B1 Preliminary, previously known as Cambridge English: Preliminary and the Preliminary English Test (PET), is an English language examination provided by Cambridge Assessment English (previously known as Cambridge English Language Assessment and University of Cambridge ESOL examinations).
Quick Facts Year started ...
B1 PreliminaryYear started | 1943 (1943) |
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B1 Preliminary is an intermediate-level qualification and is designed for learners who have mastered the basic of English and now have practical language skills for everyday use. It is targeted at Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
B1 Preliminary is one of the examinations in Cambridge English Qualifications – a path for improving language skills. Each Cambridge English Qualification targets a particular level of the CEFR and they work together to create an effective learning journey.
There are Cambridge English Qualifications for schools, general and higher education, and business. B1 Preliminary is offered in two versions, B1 Preliminary for Schools, for school-aged learners, and B1 Preliminary, for general and higher education adult learners.[1]
Both versions of the exam (B1 Preliminary and B1 Preliminary for Schools) are made up of three exam papers, which cover all four language skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking).
The Speaking paper is taken face-to-face and candidates have the choice of taking the Reading and Writing paper and Listening paper on either a computer or on paper.[3]
1. Reading and Writing (1 hour 30 minutes – 50% of total marks)
The Reading and Writing paper has eight parts and 42 questions. Candidates are expected to read and understand different kinds of short texts and longer, factual texts. Text sources might include signs, brochures, newspapers, magazines and messages such as notes, emails, cards and postcards.
Parts 1 to 5 focus on reading skills, including underlying knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. The exam includes tasks such as answering multiple-choice questions, selecting descriptions which match different texts, and identifying true or false information.
Parts 6 to 8 focus on writing skills, including underlying knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. The exam includes tasks such as completing gapped sentences, writing a short informal letter of 35 – 45 words based on 3 given instructions, and producing a longer piece of writing – either a long informal letter or a story of about 80-100 words.
2. Listening (approximately 35 minutes – 25% of total marks)
The Listening paper has four parts comprising 25 questions. Candidates are expected to understand a range of spoken materials, in both informal and neutral settings, on a range of everyday topics. Recorded materials may include announcements, interviews and discussions about everyday life.
Part 1 has seven short recordings and three pictures for each. Candidates listen for key pieces of information in order to complete seven multiple-choice questions.
Part 2 has a longer recording either in monologue or interview format. Candidates identify simple factual information in the recording to answer six multiple-choice questions.
Part 3 has a longer monologue, which may be a radio announcement or a recorded message with information about places and events. Candidates are given a page of notes summarising the recording and must fill in six pieces of information which are missing from the notes.
Part 4 has an informal conversation between two people who are discussing everyday topics. Candidates decide whether six statements are true or false, based on the information, attitudes and opinions of the people in the recording.
3. Speaking (10–12 minutes – 25% of total marks)
The Speaking paper has four parts and is conducted face-to-face, with one or two other candidates and two examiners. Candidates are expected to demonstrate conversation skills by answering and asking questions and talking freely about their likes and dislikes.
Part 1 is a general conversation with the examiner. Candidates give personal information about themselves, e.g. talk about their daily life, studies, plans for the future, etc.
Part 2 is a collaborative task with the other candidate(s). The examiner gives the candidates some pictures and describes a situation. The candidates discuss the issues and decide what would be best in the situation.
Part 3 is completed individually. Each candidate has one minute to describe a photograph provided by the examiner.
Part 4 is a discussion with the other candidate(s). The candidates discuss the topic related to the photographs they were given in Part 3 of the exam, talking about their opinions.
In February 2016, Cambridge English Scale scores replaced the candidate profile and standardised scores used for pre-2016 results. All candidates (pre- and post-2016) receive a Statement of Results, with those scoring high enough also receiving a certificate.
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Scoring from February 2016
From 2016, the Statement of Results and the Certificate have the following information about the candidate’s performance:
- A score on the Cambridge English Scale for each skill (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking)
- A score on the Cambridge English Scale for the overall exam
- A grade (Pass with Distinction, Pass with Merit and Pass) for the overall exam
- A CEFR level for the overall exam.[5]
The candidate’s overall score is averaged from the individual scores for each paper (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking).
B1 Preliminary is targeted at CEFR Level B1, but also provides reliable assessment at the level above B1 (Level B2) and the level below (Level A2). The following scores are used to report results:
The following scores are used to report results:
More information Grade, Cambridge English Scale Score (120–170) ...
Grade | Cambridge English Scale Score (120–170) | CEFR Level |
Grade A | 160–170 | B2 |
Grade B | 153–159 | B1 |
Grade C | 140–152 | B1 |
CEFR Level A2 | 120–139 | A2 |
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Scores between 102 and 119 are also reported on the Statement of Results but candidates will not receive the Preliminary English Test certificate.
Scoring pre-February 2016
Pre-2016, the Statement of Results had the following information, reflecting the total combined score from all three papers:
- A grade (Pass with Distinction, Pass with Merit and Pass) for the overall exam
- A score (out of 100) for the overall exam
- A CEFR level for the overall exam.
More information Grade, Score (total mark out of 100) ...
Grade | Score (total mark out of 100) | CEFR Level |
Pass with Distinction | 90–100 | B2 |
Pass with Merit | 85–89 | B1 |
Pass | 70–84 | B1 |
CEFR Level A2 | 45–69 | A2 |
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Pre-2016, the Statement of Results had a Candidate Profile, which showed the candidate’s performance on each of the individual papers against the following scale: exceptional, good, borderline and weak.
Pre-2016, candidates who achieved a score of 45 or more (out of 100) received a certificate.