HOW TO CALCULATE THE SCORE FOR 

B2 FIRST (FCE)
The B2 First (FCE) has 5 components and each one has a particular number of parts and items. Read the following
information carefully, because while the test is done in 4 parts, it has 5 components because the Reading and the Use
of English are assessed separately:

 Reading: 30 items = 42 points

 Part 1: 8 items (1 item = 1 point)
 Part 5: 6 items (1 item = 2 points)
 Part 6: 6 items (1 item = 2 points)
 Part 7: 10 items (1 item = 1 point)
 Minimum score to pass:  24 points
 Use of English: 22 items = 28 points
 Part 2: 8 items (1 item = 1 point)
 Part 3: 8 items (1 item = 1 point)
 Part 4: 6 items (1 item = up to 2 points)
 Minimum score to pass:  18 points
 Writing: 2 items = 40 points
 Part 1: 1 item = 20 points
 Part 2: 1 item = 20 points
 Minimum score to pass: 24 points
 Listening: 30 items = 30 points (1 ítem = 1 point)
 Part 1: 8 items
 Part 2: 10 items
 Part 3: 5 items
 Part 4: 7 items
 Minimum score to pass: 18 points
 Speaking: 60 points in total (not divided into items or parts). In this case, the score is assigned to different
competences:
 Grammar & vocabulary: 5 points (up to 5 points, but multiplied by 2)
 Discourse: 5 points (up to 5 points, but multiplied by 2)
 Pronunciation: 5 points (up to 5 points, but multiplied by 2)
 Interaction: 5 points (up to 5 points, but multiplied by 2)
 Global: 20 points (up to 5 points, but multiplied by 4)
 Minimum score to pass: 36 points

Okay, so now the process to calculate your score is easy peasy. Pay attention, because I’m going to tell you
exactly how to calculate your B2 First score, but be careful not to make a mistake, because it’s pretty easy to mess
up. Follow these steps:

1. Add up the points for each part separately. For example: R = 28 points; UoE = 15 points; W = ; L = 19
points; S = 22 points.
2. Work out the percentage for each part. In order to do so, divide the points of each part by the number of
items, and then multiply by 100. Like this:
 Formula: (score/no. items) x 100
 R = 35/42×100 = 83%
UoE = 20/28×100 = 71%
W = 18/40×100 = 45%
L = 27/30×100 = 90%
S = 36/60×100 = 60%
3. Calculate the average percentage:
 Formula: Average % = (R + UoE + W + L + S)/5
 My average percentage = (83 + 71 + 45 + 90 + 60)/5
 My average percentage = 70%

Now, if you want to know if you have a low or high score, here’s the different ranges you can get depending on your
score:

 Nivel B1 (failed): 140 – 159

 Grade C: 160 – 172
 Grade B: 173 – 179
 Grade A (Level C1): 180 – 190