English Refresher

Cambridge B2 First for Schools · Free Course

Learn the exam. Then beat it.

A free, structured course that teaches you exactly what each part of the exam tests, the traps that cost B2 students marks, and the strategy that gets you past them — then lets you prove it under real exam conditions.

Built around the official Cambridge B2 First for Schools exam format.

6Modules
19Lessons
Learn · Try · ApplyEvery Lesson
FreeExaminer Feedback
How the Course Works

Learn the Pattern. Practice the Pattern. Prove It.

Most students prepare for B2 First by answering random practice questions. This course teaches the exam part by part — the format, the traps, and the exact strategy examiners expect — before you ever sit a timed test.

01 · LEARN

See the format and the traps

Every lesson opens with exactly what that exam part tests, the method examiners use to solve it, and the specific traps that catch B2 students out — with a fully worked example.

02 · TRY

Drill one trap at a time

A short set of practice items targets one trap each. Get one wrong and you will see exactly why — not just the correct answer, but the rule or collocation behind it.

03 · APPLY

Prove it under exam conditions

Finish with a full, exam-format practice set under a real time target. It self-scores the moment you finish, with an estimated grade and clear advice on what to fix next.

Four Papers. One Certificate.

B2 First for Schools is the same exam and the same certificate as the standard B2 First — just with topics and texts that are more relevant to teenage students. Here is what you are actually up against.

1

Reading & Use of English

75 minutes · 7 parts · 52 questions
40% of your grade
2

Writing

80 minutes · 2 tasks · 140–190 words each
20% of your grade
3

Listening

~40 minutes · 4 parts · 30 questions
20% of your grade
4

Speaking

14 minutes · 4 parts · with a partner
20% of your grade

This course teaches Paper 1 as two modules — Use of English and Reading — so you can focus on one skill at a time.

Your Result: The Cambridge English Scale (140–190)

B1 Certificate
Grade C
B
Grade A
140160173190
140–159 · B1 Certificate
160–172 · Grade C (pass)
173–179 · Grade B
180–190 · Grade A
Built for B2 First for Schools candidates preparing at home or in class. Every lesson is free, with no sign-up required.
Your Course Path

Six Modules. Every Part of the Exam.

Work through them in order, or jump straight to the part you need. Your progress is saved in this browser as you complete each lesson.

0%
0 of 19 lessons course complete

Your progress is saved in this browser only.

Your Study Path

An 8-Week Plan, If You Want One

The course is fully self-paced — jump straight to whatever part you need from the map above. But if you'd rather follow a schedule, here's one built around roughly 2.5 hours a week.

Week 1 Know the Exam ~45 min

Before you drill a single question, understand what you're actually being scored on.

Week 2 Use of English — Parts 1 & 2 ~2.5 hrs

The two cloze tasks that open Paper 1. Both reward the same instinct: read past the gap before you guess.

Week 3 Use of English — Parts 3 & 4 ~2.5 hrs

Word building and sentence transformations — the two parts where precision, not vocabulary size, wins marks.

Week 4 Reading ~2.5 hrs

The other half of Paper 1 — finding evidence, following an argument, and matching detail across a text.

Week 5 Writing & Feedback ~2 hrs

Write the compulsory essay, then send it in — this is the one week that ends with feedback from a real person instead of a self-scored result.

Week 6 Listening ~2.5 hrs

Four recordings, four question types, each played exactly twice — the same way it happens on exam day.

Week 7 Speaking ~2.5 hrs

All four speaking parts, with sample answers you can listen to — strong ones and weak ones, so you hear the difference.

Week 8 Full Mock & Exam-Day Prep ~3 hrs

Bring every paper together under real timing, then walk through exactly what to expect on the day itself.

Falling behind schedule doesn't cost you anything — there's no clock running except the ones inside each lesson.

The One Part a Self-Test Can't Score

Real Examiner-Style Feedback on Your Writing — Free.

Writing is 20% of your grade, and it's the one skill no answer key can check. Draft your essay, paste it in, and get specific, examiner-informed feedback on what's actually holding your score back.

Completely free, no sign-up
Feedback on content, organization, and language
Takes under 5 minutes to submit
Submit Your Essay →

Opens the Writing practice page in this course, where the submission form lives.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this course really free?
Yes — every lesson, every practice set, and the writing feedback funnel are free, with no sign-up, subscription, or hidden paywall. Some separate paid resources exist elsewhere on the site (like exam-format workbook packs), but nothing in this course requires them.
How long does the whole course take?
Budget around 2.5 hours a week for eight weeks if you follow the suggested study plan above, or move at your own pace — it's entirely self-directed. Each individual lesson (Learn, Try, and Apply together) typically takes 25–40 minutes.
What's the difference between B2 First for Schools and standard B2 First?
Nothing in terms of level, difficulty, or the certificate you receive — they're scored on the same Cambridge English Scale and recognized identically. The "for Schools" version simply uses topics, texts, and images more relevant to teenage candidates. This course works for either version.
What score counts as a pass?
160 on the Cambridge English Scale (Grade C) is a pass and earns the B2 First certificate. 173+ is a Grade B and 180+ is a Grade A, which also comes with a certificate recognizing C1-level ability. Score 140–159 and you still receive a certificate, just at B1 level.
Do I need a coursebook as well?
This course teaches you the strategy and gives you exam-format practice for every part, but it isn't a substitute for broad reading and listening exposure at B2 level. Pairing it with a coursebook or regular reading habit will help — think of this course as the strategy layer, not the only input you need.
How do I get feedback on my writing?
Write your essay in the Writing module, then use the submission form to send it in for free, examiner-informed feedback on content, organization, and language — a real check that a self-scored quiz can't give you.

This free B2 First for Schools course walks you through every part of the Cambridge B2 First exam — Use of English, Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking — teaching the strategy behind each task before you practice it in exam-accurate format, with real feedback on your writing along the way.