B2 First (FCE) Score Calculator

The minimum score to pass B2 First is 160 in the Cambridge English Scale. The minimum number of correct items/marks to pass each part is:

• Reading: 24 correct items
• Use of English: 18 correct items
• Writing: 24 marks
• Listening: 18 correct items
• Speaking: 36 marks

This is a change that Cambridge introduced in 2015 when they updated some of their main suite exams. In that update, Reading and Use of English were merged into one single part (done within the same timing, but counted separately), and the score in Use of English Part 1 (multiple choice) started counting towards Reading instead of Use of English. The specific reason behind this is unclear to me.

There are 6 different grades you can obtain after your exam. Here is a table with the grades and other outcomes of your B2 First exam:

And in case you're wondering what is a pass or a fail and which grade qualifies for a certificate or certificate of achievement, here's a table to clarify:

No, you don't. Even if you fail some parts in the B2 First, you can still pass your test because the average score may be above 160 in the Cambridge English Scale. However, there is a minimum number of correct items/marks that you need to obtain in each part in order to be able to pass:

• Reading: 16 correct items
• Use of English: 11 correct items
• Writing: 16 marks
• Listening: 12 correct items
• Speaking: 24 marks

This means that, if you get less that that in one of the parts, you will not be able to pass your FCE exam.

If you fail your B2 First test with marks above the minimum mentioned in the previous frequently asked question, you will get a certificate of achievement proving that you performed at a B1 level. However, this certificate is not a B1 Preliminary (PET) certificate and does not say so anywhere. This is so because you did not take the B1 Preliminary exam, so you cannot get that certificate.

It is a valid B1-level certificate of achievement issued by Cambridge Assessment English. However, as mentioned before, it is not a B1 Preliminary certificate. Therefore, if you are required a B1 Preliminary certificate specifically, this certificate of achievement will probably not be valid for that purpose.

No, you don't. If you manage to obtain a Grade A in your B2 First exam, you will get a B2 First certificate stating that you performed at a C1 level. Therefore, if you are required a C1 Advanced certificate by a given organisation, this certificate will most likely not be accepted.

You need around 60% of correct items/marks to pass the Cambridge FCE. However, this percentage may be different for some papers (Reading, Writing, etc.). That's the reason I do not recommend working with percentages any more, as Cambridge Assessment English does not take percentages into account for B2 First since they updated the exam and introduced the Cambridge English Scale in 2015.