Euroexam Genereal English and Business English Level B2
Suitable for those at a higher intermediate level who want to prove their level and/or undertake a degree course at university. Success in the exam shows that the learner can communicate and understand most messages in the target language and can interact in the language.
At this level, Euroexam measures candidates' ability to:
- understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics,
- interact with native speakers without strain for either party.
- produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
All Euroexams consist of four tests focused on one of the main language skills. First, check the Overview of Tasks, Time Limits and Marks section, then read more about each task in each paper in the 4 tabs below. The tasks are virtually identical in the General English and Business English exams, while in each task of the latter, everything is based on business and professional contexts. The minor task differences are clearly highlighted in the description of the individual tasks below.
Click here for Euroexam's Level B2 Marking Criteria for the Writing and Speaking tests.
The Reading test consists of 3 tasks and takes a total of 50 minutes.
Task 1 – Paragraph Headings
The task tests the candidate’s ability to understand the overall meaning of a paragraph.
Candidates receive a text which can be a narrative, a description or some correspondence consisting of seven paragraphs (one is used as an example), and nine paragraph titles or headlines. The task is to match each heading to the appropriate paragraph (while two headings will not be needed).
Task 2 – Scan Reading
The task tests the candidate's ability to find specific information within a text.
Candidates receive four texts on a single topic and eight statements (one is an example). Each statement contains some specific information from one of the four texts. The task is to decide which text each statement is true for.
Task 3 – Multiple-Choice Reading
The task tests detailed comprehension, overall understanding and interpretation of purpose of text.
This task uses a single text, normally an online article or a blog post, followed by seven multiple-choice comprehension questions or unfinished statements with 4 answer options (A-D).
The Writing test consists of 2 tasks, and takes a total of 70 minutes.
Task 1 – Transactional Writing
The task tests writing abilities in the genre of a purposeful, formal email.
Candidates receive some background information about a situation which requires them to write a formal email in order to achieve a specific purpose: to complain, enquire or apply. The key information is provided in bullet points in the My notes section. Candidates are asked to focus on these points when writing their response in a formal email of approximately 150 words.
EuroPro B2:
Candidates will write an email in a professional or business context and are required to show their awareness of the specific setting and a knowledge of general Business English lexis.
Task 2 – Discursive Writing
The task tests the candidate's ability to present in writing a number of logically connected arguments, opinions in the style appropriate to the chosen genre.
Candidates are given a choice of three topics and write approximately 150 words within the genre given for each topic. The text type could be an essay, a review or an online comment.
EuroPro B2
At the Level B2 business and professional exam, the genre report appears as one of the 4 options (instead of the review).
The Listening test consists of 3 tasks, and takes a total of approximately 35 minutes.
Task 1 – Short Conversations
The task tests the candidate's ability to understand the overall idea.
Candidates hear six short conversations twice. Each one is ralated to the same overall theme (e.g. shopping, entertainment, household etc.). The task is to decide what each dialogue is about. So, candidates have to select six correct answers out of eight options, which best describes the theme of a conversation.
Task 2 – Making Notes
The task tests the candidate's ability to pick out important specific information in a longer text.
Candidates hear an extended monologue, a description, a story or an explanation of a process. The task consists of notes presenting some ideas from the monologue written down on the Question Paper. The sentences contain altogether nine gaps, where specific pieces of information are missing. Candidates have to fill each gap with maximum 3 words which should contain the missing information.
Task 3 – Radio Programme
This task tests understanding the main points, listening selectively for details and identifying features of attitudes from the conversation.
This longer conversation is taken from a talk-show like radio programme, where there is a host and one or two guests (at EuroPro exams, the context is a professional meeting). The task consists of ten multiple-choice questions or unfinished statements, each including three options (A-C).
EuroPro B2: Meeting
The context is an extract from a business or professional meeting of about 2-3 minutes in length with 2 or 3 participants. The candidate answers eight multiple-choice questions (with A-C options) while listening to the recording twice.
You may choose a partner for the paired speaking exam, but if you prefer, you can take the individual exam instead. (Note: Individual exams are available only in traditional, paper-based formats.)
In the paired exam, the first three parts are individual conversations with the examiner, followed by a joint discussion. Preparation time includes 10 minutes for note-taking, especially for the Picture Story task.
In the individual exam, all three parts involve direct interaction with the examiner, with evaluation focused solely on your performance. Preparation time is also provided before the exam.
Tasks and Expected Skills
1. Interview
Individual and Paired
The interview begins with two warm-up questions about personal experiences (not assessed). This is followed by two assessed questions on everyday topics (e.g., travel, habits, hobbies). The first focuses on personal experiences, while the second is more abstract. In paired exams, questions are alternated between candidates.
2. Picture Story
Individual and Paired
You will receive a 10-image sequence and have 10 minutes to prepare a short, coherent past-tense story lasting 2 minutes. Fluency, accuracy, and range are key. In paired exams, candidates tell their stories consecutively.
EuroPro Exam: You will give a presentation based on a business-related task sheet (e.g., a chart) after 10 minutes of preparation.
Individual Exam
3. For and Against
In the final task, you have 2 minutes to present arguments for and against a given topic. No preparation time is provided—you must start immediately after reading the topic card. This task is not a formal presentation but a structured "thinking aloud" exercise.
Paired Exam
3. Situations
Role-play in three scenarios, each with a role card specifying who you are, where you are, and what you want to accomplish. You initiate the dialogue and respond to the examiner’s reaction twice for each scenario.
4. Discussion
A 3-minute spontaneous discussion on a topic with your partner. The goal is to reach an agreement on the most important points by presenting arguments and reacting to each other’s opinions.
- Can understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar.
- Can understand most TV news and current affairs programmes.
- Can understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
- Can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints.
- Can understand contemporary literary prose.
- Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible.
- Can take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining my views.
- Can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to his/her field of interest.
- Can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
- Can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to his/her interests.
- Can write an essay or report, passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view.
- Can write letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences.