B1 Preliminary Practice Test

Prepare for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) exam with free practice tests covering Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking at the B1 CEFR level. Build confidence for your intermediate English certification.

B1 - PreliminaryBy Dr. Yuki TanakaApr 7, 202656 min read
B1 Preliminary Practice Test
⏱️2 Hours20mTime Limit
📝~100Questions
70%Pass Rate
💵~€160Exam Fee
📊140+Pass Score
🖥️Paper/PCFormat
🔄UnlimRetakes
🏢2,800+Centers
📍GlobalBased
🩺CEFRStandard
💻YesComputer
🎓B1Level

The B1 Preliminary test is widely recognized by employers and educational institutions as proof of intermediate English proficiency. Achieving a passing score demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively in most everyday situations, write simple connected text, and understand spoken language on familiar matters. Try our KET A2 practice test.

Candidates preparing for cefr can build exam confidence with our CEFR English level test 2026, which covers all key topics and question formats used in the real assessment.

B1 Preliminary - B1 preliminary for schools practice test

B1 Practice Test Questions

Prepare for the B1 - Preliminary exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.

B1 Preliminary Exam Preparation

B1 Exam Questions covering B1 Preliminary Exam Preparation. Master B1 Test concepts for certification prep.

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B1 Preliminary Speaking Skills

Free B1 Practice Test featuring B1 Preliminary Speaking Skills. Improve your B1 Exam score with mock test prep.

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B1 Preliminary Use of English

B1 Mock Exam on B1 Preliminary Use of English. B1 Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.

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B1 Grammar and Vocabulary

B1 Test Prep for Grammar and Vocabulary. Practice B1 Quiz questions and boost your score.

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B1 Listening and Speaking

B1 Questions and Answers on Listening and Speaking. Free B1 practice for exam readiness.

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B1 Preliminary Listening Comprehension

B1 Mock Test covering Preliminary Listening Comprehension. Online B1 Test practice with instant feedback.

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B1 Preliminary Practice Test

Free B1 Quiz on Preliminary Practice Test. B1 Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.

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B1 Preliminary Vocabulary & Spelling

B1 Practice Questions for Preliminary Vocabulary & Spelling. Build confidence for your B1 certification exam.

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B1 Preliminary Writing Skills

B1 Test Online for Preliminary Writing Skills. Free practice with instant results and feedback.

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B1 Reading Skills

B1 Study Material on Reading Skills. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.

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B1 Preliminary Basic

Free B1 Test covering Preliminary Basic. Practice and track your B1 exam readiness.

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B1 Preliminary for Schools Reading

B1 Exam Questions covering Preliminary for Schools Reading. Master B1 Test concepts for certification prep.

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B1 Preliminary Grammar

Free B1 Practice Test featuring Preliminary Grammar. Improve your B1 Exam score with mock test prep.

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B1 Preliminary Reading

B1 Mock Exam on Preliminary Reading. B1 Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.

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B1 Preliminary Trivia

B1 Test Prep for Preliminary Trivia. Practice B1 Quiz questions and boost your score.

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B1 Preliminary Flashcards

Click to reveal the answer and prepare for your B1 Preliminary exam.

⏱️How long is the Reading paper?

The Reading paper lasts for 45 minutes and contains 6 parts.

START B1 PRELIMINARY TEST

📝How many parts in Writing?

The Writing paper has 2 parts: an email and an article or story.

🔊What is the Listening format?

Listening takes about 30 minutes and includes 4 parts with 25 questions.

REVIEW B1 PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS

🗣️Who attends the Speaking test?

Two candidates and two examiners are present during the Speaking test.

TRY B1 PRELIMINARY MOCK EXAM

📊What is a passing score?

A score of 140-159 is required to pass the B1 Preliminary exam.

ACCESS B1 PRELIMINARY STUDY GUIDE

🔄Does the B1 certificate expire?

No, the Cambridge English B1 Preliminary certificate is valid for life.

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B1 Preliminary Exam Study Guide

Our comprehensive study guide answers common questions about the B1 Preliminary test format, registration, and scoring. Use this information to plan your preparation effectively.

What is the B1 Preliminary exam?
It is an intermediate-level Cambridge English qualification (formerly PET) that shows you can use English for work, study, and travel.
Who accepts the B1 Preliminary certificate?
Thousands of employers, universities, and government bodies globally recognize the B1 Preliminary test as proof of English ability.
What level is B1 Preliminary?
It corresponds to Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Can I use the B1 Preliminary for visa applications?
Yes, many countries accept the B1 Preliminary exam for student and settlement visa applications.

