Cambridge Assessment English: B1 Preliminary for Schools
Practical English for everyday use
B1 Preliminary for Schools is a qualification that shows a pupil can deal with everyday written and spoken English at an intermediate level. B1 Preliminary for Schools is specially tailored to suit the interests of pupils, so it increases their motivation to learn English.
Because it is based on familiar topics and situations, it gives them the confidence to use their English and inspires them to move on to further qualifications.
B1 Preliminary for Schools follows exactly the same format as B1 Preliminary and the level of the question papers is identical. The only difference is that the content and treatment of topics in B1 Preliminary for Schools have been particularly targeted at the interests and experience of school pupils.

 B1 Preliminary for Schools FAQs

For schools qualifications, training & support leaflet
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  • Overview
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  • Results
  • Support
  • Registration

Real-life language skills

For schools qualifications leaflet
B1 Preliminary for Schools is set at Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Preparing for B1 Preliminary for Schools will give you the practical English skills to:
  • deal with everyday event
  • read simple textbooks or magazine articles.
  • write letters on familiar subjects.
  • take notes in a lesson.
It shows that a pupil can use English to communicate with native speakers for everyday purposes. For example, at B1 level, you can expect to:
  • understand the main points of straightforward instructions or public announcements.
  • deal with everyday situations when going out.
  • ask simple questions and take part in factual conversations with friends, family and at school.
  • write letters or make notes on familiar matters.
Reliable
Backed by the largest research programme of its kind, Cambridge English exams provide the most reliable reflection of your language skills.


Choice
Choose when and how you take your exam - B1 Preliminary for Schools is available as either a paper-based or computer-based exam, allowing you even more choice over how you take your test.


Fair
Cambridge English exams cover all major varieties of English and are designed to be fair to users of all nationalities and linguistic backgrounds.


Globally Accepted
More than 3,000 employers, universities and colleges, government departments and other organisations around the world rely on B1 Preliminary.


Fast results
Get your results in just two weeks with our computer-based exams.


A Cambridge English qualification
Once you have earned a Cambridge English certificate, you hold one of the most valuable English qualifications in the world.
What does B1 Preliminary for Schools involve?
B1 Preliminary for Schools is an intermediate level assessment of English for people who want to use English for work and study situations. It consists of four papers: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The Speaking exam uses a face-to-face test with two candidates and two assessors. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to use English to communicate.

B1 Preliminary for Schools has four papers:


Reading: 45 minutes
The B1 Preliminary for Schools Reading paper shows you can read and understand the main points from signs, newspapers and magazines. It has six parts and 32 questions. There are different types of texts and questions. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.

Number of parts:
6
Number of questions:32
Type of questions – Reading tasks:

  • Part 1: Multiple choice short texts
    Read five real-world notices, messages and other short texts for the main message.
  • Part 2: Matching
    Match five descriptions of people to eight short texts on a particular topic, showing detailed comprehension.
  • Part 3: Multiple choice
    Read a longer text for detailed comprehension, gist, inference and global meaning, as well as writer’s attitude and opinion.
  • Part 4: Multiple choice cloze
    Read a longer text from which five sentences have been removed. Show understanding of how a coherent and well-structured text is formed.
  • Part 5: Multiple choice cloze
    Read a shorter text and choose the correct vocabulary items to complete gaps.
  • Part 6: Open cloze
    Read a shorter text and complete six gaps using one word for each gap.


Writing: 45 minutes
The B1 Preliminary for Schools Reading paper shows you can use vocabulary and structure correctly. It has two parts and 3 questions. There are different types of texts and questions. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.

Number of parts:2
Number of questions:2
Type of questions – Writing tasks:

  • Part 1: Writing an email
    Write about 100 words, answering the email and notes provided.
  • Part 2: Choice between an article or a story
    Write about 100 words, answering the question of their choosing.


Listening: 30 minutes
The B1 Preliminary for Schools Listening paper has four parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You have to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials including announcements and discussions about everyday life. Each recording is heard twice. You will need to show that you can listen for gist (the main point), listen for specific information and recognise the attitudes and opinions of the speakers. You will hear individual people talking (monologues) and two people talking to each other (dialogues). This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.

