Reading
45 minutes · 6 parts · 32 questions · 25%Understanding main points, detail, inference and opinions in everyday texts.
Tuhina← All programmesB1
B1 Preliminary (PET)
A Cambridge English Qualification showing that a learner has practical language skills for everyday use and has mastered the basics of English.
Who it's for
Learners progressing from A2 Key towards independent everyday communication at CEFR Level B1.
Cambridge exam snapshot
Know the
qualification.
These details summarise the current official Cambridge English qualification and exam format.
CEFR levelB1
Papers4
Total lengthAbout 2 hours 20 minutes
Cambridge Scale140–159
Writing
45 minutes · 2 parts · 2 questions · 25%Writing an email and either an article or a story of about 100 words.
Listening
30 minutes · 4 parts · 25 questions · 25%Following announcements, dialogues and discussions about everyday life.
Speaking
10–12 minutes per pair · 4 parts · 25%Answering questions, describing a photograph and discussing ideas with a partner.
What learners develop
Purposeful skills.
Visible progress.
01Reading notices, messages, articles and longer texts
02Understanding gist, detail, inference and opinions
03Writing an email and either an article or story
04Following announcements and everyday discussions
05Describing a photograph for an extended turn
06Discussing options, making suggestions and reaching agreement
Inside the qualification
What candidates encounter.
- Six Reading parts
- Two Writing tasks
- Four Listening parts, with recordings played twice
- A four-part Speaking test with another candidate
- Each of the four components contributes 25%
Skills demonstrated
What the level represents.
- Understand the main points of everyday texts
- Use vocabulary and structure in organised writing
- Follow a range of spoken materials about everyday life
- Ask and answer questions in conversation
- Express preferences, suggestions and opinions at B1 level
Vocabulary resource
Build the words
for this level.
B1 Preliminary and B1 Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
The official 53-page vocabulary list for B1 Preliminary and B1 Preliminary for Schools, updated in August 2025 with additions shown in green.
Download the wordlist ↓Free exam practice
Download the
sample papers.
Use these official-format resources to practise each paper. Download the question papers first, then use the answer keys and tapescript to check the work.
Listening practiceB1 Preliminary for Schools listening sample test
Download MP3 ↓Question paper
PDF document
Download PDF ↓Answer key
PDF document
Download PDF ↓Question paper
PDF document
Download PDF ↓Question paper
PDF document
Download PDF ↓Answer key
PDF document
Download PDF ↓Tapescript
PDF document
Download PDF ↓Speaking sample paper
PDF document
Download PDF ↓About the qualification
Watch the
course overview.
Play the video here to learn more about B1 Preliminary.
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