FCE Listening Test 1
Part 2: “A neighbourhood seed swap” with Nisha.
Parts 3–4: walking groups, theatre sound effects
Take FCE Listening Test 1
FCE · Listening
FCE Listening practice tests with audio and answers
FCE Listening is the B2 First Listening paper: about 40 minutes, 30 questions in four parts, and you hear every recording twice. It tests whether you can follow gist, detail, opinion and attitude in short conversations, a talk, five monologues and an interview, and it counts for 20% of your result.
- Free, no sign-up to start
- Layout modelled on the computer-based exam
- Estimated Cambridge English Scale score
Time≈ 40 min
Parts4
Questions30
Of your score20%
Paper format
FCE Listening, part by part
Each row links to a guide with the format, a worked example, strategy and common mistakes.
| Part | Task | Questions | What it tests | Reading time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Multiple choice, short extracts | 1–8 | Gist, detail, feeling, opinion or purpose in eight unrelated short extracts. | Time to read each question |
| 2 | Sentence completion | 9–18 | Specific information and stated opinion in a talk of 3–4 minutes; you write a word or short phrase. | 45 seconds |
| 3 | Multiple matching | 19–23 | Gist, attitude and opinion: match five speakers to five of eight options. | 30 seconds |
| 4 | Multiple choice, interview | 24–30 | Opinion, attitude and detail in an interview of 3–4 minutes; the questions follow the recording. | 1 minute |
Marking
How FCE Listening is marked
1 mark per question. In Part 2, minor spelling slips are accepted if the word is recognisable. 18/30 is about 160 and 27/30 about 180 on Cambridge’s guidance. Scores are estimates.
Our marking also ignores a leading “a”, “an” or “the” in Part 2. Wrong answers lose no marks, so answer every question. Listening is one of the five skill scores, worth 20% of your overall result.
Tips
Six FCE Listening tips
- Use the reading time. You get 45 seconds before Part 2, 30 seconds before Part 3 and 1 minute before Part 4: underline the key words in each question.
- Answer on the first listening, check on the second. Every recording is played twice, so change an answer only if the second hearing proves it wrong.
- In Part 2, write the words you hear. Answers are never more than three words and do not need changing; minor spelling slips are accepted if the word is recognisable.
- In Part 3, expect the options to be paraphrased. Speakers rarely use the words of the option; three of the eight options are not needed.
- In Part 4, follow the order. The seven questions follow the interview, so if you miss one, move on to the next.
- On the computer-based exam Part 3 uses drag and drop (since November 2025) and you get 2 minutes at the end to check, instead of transfer time.
Listening tests
All 6 FCE Listening tests
Each test is the Listening paper of the matching FCE mock test, and its page shows what is inside before you start.
FCE Listening Test 2
Part 2: “Helping visitors find their way” with Elena.
Parts 3–4: living away from home, board-game design
Take FCE Listening Test 2FCE Listening Test 3
Part 2: “Better light for learning” with Martin.
Parts 3–4: personal projects, night walks
Take FCE Listening Test 3FCE Listening Test 4
Part 2: “The market recycling station” with Beth.
Parts 3–4: shared workspaces, touchable museum displays
Take FCE Listening Test 4FCE Listening Test 5
Part 2: “Getting the costumes ready” with Rosa.
Parts 3–4: collections, playground testing
Take FCE Listening Test 5FCE Listening Test 6
Part 2: “Bicycle parking at the festival” with Adam.
Parts 3–4: changing routines, stargazing
Take FCE Listening Test 6
FAQ
FCE Listening questions
How long is the FCE Listening test?
About 40 minutes, including 2 minutes to check your answers on the computer-based exam or 5 minutes to transfer them on paper.
Does spelling count in FCE Listening?
Only a little. In Part 2 (sentence completion) minor spelling slips are not penalised if the word is recognisable, and answers are never more than three words. The other parts are multiple choice or matching.
How many times do you hear each recording in FCE Listening?
Twice. In Part 1 each short extract is repeated straight away; Parts 2–4 are played in full twice.
What FCE Listening score do I need?
There is no pass mark for a single paper: your overall score is the average of five skills. As a guide, Cambridge puts 18/30 at about 160 and 27/30 at about 180 on its practice tests.
Sources
- B2 First Handbook for Teachers (Cambridge University Press & Assessment)
- Converting practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores (Cambridge University Press & Assessment)
CambridgeMock is independent and not affiliated with Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Facts on this page are checked against the official documents above; the practice items and advice are our own.
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Start with FCE Listening Test 1
6 free FCE Listening tests. No sign-up to start: you give an email address when you submit.