The B1–B2 writing test: what it’s like, and what it takes to reach B2

On the B1–B2 test you write two texts in 120 minutes. You can get B2, B1 or a lower level, never higher than B2.

Two tasks

Task	What you do	Length
Task 1	Write an email in which you give and justify an opinion	At least 80 words recommended
Task 2	Argue for a point of view. You choose one of two tasks.	250–350 words recommended

You must answer both tasks to get a result. The word counts are only guidance: the examiners read the whole text, and you aren’t marked down for writing more. The test is taken on a computer.

Source: HK-dir, about the writing test (in Norwegian).

What separates B1 from B2?

The examiners use HK-dir’s assessment form. To get B2 you must be at B2 on every criterion. These are the requirements from the form, in our translation:

Criterion	B1	B2
Communication, email (task 1)	Gets across opinions on the given topic and gives some reasons for them in an understandable way.	Gets across and justifies opinions on the given topic in a clear way.
Communication, argument (task 2)	Writes fairly clearly about the given topic. Gets opinions across and justifies them. The justification may be unclear or incomplete.	Writes clearly and objectively about the given topic. Gets opinions across clearly and argues for them. The argument may be somewhat unclear in places.
Text structure	The text is mostly easy enough to follow. Uses a number of different linking words.	The text is on the whole easy to follow. Uses a range of linking words and other cohesive devices. Mostly clear structure and progression.
Spelling and punctuation	Fairly good command of spelling, but a fair number of errors.	Good command of spelling and punctuation, though there will be some errors.
Vocabulary	Fairly broad vocabulary. May choose words that cause misunderstandings.	Broad vocabulary. Varies the wording. Errors occur without causing misunderstandings.
Grammar	Some examples of complex sentences. A fair number of errors, including some that cause misunderstandings.	Variety in sentence structure, complex sentences mostly successful. Errors occur without causing misunderstandings.

Source: HK-dir’s assessment form for written production (2023), slightly shortened in the B1 column. The Norwegian original is on our Norwegian page.

Notice that B2 doesn’t mean error-free. What matters is that your errors don’t cause misunderstandings, and that the text is clear, objective and well connected.

Five things that often keep people at B1

You tell a story instead of arguing. In task 2 you have to take a position and give reasons that apply to more people than yourself. Personal examples are fine, but they must support a general point.
The text doesn’t hang together. Write a short introduction that presents the issue and says what you think, one argument per paragraph, and a conclusion.
The same linking words every time. «Og», «men» and «fordi» aren’t enough. Also use, for example, «dessuten», «likevel», «derfor», «på den ene siden … på den andre siden», «selv om».
Word order errors. Typical errors at this level are missing inversion («I dag mange har …» instead of «I dag har mange …») and putting «ikke» in the wrong place in subordinate clauses («… fordi de har ikke …» instead of «… fordi de ikke har …»).
Only simple sentences. B2 needs variety and complex sentences that work. Practise subordinate clauses with «som», «at», «hvis», «når» and «selv om».

Timing

You have 120 minutes for both tasks. A common split is about 35 minutes on the email and the rest on the argumentative text, with a few minutes at the end to read through. Practise with a clock, so you know how long you take.

Don’t memorise ready-made texts

HK-dir treats memorised text and text written by others as cheating. It can lead to cancelled results and a ban from the test. Practise writing yourself instead, get feedback, and write a new version.

Try a B1–B2 task now and see what level your text is at. See an example grading first.

Write an argumentative text