B1 Preliminary (PET) Overview
B1 Preliminary (formerly PET) shows you have practical, everyday English. It has four equally weighted parts — Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking — and reports a Cambridge English Scale score with a grade and CEFR level, targeted at B1.
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Level: B1. B1 Preliminary — once called PET (Preliminary English Test) — is the intermediate rung of the Cambridge English ladder. It proves you have mastered the basics and can use English for everyday work, study and travel (Cambridge English). This page explains its four components, how it is scored, and how to prepare here.
By the end of this page you can…
…describe the four components of B1 Preliminary, say how long each takes and how it is weighted, read your score on the Cambridge English Scale, and plan your study.
What B1 Preliminary shows you can do
The exam tests all four skills and, as Cambridge English describes it, shows a learner can:
- read simple textbooks and articles in English;
- write letters and emails on everyday subjects;
- understand factual information;
- show awareness of opinions and mood in spoken and written English.
Exam format
B1 Preliminary has four components, and each is worth the same quarter of the marks. The format is identical for the digital and paper exams (Cambridge English):
| Component | Time | Parts / questions | Share of marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 45 minutes | 6 parts / 32 questions | 25% |
| Writing | 45 minutes | 2 parts / 2 questions | 25% |
| Listening | 30 minutes (incl. 6 minutes transfer time) | 4 parts / 25 questions | 25% |
| Speaking | 10–12 minutes per pair of candidates | 4 parts | 25% |
Unlike A2 Key, Reading and Writing are separate papers here. For a group of three candidates, the Speaking test runs 15–17 minutes (Cambridge English).
Inside the Reading paper
The Reading paper has six parts with different text and question types (Cambridge English):
| Part | What you do | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read five short notices and messages for the main message | 5 |
| 2 | Match five descriptions of people to eight short texts | 5 |
| 3 | Read a longer text for detail, gist, inference and opinion | 5 |
| 4 | Gapped text: put five removed sentences back in order | 5 |
| 5 | Multiple-choice cloze: choose the right word for each gap | 6 |
| 6 | Open cloze: complete six gaps with one word each | 6 |
Writing, Listening and Speaking
Writing is its own 45-minute paper with 2 parts and 2 questions, where you show you can use vocabulary and structure correctly (Cambridge English). Listening lasts 30 minutes (including 6 minutes transfer time), with 4 parts and 25 questions covering announcements, discussions and other everyday material. Speaking is face to face: you take it with one or two other candidates and two examiners (one talks to you, one listens), across 4 parts where you ask and answer questions and talk about your likes and dislikes (Cambridge English).
How it is scored
B1 Preliminary reports on the Cambridge English Scale and is targeted at B1, with results reaching a level above (B2) and below (A2) (Cambridge English):
| Scale score | Grade | CEFR level |
|---|---|---|
| 160–170 | A | B2 |
| 153–159 | B | B1 |
| 140–152 | C | B1 |
| 120–139 | Level A2 | A2 |
You receive a separate score for each skill plus an overall score, a grade and a CEFR level. Digital results arrive in 5–10 working days; paper results normally in 4–6 weeks (Cambridge English).
Which exam should you take
B1 Preliminary at a glance.
How to prepare with this course
Spread your practice across all four skills, since each carries equal weight:
- Grammar: B1 leans on the present perfect, irregular past simple, the first conditional, the second conditional and reported statements.
- Vocabulary: widen your range with the vocabulary sets and linking words for writing.
- Writing: train everyday correspondence with Formal Writing & Emails and the Writing practice guide.
- Reading: rehearse the six task types under time with B1 reading practice.
- Listening: use the Listening practice guide.
Sample B1 English
These sentences sit at about the level B1 Preliminary tests. Use the audio to hear them.
Example sentences
- I have worked here since last March.Present perfect with since, common at B1.
- If I had more time, I would learn the guitar.A second conditional about an unreal situation.
- The museum, which opened last year, is free on Sundays.A relative clause adding information.
