English B2 First Exam Kit

IELTS 5.5–6.5

IELTS 5.5–6.5 explained: the papers and timing, how it is marked, fees and session dates, who needs it, and the vocabulary and phrases to learn for it.

Tell me when it is ready Official page and exam centres ↗

Who needs this certificate

Graduation at many Spanish universities, which ask for B1 or B2 in a foreign language.
Teaching posts and public-sector exams (oposiciones) in Spain.
Exemption from the language course at many Polish universities.
Work and study abroad where B2 is the usual bar.

How the exam works

1 Register at a centreBook online through ielts.org, choosing the test type (Academic or General Training), computer or paper, a centre and a date.
2 PrepareLearn the words and phrases of the level, then practise the tasks with model tests. With the kit, enter your exam date and the plan gives you a daily number of new cards.
3 Exam dayListening, Reading and Writing are taken together; Speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, on the same day or within about a week. Bring the ID you booked with.
Results and certificateOnline and on a Test Report Form: usually a few days after a computer-delivered test, about two weeks after a paper-based one. You get a band from 0 to 9 for each skill and overall.

Which part of the kit helps with which paper

Each paper, the kit sections that prepare you for it, and why.

Skill	Kit sections	Why it helps
Reading	Vocabulary (10 topic decks) Connectors and linking	Reading texts are written around the exam topics: the topic words and the connectors let you follow the argument and find the answers faster.
Listening	Vocabulary (10 topic decks) Speaking: photos, discussion, opinions	Recordings use the same topic words and everyday spoken phrases; knowing them by ear, with the audio, is what makes listening easier.
Writing	Writing: essay, article, email, report, review Connectors and linking Collocations (Use of English Parts 1–2) Word formation (Use of English Part 3) Key word transformations and grammar	The writing tasks reward ready phrases for each text type, linking words, natural word combinations and accurate grammar.
Speaking	Speaking: photos, discussion, opinions Connectors and linking Collocations (Use of English Parts 1–2) Word formation (Use of English Part 3)	Speaking goes more smoothly with phrases for giving opinions, agreeing, disagreeing and planning, and with linking words to structure what you say.
All papers	Exam day	Instructions, paper names and the words around registration and the exam itself, so nothing on the day is new.

Fees

Set by the exam provider or centre; see the official page.

Dates and registration

Several sessions a year; see the official page for dates and deadlines.

Where to register

ielts.org → Book a test
Official information ↗

Facts last checked on 2026-09-30. Rules and fees change: confirm with the official page before you register.

Questions about IELTS 5.5–6.5

Which level do I need for IELTS 5.5–6.5, and what is it for?

IELTS gives a band from 0 to 9. Bands 5.5 to 6.5 roughly match B2; universities and visa rules set their own minimum, overall and per skill.

How long does it take to prepare, and how many words do I need?

Commonly quoted estimates are about 500–600 hours of guided learning to reach B2 from scratch. If you are already one level below, expect a few months of regular study. The English B2 First Exam Kit is in preparation; leave your e-mail on this page for one message when it is ready.

Does the IELTS 5.5–6.5 certificate expire?

The Test Report Form has no fixed end date, but most universities and visa authorities accept results up to two years old.

Can I retake just one part of IELTS 5.5–6.5?

In many locations, yes: after a computer-delivered IELTS you can retake one skill (IELTS One Skill Retake) instead of the whole test. Check that your centre offers it and that the organisation you apply to accepts it.

How and when do I get my IELTS 5.5–6.5 results?

Online and on a Test Report Form: usually a few days after a computer-delivered test, about two weeks after a paper-based one. You get a band from 0 to 9 for each skill and overall.

What does the English B2 First Exam Kit cover for IELTS 5.5–6.5?

The English B2 First Exam Kit is in preparation. It will cover the vocabulary of the exam topics and the phrases for writing and speaking. Leave your e-mail on this page for one message when it is ready.

Other exams this kit prepares for

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