Cambridge English writing practice from B2 to C2

Essays, articles, reviews, reports and letters at B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency level, scored on the four Cambridge criteria with clear notes on what an examiner would want to see.

Start practising free Free writing guides

Your first scored task is free. No credit card.

Example feedback · Cambridge C1 Advanced4 / 5
  • Content4
  • Communicative Achievement3
  • Organisation4
  • Language4

Quickest win

The task asks for a proposal, but your tone reads like an essay. Use headings and address the reader directly to raise Communicative Achievement.

What you can practise

Each task has a free guide with the structure, paraphrasing tips, useful phrases and sample questions.

Cambridge B2 First

Write a structured essay responding to notes, at B2 level.

40 minutes 140–190 words

Scored on

  • Content
  • Communicative Achievement
  • Organisation
  • Language
Read the guide Practise

Cambridge C1 Advanced

Write an article, proposal, review, essay or letter at C1 level.

40 minutes 220–260 words

Scored on

  • Content
  • Communicative Achievement
  • Organisation
  • Language
Read the guide Practise

Cambridge C2 Proficiency

Write a sophisticated, well-argued essay at C2 level.

45 minutes 280–320 words

Scored on

  • Content
  • Communicative Achievement
  • Organisation
  • Language
Read the guide Practise

How practice works

  1. 1

    Write against the clock

    The real time limit and word range, with a live word count, so exam day feels familiar.

  2. 2

    Get a score for each criterion

    A score for every Cambridge criterion with the reason behind it, and your mistakes marked in your text.

  3. 3

    Fix the quickest win

    Nib names the one change that would raise your score most. Your scores are saved so you can see them climb.

Full mock exams · Pro Plus

  • Cambridge B2 First Writing: Full Mock · 2 tasks, 80 minutes

    Both parts of the B2 First writing paper: the compulsory essay, then a Part 2 task (email, review or article).

  • Cambridge C1 Advanced Writing: Full Mock · 2 tasks, 80 minutes

    Both parts of the C1 Advanced writing paper: the compulsory essay, then a Part 2 task (proposal, review or letter).

  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency Writing: Full Mock · 2 tasks, 90 minutes

    Both parts of the C2 Proficiency writing paper: the discursive essay, then a Part 2 task (article, report or review).

Cambridge writing questions

Which levels are covered?

B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, each with its own tasks, word counts and timing, plus a guide on how to structure every task type.

How is it scored?

Each piece is scored from 1 to 5 on Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation and Language, the four areas Cambridge examiners use. It is a practice estimate, not an official result.

Is PenLingo official Cambridge material?

No. PenLingo is an independent practice tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. The tasks follow the public format and scoring criteria of the exam.

How many tasks can I practise for free?

The writing guides and sample questions are free for everyone. With a free account you get one scored exam task. Basic Pro includes one scored task a week and Pro Plus is unlimited, including full timed mock exams.

Can I practise under exam conditions?

Yes. Every task has a timer with the real time limit and a word counter, and Pro Plus adds full mock exams that run the whole writing paper and submit automatically when time is up.

Cambridge is a trademark of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. PenLingo is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Scores are practice estimates, not official results.