B1 Preliminary Test Format

The B1 Preliminary test evaluates your four language skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. The structure is designed to test your ability to communicate in real-life English scenarios.

📖Reading25% of Score

Tests ability to read and understand main points from signs, journals, and newspapers.

MultipleChoiceMatchingGappedTextOpenCloze
  • Topics: Signs, short texts, long text
  • Questions: 32 questions (6 Parts)
✍️Writing25% of Score

Assesses your ability to use vocabulary and structure correctly in written English.

EmailArticleStory
  • Topics: Reply to email, write story/article
  • Questions: 2 Parts (45 mins)
🎧Listening25% of Score

Tests ability to follow and understand a range of spoken materials.

MultipleChoiceGapFillMatchingMonologues
  • Topics: Announcements, interviews
  • Questions: 25 questions (4 Parts)
🗣️Speaking25% of Score

The B1 Preliminary speaking test assesses interaction with an examiner and another candidate.

InterviewPhotoDescriptionDiscussionConversation
  • Topics: Personal info, description, likes/dislikes
  • Questions: 4 Parts (12-17 mins)
🏫For Schools / Variant

The B1 Preliminary for Schools version follows the same format but with topics adapted for students.

SchoolTopicsHobbiesDailyLifeTeenInterests
  • Topics: Same skills, younger context
  • Questions: Identical structure
⚖️Scoring / Cambridge Scale

Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale, replacing the old standardized score.

GradeGradeGradeLevel
  • Topics: Overall score + skill profile
  • Questions: 120-170 scale range

For the B1 Preliminary speaking test, practice describing photos for one minute without stopping. Focus on organizing your description: start with the general idea, then describe details (foreground, background), and speculate about what is happening.

B1 Preliminary Score Calculator

Total Scored Questions

150

0105150

105 out of 150 correct

70%

Required to Pass: ~70% (Estimated)

Your Score: 105 correctPASS

B1 Preliminary Score Interpretation

Understanding your Cambridge English Scale score is essential for knowing your CEFR level.

Score RangeGradeCEFR LevelOutcome
🥇 160 - 170Grade ALevel B2Distinction (Above Level)
🥈 153 - 159Grade BLevel B1Merit (Pass)
🥉 140 - 152Grade CLevel B1Pass
📉 120 - 139Level A2Level A2A2 Certificate
❌ 102 - 119FailBelow A2No Certificate

The B1 Preliminary exam uses the Cambridge English Scale. A score of 140 indicates you have met the B1 requirement. Scoring 160 or above demonstrates ability at Level B2.

How to Register for B1 Preliminary

The registration process involves finding an authorized exam center and choosing your preferred format and date. The B1 Preliminary test online registration is handled by individual centers.

🌍
Step 1

Find Center

Use the Cambridge English website to find one of 2,800 authorized centers.
📝
Step 2

Register

Decide between the standard B1 Preliminary test or the "For Schools" version.
💵
Step 3

Pay Fee

Choose between paper-based or computer-based testing options.
🎓
Step 4

Take Exam

Centers offer exams throughout the year; pick a date that suits your schedule.

B1 Preliminary Exam Cost

🔄

Full Retake Fee Must

pay full price

💻

Same Computer Usually

same price

The B1 Preliminary qualification is valid for life, making it a cost-effective investment for your education and career. Unlike other exams that expire after two years, you only pay once.

B1 Preliminary Sample Test - B1 Preliminary study guide
Pass Your B1 Preliminary Exam guide - B1 Preliminary certification study resource

B1 Preliminary Testing Contacts

For official information and registration, contact the authorized organizations.

🏫

Cambridge English Official Exam

Board

Website: cambridgeenglish.org

Services: Exam info, results

Contact: Via website

🇬🇧

British Council Exam

Provider

Website: britishcouncil.org

Services: Registration, venues

Contact: Local offices

📍

Exam

Centers Local Venues

Website: Center Search

Services: Booking, dates

Contact: Varies by city

B1 Preliminary Test Day Checklist

Pass Your B1 Preliminary Exam

Get ready for exam day with our complete collection of practice tests, study guides, and flashcards. Start practicing now to achieve your best score.

B1 Preliminary Questions and Answers

About the Author

Dr. Yuki TanakaPhD Applied Linguistics, MA TESOL

Applied Linguist & Language Proficiency Exam Specialist

Georgetown University

Dr. Yuki Tanaka holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics and an MA in TESOL from Georgetown University. A former language examiner with the British Council, she has 18 years of experience designing and teaching language proficiency preparation courses for TOEFL, IELTS, CELPIP, Duolingo English Test, JLPT, Cambridge FCE/CAE, and Versant assessments worldwide.