Cambridge B2 First (FCE) · Writing
Free B2 Writing practice tests
Cambridge B2 First writing tasks — essays, articles, emails, reports and reviews with AI feedback. No account required.
Paper guide
B2 Writing: format, scoring & how to train
Everything you need to write winning essays, articles, letters, reports, and reviews for Cambridge B2 First.
Parts
2
P1–P2
Marks
40
Writing (Parts 1 & 2)
Timing
80 min
focused practice
Pass
160+
Cambridge Scale
Cambridge B2 First Writing requires two 140–190 word texts in 1 hour 20 minutes (80 minutes). Part 1 is a compulsory essay requiring discussion of three points (two provided plus one of your own). Part 2 lets you choose one task from an article, letter/email, report, or review. Examiners assess your writing across Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation, and Language (40 marks total). Our interactive Writing Lab gives you instant, criterion-based feedback on every draft.
Format & timing
You have 80 minutes total. Allocate roughly 40 minutes per task, including planning and proofreading.
Part 1·Compulsory Essay (3 points)
140–190 words·20 marks·~40 min
Part 2·Choice: Article / Email / Report / Review
140–190 words·20 marks·~40 min
Total·Writing (Parts 1 & 2)
2 tasks·40 marks·80 min
Spend 5 minutes planning and 5 minutes proofreading each task. The middle 30 minutes should be focused writing.
How it is marked
Each task receives up to 20 marks across four criteria (5 marks each): Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation, and Language. The raw 40 marks are converted to the Cambridge English Scale, where 160 is a Grade C pass.
How to train B2 Writing
Structure, plan, and refine. Consistent paragraph organisation earns marks faster than fancy words.
- 101
Choose your task type
Browse prompts for Essays, Articles, Letters, Reports, or Reviews, and pick one that suits your revision focus.
Browse prompts - 202
Plan paragraphs before typing
Map out your 4-paragraph structure: Introduction, Point 1 & 2, Point 3 (own idea), and Conclusion.
- 303
Write with targeted B2 linkers
Incorporate transition phrases (Furthermore, In contrast, Consequently, It is widely believed that) to boost your Organisation mark.
- 404
Submit for instant AI feedback
Receive an immediate breakdown of your grammar, vocabulary range, and task fulfillment.
Try Writing Lab - 505
Rewrite with improvements
Apply the suggested corrections and vocabulary enhancements to internalise better writing habits.
Writing guides
Frequent mistakes in B2 Writing
Avoid these common mistakes that prevent candidates from achieving higher score bands.
Part 1
Forgetting the candidate’s own 3rd point
The prompt requires you to discuss the two given bullet points AND introduce your own third idea. Omitting your own idea caps your Content mark.
Part 2
Inappropriate register
Writing a report or formal letter with informal slang, or writing a lively article with overly dry academic jargon.
Both parts
Weak paragraphing
Submitting a single unbroken block of text. Always use clear paragraphs with topic sentences and visible indentations or line breaks.
Both parts
Overuse of simple sentences
B2 requires complex structures: relative clauses, passives, conditionals, and concession linkers (although, despite).
Study guides
B2 Writing guides
Structure templates, opening formulas, and sample walkthroughs by task type.
B2 Guides
Writing guides & Cambridge preparation
Expert frameworks for Cambridge assessment criteria and exam preparation.
FAQ
B2 Writing
FAQ.
Clear answers about format, scoring, timing, and how to practise on this hub.
What tasks are in Cambridge B2 First Writing?
Cambridge B2 First (FCE) Writing has two parts. Part 1 is always a compulsory essay (140–190 words). In Part 2, you choose one task from three options: an article, an email or letter (formal or informal), a report, or a review (140–190 words). Total time is 1 hour 20 minutes.
What is the required word count for B2 Writing tasks?
Both Part 1 and Part 2 have a target of 140–190 words. While Cambridge does not deduct marks automatically for minor deviations, writing under 140 words usually means content points are underdeveloped, and writing over 190 words risks introducing irrelevant information and errors.
How is B2 Writing assessed and marked?
Each task is evaluated across four Cambridge criteria: Content (did you answer all prompts?), Communicative Achievement (appropriate register and format), Organisation (clear paragraphs and linkers), and Language (vocabulary range and grammatical accuracy). Each is scored 0–5 (20 marks per task → 40 marks total).
What is required in the Part 1 compulsory essay?
You are given an essay title, two points to discuss, and you MUST provide a third idea of your own. You must evaluate the ideas and give a clear opinion backed by reasoning.
What score is needed to pass B2 Writing?
A passing score corresponds to 160 on the Cambridge English Scale (Grade C). Higher marks (173–179 for Grade B, 180+ for Grade A) reflect superior performance.
How does AI feedback work in this Writing Lab?
Our Writing Lab evaluates your text in real time against the official Cambridge B2 assessment criteria, offering specific suggestions for linking words, register consistency, and vocabulary enrichment.
Are these B2 Writing practice prompts free?
Yes. All practice prompts and AI evaluations on this hub are completely free to use without requiring an account.