• Refinement of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation for a more sophisticated use of language at the B2 level.
• Personalised feedback to help students focus on their individual areas for improvement.
• Effective stress management and strategies for approaching the test day.

By the end of the course, students will be well-prepared to sit the Cambridge B2 First exam, with the confidence to perform successfully across all sections and the ability to demonstrate their proficiency at the B2 level.