- She said that she would call me later.Reported speech, tested at B1.
- I am writing to apply for the summer job.Opening line of a formal email.
- Although it was raining, we enjoyed the trip.Linking contrast with although.
- The report must be finished by Friday.A modal of obligation.
- I would rather travel by train than by plane.Expressing a preference.
- By the time we arrived, the film had started.Past perfect in a narrative.
- Could you let me know if the date changes?A polite request in an email.
- In my opinion, cycling is the best way to get around.Giving an opinion with a reason.
- The new policy will affect everyone in the office.A future statement with will.
- I am used to getting up early for work.Be used to for a habit.
- Thank you for your help. I look forward to hearing from you.A formal email closing.
Practice
B1 Preliminary (PET)
Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.
2 Match each Reading part to its task.
- Part 1
- Part 4
- Part 6
Show answer
- Part 1 → short notices for the main message
- Part 4 → put back five removed sentences
- Part 6 → open cloze, one word per gap
The Reading paper mixes six task types across its six parts.
Hint: between A2 and B2
Show answer
B1 — The exam aims at B1, with results also reported at A2 and B2.
4 Put the four components in the order used in this course table.
Show answer
Reading Writing Listening Speaking — The table lists Reading, Writing, Listening, then Speaking.
Hint: the level above B1
Show answer
B2 — Scores of 160–170 earn grade A and a B2 certificate.
Quiz
B1 Preliminary (PET) quiz
11 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.
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Show answer
PET — B1 Preliminary used to be called PET, the Preliminary English Test.
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Four — It has four: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
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Each is worth 25% — All four components carry an equal 25% of the marks.
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Reading and Writing are separate papers — At B1 Preliminary, Reading and Writing are separate papers; at A2 Key they are combined.
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45 minutes — Reading lasts 45 minutes and has six parts.
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Six — The Reading paper has six parts with 32 questions.
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put five removed sentences back into a text — Part 4 is a gapped text: you replace five sentences that were removed.
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B1 — The exam is targeted at B1, with results also at A2 and B2.
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B2 — Scores of 160–170 earn grade A and a B2 certificate.
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Face to face with other candidates and two examiners — Speaking is face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners.
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45 minutes — Writing is its own 45-minute paper with two tasks.
Recap cheat-sheet
| Point | What to remember |
|---|---|
| Components | 4 — Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking |
| Timing | Reading 45 min, Writing 45 min, Listening 30 min, Speaking 10–12 min a pair |
| Marks | 25% each, all skills equal |
| Target level | B1 (scale reaches A2 and B2) |
| Grade A | scale 160–170, certified at B2 |
| Reading paper | 6 parts, 32 questions, mixed task types |
Next
- Sharpen grammar: English Grammar lessons
- Widen vocabulary: English Vocabulary sets
- Time your reading: B1 reading practice
- Back to the English exams hub
- New here? Start with Start Learning English Here
All English exams topics
Vocabulary, pronunciation, phrases, practice and exam help, ordered by level. Pick a topic and go straight to it. New lessons go live every day, so topics marked Coming soon fill in over the next weeks.
Exams
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B1 6 topics · 6 ready
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- 03 IELTS Overview: Format & Scoring
- 04 IELTS Listening: Format & Strategies
- 05 Understanding IELTS Band Scores
- 06 Cambridge English Exams Explained
- 07 B1 Preliminary (PET) Overview You are here
B2 12 topics · 12 ready
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- 09 IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
- 10 IELTS Writing Task 2 (Essay)
- 11 IELTS Speaking: Parts 1-3
- 12 TOEFL iBT Overview: Format & Scoring
- 13 TOEFL Reading Strategies
- 14 TOEFL Listening Strategies
- 15 TOEFL Speaking Tasks
- 16 TOEFL Writing (incl. Integrated)
- 17 B2 First (FCE) Overview
- 18 Exam Essay & Writing Skills
- 19 Exam Speaking Strategies