First: are you at the level?
Cambridge reckons on about 500 to 600 hours of guided learning from beginner to level B2, and 700 to 800 to C1. If you are one level below the exam, you need about 200 hours of study, not just exam preparation.
Get to know the exam
Both exams have four papers. B2 First takes about 3.5 hours and C1 Advanced about 4 hours.
| Paper | B2 First | C1 Advanced |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English | 1 hour 15 minutes, 7 parts, 52 questions | 1 hour 30 minutes, 8 parts, 56 questions |
| Writing | 1 hour 20 minutes, 2 pieces of writing | 1 hour 30 minutes, 2 pieces of writing |
| Listening | about 40 minutes, 30 questions | about 40 minutes, 30 questions |
| Speaking | 14 minutes, in pairs | 15 minutes, in pairs |
Cambridge publishes free sample tests for both exams: B2 First, C1 Advanced.
Reading and Use of English
- Read regularly the kinds of text you meet in the exam: newspaper articles, reviews, extracts from specialist and literary texts.
- The Use of English tasks test collocations, prepositions and word formation. Keep a list of the expressions you get wrong.
- Practise against the clock. Time is often a problem in this paper.
Writing
- Learn the types of text that are asked for: the essay is compulsory, and for the second piece you choose one of the tasks offered, for example a letter, a report or a review.
- Write within the time allowed and to the number of words given in the task.
- Give your text to someone to read. Without feedback, writing improves slowly, and this is where a teacher helps most.
Listening
- Listen to different accents: podcasts, the news, lectures.
- In the exam you hear the recording twice. Learn to listen for the whole the first time and to check the second time.
Speaking
- You take the Speaking test in a pair with another candidate, in front of two examiners. Practise with a partner, not alone.
- The way you hold a conversation is assessed too: whether you listen to your partner, build on what they say and ask questions.
- Time yourself when you practise the picture description and discussion tasks, so that you get used to the time limits of the exam.
On your own or with a teacher
Reading and listening can be practised well on your own. For writing and speaking you need someone who knows the assessment criteria.
- In your town: preparation centres.
- In Zagreb: our 30-hour course, which focuses on the exam.
Published: 12 October 2026