How many marks do I need to pass Use of English?

Cambridge grades the whole exam, not one paper. As a rule of thumb, about 60 percent of the total marks matches a pass, but the scale is not linear. Use the estimate as a guide.

Is Use of English a separate paper?

No. In B2 First and C1 Advanced it is part of one paper, Reading and Use of English, which has a Use of English half and a reading half.

How many key word transformations are there?

Six, in both B2 First and C1 Advanced. Each one can give up to two marks.

How can I improve in Use of English?

Learn words in chunks, revise the grammar words, and do timed sets of one task at a time. Ask for feedback: a teacher spots the patterns you repeat.

Use of English practice with answers

Estimate your score

Take a full Reading and Use of English practice test. Choose your exam, type the marks you got in each part, and leave empty the parts you skipped.

Exam

Part 1: multiple choice clozeof 8
Part 2: open clozeof 8
Part 3: word formationof 8
Part 4: key word transformationof 12
Part 5: reading, multiple choiceof 12
Part 6: gapped textof 12
Part 7: multiple matchingof 10

Type your marks to see an estimate.

An estimate. Raw marks do not convert to the Cambridge scale in a straight line.

Cambridge updates its exams from time to time. The marks here follow the format of most published practice tests, so check the current one on the Cambridge English website.

How to read the result

The percentage is your marks divided by the marks available in the parts you entered.
About 60 percent of the marks is a rule of thumb for a pass. Cambridge does not publish a fixed conversion.
About 80 percent may point to the level above: C1 for First, C2 for Advanced. Treat it as a hint.
Raw marks do not convert to the Cambridge scale in a straight line, and the same score can give different results on different tests.
The weakest part is the one with the lowest share of its marks. Work on it first.
One practice test is one sample. Do two or three before you decide anything.

Marks per part

Marks in Reading and Use of English
Exam	Parts	Marks in total
B2 First	7	70
C1 Advanced	8	78

Parts 1 to 3 give one mark per question. Part 4, the key word transformation, gives up to two marks per question, one for each half of the answer. In the reading parts, matching tasks give one mark and the longer tasks give two.

Multiple choice cloze (Part 1)

Open cloze (Part 2)

You write one word in each gap. Most answers are grammar words: prepositions, auxiliaries, pronouns and linkers. B2 level.

Write one word in each gap.

1. If I
you, I would speak to the manager first.
2. She has worked here
she left university.
3.
of the two sisters has been to Japan.
4.
he was tired, he kept working until midnight.
5. The film wasn't as good
I expected.
6. We were made
wear a uniform at school.
7. Not only
she speak French, but she also speaks German.
8. It was the first time
she had flown.

0 of 8 checked

Word formation (Part 3)

Use the word in capitals to form a word that fits the gap. Decide the type of word first: noun, verb, adjective or adverb. B2 level.

Change the word in capitals so it fits the gap.

1. Her
to the team was very important.CONTRIBUTE
2. It was a very
film, so we left early.DISAPPOINT
3. He spoke
about his years abroad.ENTHUSIASM
4. The
of the company is a young woman.FOUND
5. Living in a big city can be
.STRESS
6. She gave an
answer, so nobody understood.CLEAR
7. For your own
, please wear a helmet.SAFE
8. They live in a very
neighbourhood.PEACE

0 of 8 checked

Key word transformation (Part 4), B2

Complete the second sentence so it means the same as the first. Use the key word without changing it. Write between two and five words, including the key word.

Complete the second sentence with the key word.

1. I haven't seen Maria for three years.
SINCE
It is three yearsMaria.
2. "Why don't we go to the cinema?" said Tom.
SUGGESTED
Tomto the cinema.
3. It's not necessary for you to wait for me.
NEED
Youfor me.
4. She started learning the piano ten years ago.
BEEN
Shethe piano for ten years.
5. "I didn't break the window," said Tom.
DENIED
Tomthe window.
6. They are building a new bridge in the town.
BEING
A new bridgein the town.

0 of 6 checked

Key word transformation (Part 4), C1

Same task, harder structures: inversion, passives with reporting verbs, wish and phrasal verbs. This set is at C1 level, for Advanced.

Complete the second sentence with the key word.

1. I regret not applying for that job.
WISH
Ifor that job.
2. She had barely left the house when the phone rang.
SOONER
Nothe house than the phone rang.
3. I can't stand his rudeness.
PUT
I can'this rudeness.
4. Someone cleans the windows for us every month.
HAVE
Weevery month.
5. Everyone believes that the thief escaped by car.
BELIEVED
The thiefescaped by car.
6. It doesn't matter which day you choose.
DIFFERENCE
Itwhich day you choose.

0 of 6 checked

Tips for Use of English

Read the whole sentence before you fill a gap.
In open cloze, always write something. A guess costs nothing.
In word formation, check for a negative meaning and for plurals.
In key word transformations, never change the key word, and count your words.
Spelling counts in the open parts, so check it.

Questions

How many marks do I need to pass Use of English?: Cambridge grades the whole exam, not one paper. As a rule of thumb, about 60 percent of the total marks matches a pass, but the scale is not linear. Use the estimate as a guide.
Is Use of English a separate paper?: No. In B2 First and C1 Advanced it is part of one paper, Reading and Use of English, which has a Use of English half and a reading half.
How many key word transformations are there?: Six, in both B2 First and C1 Advanced. Each one can give up to two marks.
How can I improve in Use of English?: Learn words in chunks, revise the grammar words, and do timed sets of one task at a time. Ask for feedback: a teacher spots the patterns you repeat.

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