All you need to know about the B1 exam
Level: Preliminary
This exam is divided into four sections:
Reading (45 minutes)
Writing (45 minutes) (2 parts)
Listening (approximately 30 minutes) (4 parts)
Speaking (12- 17 minutes for each pair of candidates) (4 parts)
All Cambridge exams can be taken paper-based or computer-based.
Where can I take the B1 exam? How much does the exam cost?
Costs can vary according to the exam centre.
You can find your closest centre here.
Contact your closest centre, and they can assist you with exam dates and pricing.
5 easy steps to help you get ready to pass the Preliminary Cambridge Exam
Practice each part of the exam.
There are two versions of this exam:
– School-age learners
– Adult learners
Be consistent. if you have learnt British English use it in all parts of the exam. American English is also accepted. However, you cannot use both.
Reading part: You need to read and understand the main points. Practice reading magazines, newspapers and signs.
Use of English part: You will need to use vocabulary and grammar structures correctly.
Listening part: You have to follow and understand conversations about everyday life and announcements.
Speaking part: How you express taking part in conversations, asking/answering questions, or expressing what you like and dislike.
What is the format of the exam?
FIRST EXAM: Reading
45 minutes
25% of the total
PART 1
6 questions
1 point per question
Multiple choice
– You will be given five brief texts and you have to guess the main message.
What do you need to practice?
– Improve your vocabulary. Read advertisements, brief news and short stories.
PART 2
5 questions
1 point per question
– Match five descriptions of people with 8 texts. You will need to understand the texts in detail.
What do you need to practice?
– Grammar and improving your vocabulary.
PART 3
5 questions
1 point per question
Multiple choice
– Read a longer text. You have to gain a thorough understanding of the essence, conclusions and overall meaning, as well as the writer’s attitude and opinion.
What do you need to practice?
– Read books according to your level of English.
PART 4
5 questions
1 point per question
Gapped text
– Read a longer text from which five sentences have been deleted. Demonstrate an understanding of how a coherent and well-structured text is composed.
What do you need to practice?
– Read books suitable for your level.
PART 5
6 questions
1 point per question
Multiple-choice cloze
– Read a shorter text and choose the appropriate vocabulary to fill in the blanks.
What do you need to practice?
– Improve your vocabulary. Create a bank of flashcards and add all new words.
PART 6
6 questions
1 point per question
Open cloze
– Read a shorter text and fill in the six blanks with one word each.
What do you need to practice?
– Improve your vocabulary.
SECOND EXAM: Writing
45 minutes
25% of the total
Part 1 (Writing an email)
– You have to write an email using about 100 words.
Part 2 (Choose between an article or a story)
– You have to write about 100 words answering the question of your choice.
What do you need to practice?
– Practice writing one of the options given (an article or a story).
THIRD EXAM: Listening
45 minutes
25% of the total
Part 1 (Multiple choice)
(7 questions)
1 point per question
What does Part 1 consist of?
– Identifying the main information in seven monologues or short dialogues and choosing the appropriate image.
Part 2
6 questions
1 point per question
Multiple choice
What does Part 2 consist of?
– Listening to six short dialogues and understanding the essence of each one.
Part 3
6 questions
1 point per question
Gap fill
What does Part 3 consist of?
– Listening to a monologue and filling in six blank spaces.
Part 4
6 questions
1 point per question
Multiple choice
What does Part 4 consist of?
– Listening to an interview to gain a detailed understanding of the meaning and identifying attitudes and opinions.
FOURTH EXAM: Speaking
12 – 17 minutes
25% of the total
Part 1 (Interview)
2 minutes
What does Part 1 consist of?
– Answering questions by providing factual or personal information.
Part 2 (Extended turn)
3 minutes
What does Part 2 consist of?
– Describing a colour photograph, speaking for about 1 minute.
Part 3 (Discussion)
4 minutes
What does Part 3 consist of?
– Making and responding to suggestions, discussing alternatives and negotiating agreements.
Part 4 (General conversation)
3 minutes
What does Part 4 consist of?
– TalkING about likes, dislikes, experiences, opinions, habits, etc.
We recommend the computer-based exam. Why?
You will be able to see your word count in real time in the writing sections, you work as a whole and edit with more ease.
You will be able to use a pair of headphones in the listening section. You will be able to adjust the volume to suit your personal preference and reduce background noise.
Every section: there will be a timer on your screen which will indicate the time remaining in each part of the exam.
Also, you will receive your exam results in 2 – 3 weeks, whereas with the paper-based version, you will receive your results in 4 – 6 weeks.
What grammatical concepts do you need to understand in order to pass the B1 exam?
In order to express yourself more clearly and understand better the texts, you are reading you should know how to use the below grammar forms.
Verb Tenses
Present perfect
Past simple
Present perfect continuous
Past continuous
Past perfect
Past tense responses
Future continuous
Conditionals, 2nd and 3rd
Modal Verbs
Will and going to, for prediction
Must / can’t
May, might, will, probably
Should have, might have, etc.
Must, have to
Other grammar structures
Reported speech
Simple passive
Adverbs
Either and neither
So, such, too, enough…
Comparatives and superlatives
Question tags
Linking words expressing cause, effect, contrast, etc.
Embedded questions
Phrasal verbs
Prepositions of place
Wh – questions in the past
A B1 qualification shows that you can:
– Read simple books and articles.
– Write letters and emails.
– Take notes of meetings.
– Understand opinions and mood in spoken and written English.
We wish you the best of luck on the B1 exam.
If you have any questions or need clarification on a particular topic, do not hesitate to contact us.
We will be delighted to help you prepare to pass it with the best possible result.