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Typical B2 exam tasks and scoring criteria explained visualisation

Typical B2 exam tasks and scoring criteria explained

Fluent in Ukrainian: A Complete Guide to Certification Exam Readiness: Typical B2 exam tasks and scoring criteria explained
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The typical B2 exam, such as the Cambridge B2 First exam, assesses four main language skills: reading and use of English, writing, listening, and speaking. Each skill is tested through various tasks designed to measure different aspects of language proficiency.

Typical B2 Exam Tasks

  • Reading and Use of English (75 minutes)

    • Multiple-choice cloze: Choose the correct word to complete sentences.
    • Open cloze: Fill in gaps with appropriate words.
    • Word formation: Change the form of a given word to fit the sentence.
    • Key word transformations: Rewrite sentences using keywords without changing meaning.
    • Reading comprehension tasks (multiple choice, gapped text, multiple matching).

  • Writing (80 minutes)

    • Part 1: Write a compulsory essay expressing personal opinions (140-190 words).
    • Part 2: Choose from tasks like writing an article, email/letter, report, or review, based on given prompts.

  • Listening (about 40 minutes)

    • Multiple choice questions on short monologues or conversations.
    • Sentence completion based on a monologue.
    • Multiple matching tasks.
    • Multiple choice questions based on interviews or discussions.

  • Speaking (about 12-15 minutes)

    • Interview: Answer questions posed by the examiner.
    • Long turn: Speak about two photographs on your own.
    • Collaborative task: Interact with another candidate to complete a task.
    • Discussion: Discuss topics with the other candidate based on the collaborative task.

Scoring Criteria

  • Each of the four skills and the use of English component is given equal weight in scoring.
  • Candidates receive scores for each paper and an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale ranging from 140 to 190.
  • Achieving a score of 160 or above corresponds to a B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
  • Grades:
    • 180-190: Grade A (C1 level)
    • 173-179: Grade B (B2 level)
    • 160-172: Grade C (B2 level)
    • Below 160 indicates a B1 level or below. 1, 5, 6

This structure ensures a balanced and thorough assessment of a candidate’s language capabilities across all essential areas.

References

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