Author

Claire Farrell

Head of Academic Content at Preptiviti · Cambridge English Examiner (Speaking & Writing)

Cambridge English Examiner — Speaking Cambridge English Examiner — Writing MSc in TESOL (Assessment and Evaluation)

About Claire Farrell

Claire Farrell is an official Cambridge English Speaking and Writing Examiner and Exam Supervisor, with 15 years of experience in language teaching, exam preparation and assessment, particularly at B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency levels. She holds an MSc in TESOL, specialising in Assessment and Evaluation, and has a strong background in language assessment and educational research. She combines her examining experience with an in-depth understanding of Cambridge assessment criteria and the strategies candidates need to succeed. As Head of Academic Content at Preptiviti, she leads the content development team, establishes pedagogical guidelines and oversees the quality of the platform's exam materials, assessments and feedback systems, ensuring they align with Cambridge exam standards.

Areas of expertise

B2 First (FCE) C1 Advanced (CAE) C2 Proficiency (CPE) Cambridge English exam preparation Writing assessment Speaking assessment Language assessment Exam supervision Content development Educational research

Guides written by Claire Farrell

Dos estudiantes hablando sentadas en un banco

B2 First (FCE)

B2 First Speaking Part 2: the “long turn” explained (2026)

Part 2 of the B2 First (FCE) Speaking test, the “long turn”, is the minute you speak alone...

9 min

Estudiante escribiendo en un cuaderno junto a una ventana

B1 Preliminary (PET)

B1 Preliminary Writing: both tasks explained (2026)

The B1 Preliminary Writing paper has two tasks of about 100 words each: an email in Part 1...

17 min

Use of English in C1 Advanced: the 3 parts, the patterns and the techniques

At C1, Use of English is 28 of the 78 marks in the Reading and Use of English...

10 min

CEFR levels and English exam equivalences: the complete table

A Cambridge B2, an IELTS 5.5 and a 4.0 on the new TOEFL scale describe the same level...

8 min

B2 First (FCE)

B2 First Use of English: The Mistakes That Cost You Marks

Use of English mistakes cost B2 First candidates more marks than anything else in the exam, and almost...

12 min

All levels

Cambridge Computer or Paper? How to Choose in 2026

The Cambridge exam on computer or on paper is exactly the same exam: same content, same structure and...

10 min

B2 First (FCE)

B2 First (FCE) in 2026: structure, cost and how to pass

The B2 First (formerly First Certificate or FCE) is the Cambridge English qualification certifying CEFR level B2 (upper-intermediate)....

14 min

B1 Preliminary (PET)

B1 Preliminary (PET) in 2026: structure, cost and how to prepare

The B1 Preliminary (formerly PET) is the Cambridge English qualification certifying CEFR level B1 — solid lower-intermediate proficiency....

15 min

C1 Advanced (CAE)

C1 Advanced (CAE) in 2026: structure, cost and how to prepare

The C1 Advanced (formerly the Certificate in Advanced English, or CAE) is the Cambridge English qualification certifying CEFR...

15 min

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