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B1 Preliminary (PET)
About B1 Preliminary (PET)
B1 Preliminary, formerly known as Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET), is one of our Cambridge English Qualifications. It is the English language exam that shows you have mastered the basics.
A B1 Preliminary qualification shows that you have mastered the basics of English and now have practical language skills for everyday use.
This exam is the logical step in your language learning journey between A2 Key and B2 First.
B1 Preliminary includes the B1 Preliminary (PET) or B1 Preliminary for Schools (PETfS) exam. The two tests share the same format and measure the same language level. B1 Preliminary for Schools has content and topics relevant to the interests and knowledge of students at school. So B1 Preliminary for Schools is suitable for students of school age.
B1 Preliminary (PET) exam format
B1 Preliminary is made up of four papers developed to test students’ English skills. You can see exactly what’s in each paper below.
| Paper | Content | Marks (% of total) |
Purpose |
| Reading (45 minutes) See sample paper |
6 parts/ 32 questions |
25% | Shows you can read and understand the main points from signs, newspapers and magazines. |
| Writing (45 minutes) See sample paper |
2 parts/ 2 questions |
25% | Shows you can use vocabulary and structure correctly. |
| Listening (30 minutes, including 6 minutes’ transfer time) See sample paper |
4 parts/ 25 questions |
25% | You have to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials including announcements and discussions about everyday life. |
| Speaking (12–17 minutes per pair of candidates) See sample paper |
4 parts | 25% | Shows how good your spoken English is as you take part in conversation by asking/answering questions and talking, for example, about your likes and dislikes. Your Speaking test will be conducted face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. |
Reading
The B1 Preliminary Reading paper has six parts. There are different types of texts and questions.
| Exam parts | Description | What do candidates have to do? | How many questions are there? | How many marks are there? |
| Part 1 | Multiple choice | Read five real-world notices, messages and other short texts for the main message. | 5 | One mark for each correct answer. |
| Part 2 | Matching | Match five descriptions of people to eight short texts on a particular topic, showing detailed comprehension. | 5 | One mark for each correct answer. |
| Part 3 | Multiple choice | Read a longer text for detailed comprehension, gist, inference and global meaning, as well as writer’s attitude and opinion. | 5 | One mark for each correct answer. |
| Part 4 | Gapped text | Read a longer text from which five sentences have been removed. Show understanding of how a coherent and well-structured text is formed. | 5 | One mark for each correct answer. |
| Part 5 | Multiple choice cloze | Read a shorter text and choose the correct vocabulary items to complete gaps. | 6 | One mark for each correct answer. |
| Part 6 | Open cloze | Read a shorter text and complete six gaps using one word for each gap. | 6 | One mark for each correct answer. |
Writing
The B1 Preliminary paper has two parts. You have to show that you can write different types of text in English.
| Exam parts | Description | What do candidates have to do? | How many questions are there? | How many marks are there? |
| Part 1 | Writing an email | Write about 100 words, answering the email and notes provided. | 1 | The question has a maximum of 20 marks available. |
| Part 2 | Choice between an article or a story | Write about 100 words, answering the question of their choosing. | Choose one question from a choice of two. | The question has a maximum of 20 marks available. |
Listening
The B1 Preliminary Listening paper has four parts. For each part, you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice.
| Exam parts | Description | What do candidates have to do? | How many questions are there? | How many marks are there? |
| Part 1 | Multiple choice | Identify key information in seven short monologues or dialogues and choose the correct visual. | 7 | One mark for each correct answer. |
| Part 2 | Multiple choice | Listen to six short dialogues and understand the gist of each. | 6 | One mark for each correct answer. |
| Part 3 | Gap fill | Listen to a monologue and complete six gaps. | 6 | One mark for each correct answer. |
| Part 4 | Multiple choice | Listen to an interview for a detailed understanding of meaning and to identify attitudes and opinions. | 6 | One mark for each correct answer. |
Speaking
The B1 Preliminary Speaking test has four parts and you take it together with another candidate. There are two examiners. One of the examiners talks to you and the other examiner listens.
| Exam parts | Description | What do candidates have to do? | How many questions are there? |
| Part 1 | Interview | Respond to questions, giving factual or personal information. | 2 minutes |
| Part 2 | Extended turn | Describe one colour photograph, talking for about 1 minute. | 3 minutes |
| Part 3 | Discussion | Make and respond to suggestions, discuss alternatives and negotiate agreement. | 4 minutes |
| Part 4 | General conversation | Discuss likes, dislikes, experiences, opinions, habits, etc. | 3 minutes |
B1 Preliminary (PET) exam result
| Cambridge English grade scale | Grade | CEFR level |
| 160–170 | Grade A | B2 |
| 153–159 | Grade B | B1 |
| 140–152 | Grade C | B1 |
| 120–139 | Level A2 | A2 |
The test measures the B1 level according to the CEFR Framework. The test is reliable at levels above B1 (Level B2) and the below level (Level A2).
Scores between 102 and 119 are also reported on the candidate’s Test Results Report, but the candidate will not receive an B1 Preliminary (PET) certificate.
B1 Preliminary (PET) sample exam
B1 Preliminary (PET) sample exam
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jjB_dK0x8Fa1EODiEHk9ks3LFEYBz8oZ?usp=sharing
B1 Preliminary for Schools (PETfS) sample exam
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1949TuF1LC4RUanDCpGZB0lnEGgDXEEcW?usp=sharing
Who accepts Cambridge English exams?
Cambridge English exams are recognised by over 25,000 universities, employers and governments around the world. Our English language tests can open doors to higher education, improve employment opportunities, and because they are globally recognised, can increase your choices for study or work.
Find out more: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/why-choose-us/global-recognition/
