Books to use if you are preparing on your own for the B2 First exam

So, you would like to start preparing for the B2 First on your own but don’t know where to start? Which book to buy? I got you covered.

Here are just some of the books that I use when working with my students that are also appropriate for self-study.

First of all, what I always like to recommend is to practise with original materials by Cambridge English as they will give you a feel for the real level. Not too easy, not too hard.

First Trainer

Let’s start with First Trainer. It includes six practice tests. The first two tests are expanded and include useful exercises to help you practise for the exam. You can test yourself with the last four tests and see if you are performing at the level needed to pass the exam.

There is a First Trainer 2 book. In case you love the format and would like to continue with more of the same style exercises. It is a good option, too.

Exam Booster

What I like to do is to mix and match the materials depending on the particular needs of my students and my other go-to book is Exam Booster. While in the First Trainer the study areas are divided into two tests and sometimes you need to jump between tests in order to work on the same part of Use of English, here all the important information is in one place with exam practice at the end of each chapter. I find it appropriate for self-study but it can get somewhat heavy for classes.

Grammar and vocabulary for First

Another book to use to review specific topics in either grammar or vocabulary is Grammar and Vocabulary for First and First for schools. My students have said that they find it useful and clear. So if you need more practice definitely check it out, too. I tend to use it when a student has a particular difficulty with a language area as extra practice.

First 1 – exam papers

Last but not least, when you are ready to start doing tests this collection of four exam papers – First 1 – can help you get an idea what it will be like on the real exam. I find them to be very accurate to the real deal. So definitely, do some original exam papers before signing up for your B2 First exams. I am mentioning this one in last place because you should never go directly into doing tests and only tests before you are ready. You need to have worked on each part of the exam individually and to know what is tested in each part, as well as what to expect.

If you have trouble assessing your progress, I have created a B2 First score calculator to help you out. It is very easy to use. You just have to write the number of correct answers you have had on each part and it does the calculation for you. It also tell you what grade to expect.

Good luck on your exams!

Gaby

P.S. The links to these books on Amazon are affiliate links i.e. I will get a little commission if you decide to buy them by clicking on these links. Thank you in advance!