Number of parts:4
Type of tasks:

  • Part 1: Multiple choice short texts
    Identify key information in seven short monologues or dialogues and choose the correct visual.
  • Part 2: Multiple choice short texts
    Listen to six short dialogues and understand the gist of each.
  • Part 3: Gap fill
    Listen to a monologue and complete six gaps.
  • Part 4: Multiple choice short text
    Listen to an interview for a detailed understanding of meaning and to identify attitudes and opinions.


Speaking: 12 minutes per pair of candidates
The B1 Preliminary for Schools Speaking shows how good your spoken English is as you take part in conversation by asking/answering questions and talking, for example, about your likes and dislikes. The test has four parts and will be conducted face-to-face with one or two other candidates. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. There are two examiners. One examiner (the interlocutor) talks to you and the other examiner (the assessor) just listens. Both examiners decide your grade but the assessor gives more detailed marks than the interlocutor. The Speaking test accounts for 25% of the total mark.

Number of parts:4
Type of tasks:
  • Part 1: Interview
    Respond to questions, giving factual or personal information.
  • Part 2: Extended turn
    Describe one colour photograph, talking for about 1 minute.
  • Part 3: Discussion
    Make and respond to suggestions, discuss alternatives and negotiate agreement.
  • Part 4: General conversation
    Discuss likes, dislikes, experiences, opinions, habits, etc.
Choosing your Speaking Test partner
If you would like to be paired together with a friend/classmate you can request this when you register for the exam. Please note however that research has shown that there are both advantages and disadvantages in taking the test with someone you know and that in the end it doesn’t matter. What is important is that the test judges you on your own performance.
Paper and pencil tests
Try a paper-based sample B1 Preliminary for Schools exam paper.
 Download the B1 Preliminary for Schools sample test
 Download the B1 Preliminary for Schools vocabulary list

Computer based exams
Watch this Tutorial before you start to help you understand what you need to do.
Try a Reading sample test
Try a Writing sample test
Try a Listening sample test

Answer keys
Reading & Writing answer keys
Listening answer key
There is no answer key for Writing Parts 2 and 3 of the Reading and Writing paper, but there are sample answers and examiner comments.

Information for Candidates
A guide to the exam, with an overview of what’s involved and examples of papers.
 Download Information for Candidates

Guide to exam day tips
Practical information about the session.
 B1 Preliminary for Schools FAQs
 Paper-based exams
 Computer-based exams

Summary Regulations for Candidates
All the important information you need to know when taking the exam.
 Download Summary regulations for candidates

Cheating warning
Cheating is treated very seriously by Cambridge English and if you cheat you will not get a result or a certificate.
 Please view this poster and make sure that you understand what it says.


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Useful resources to help you to prepare for your B1 Preliminary for Schools exam

Free Practice Tests
Computer tests
Try a computer-based sample B1 Preliminary for Schools exam paper:
Watch this Tutorial before you start to help you understand what you need to do.
Try a Reading sample test
Try a Writing sample test
Try a Listening sample test
The CB sample test is only compatible with Mozilla Firefox. The reason is that this browser is packaged to the Connect Plus program which is used for Live Computer Based Exams. You can download Firefox for free here. Once downloaded, open Firefox and use the links below to view the tests.
Paper and pencil tests
Try a paper-based sample B1 Preliminary for Schools exam paper.
 Download the B1 Preliminary for Schools sample test
 Download the B1 Preliminary for Schools vocabulary list
Preparation resources, games and Cambridge activities
Cambridge English resources to prepare your exam...
Online tools and materials to practice the different exam papers and to improve the candidate preparation for the test.
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Are you a private candidate?
It’s easy to register for B1 Preliminary for Schools in just three steps:
Step 1  Find an exam date

You can take the Cambridge English exams most months of the year.
Use our online search to find an exam date.

Step 2  Complete the registration form

You can complete the exam registration form online or come to our offices to register for an exam.

Step 3  Make payment

Payment for the exam must be made before the registration deadline. If you register after the deadline a late fee of 40 Euros will be applied. You can choose to pay for your exam via the following payment methods:

  1. By credit/debit card



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IMPORTANT: After we receive the exam registration form a confirmation of receipt will be sent to the candidate. Once the exam fees have been settled the candidate will receive confirmation that he/she is registered to take the exam.
If you do not receive confirmation of your exam registration within 3 working days please phone us on tel.: 934 111 333. You should also check that our email has not been sent to your junk/spam mail folder.

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