B2 Verification
B2 Test for Students Applying for Masters Courses
In order to verify B2 level for enrollment and/or participation in Magistrale courses, the English Language instructors have organized a verification procedure which aims to assess if students have reached a CEF level B2 in English.
Refer to the websites of each instructor for specific information.
LEVEL
For details of what CEF level B2 involves see: http://clients.squareeye.net/uploads/eaquals2011/documents/EAQUALS_British_Council_Core_Curriculum_April2011.pdf
Suggested grammar, theory & practice:
Hird J. Grammar and Vocabulary for the Real World with Key (Oxford University Press)
In addition to the lexis as outlined by the parameters of CEF B2, students are expected to know terminology common to all engineering fields and to understand the main linguistic features of Engineering genres and technical materials. Good sources include:
- Ibbotson M. Professional English in Use: Engineering (Cambridge University Press)
- McCarthy N. Engineering: A Beginner’s Guide (Oneworld)
- http://www.theengineer.co.uk/
FORMAT
The test is written. It is based on the type of exam questions found in the Cambridge B2 First and/or on the type of questions found in the IELTS Academic exam. See practice links below:
- https://www.ielts.org/usa/ielts-practice-test
- https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/ielts/preparation/
- https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/first/preparation/
- https://www.ihbristol.com/free-english-exercises/esol
There may also be questions of the following nature:
- Text Organization
- Reference
- Word order within sentences
- Short Reading Comprehension with multiple choice answers
There will also be a short listening section.
TESTING
The English Language Instructors offer preparation courses, the schedules are published on individual instructors’ pages. At the end of the course you can take a test relative to the course you have followed to verify B2 level.
There will be faculty-wide tests held regularly for all students needing to verify B2 level for purposes of enrolling in Magistrale courses. The list of students passing these tests will be communicated to the departments directly; no certificates are issued.
Anticipated dates for the B2 English Tests:
- 13/06/2025 Thomas Rankin Sign up here
- 19/09/2025 Elizabeth Lee
- 21/11/2025 TR
- 05/12/2025 EL
An example of typical test can be found here.
PREPARATION COURSES
The English Language Instructors offer preparation courses, the schedules are published on individual instructors’ pages. At the end of the course you can take a test relative to the course you have followed to verify B2 level.
RECOGNITION OF CERTIFICATES
The certifications recognized by the Faculty, corresponding to a Level B2 of the CEFR, are as follows:
- Cambridge FCE (or above)
- IELTS level 6 (or above)
- TOEFL internet based 72 (or above)paper based 513 (or above),or computer based 183 (or above)
- Trinity ISE2 (or above)
NB: "Trinity Grades Exams in Spoken English" (GESE) certificates are not valid.