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A guide to the exam, with advice on preparing for the exam, tips for exam day and useful links.
Exam preparation
B1 Preliminary
for Schools
Information for candidates
Exam format
B1 Preliminary for Schools is made up of four papers developed to test your English skills:
45 minutes
The B1 Preliminary for Schools Reading paper has six parts. There are different types of texts and questions. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
Part 1 (Multiple choice):
- Read five real-world notices, messages and other short texts for the main message.
- 5 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
Part 2 (Matching):
- Match five descriptions of people to eight short texts on a particular topic, showing detailed comprehension.
- 5 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
Part 3 (Multiple choice):
- Read a longer text for detailed comprehension, gist, inference and global meaning, as well as writer’s attitude and opinion.
- 5 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
Part 4 (Gapped text):
- Read a longer text from which five sentences have been removed. Show understanding of how a coherent and well-structured text is formed.
- 5 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
Part 5 (Multiple choice cloze):
- Read a shorter text and choose the correct vocabulary items to complete gaps.
- 6 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
Part 6 (Open cloze):
- Read a shorter text and complete six gaps using one word for each gap.
- 6 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
45 minutes
The B1 Preliminary for Schools Writing paper has two parts. You have to show that you can write different types of text in English. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
Part 1 (Writing an email):
- Write about 100 words, answering the email and notes provided.
- 1 question
- The question has a maximum of 20 marks available
Part 2 (Choice between an article or a story):
- Write about 100 words, answering the question of their choosing.
- Choose one question from a choice of two
- The question has a maximum of 20 marks available
30 minutes, including 6 minutes’ transfer time
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 hear each recording twice. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
Part 1 (Multiple choice):
- Identify key information in seven short monologues or dialogues and choose the correct visual.
- 7 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
Part 2 (Multiple choice short texts):
- Listen to six short dialogues and understand the gist of each.
- 6 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
Part 3 (Gap fill):
- Listen to a monologue and complete six gaps.
- 6 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
Part 4 (Multiple choice):
- Listen to an interview for a detailed understanding of meaning and to identify attitudes and opinions.
- 6 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
12–17 minutes per pair of candidates
The B1 Preliminary for Schools Speaking test has four parts and is taken with another candidate. Exceptionally, the test may be taken with 3 candidates. There are two examiners. One examiner talks to you and the other examiner listens. Both examiners give marks for your performance. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
Part 1 (Interview):
- Respond to questions, giving factual or personal information
- 2 minutes
Part 2 (Extended turn):
- Describe one colour photograph, talking for about 1 minute.
- 3 minutes
Part 3 (Discussion):
- Discuss likes, dislikes, experiences, opinions, habits, etc.
- 3 minutes
Part 4 (General conversation):
- Describe one colour photograph, talking for about 1 minute.
- 3 minutes
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.
Groups of three candidates
Almost all A2 Key for Schools Speaking Tests are conducted in groups of two candidates. However, if there is an uneven number of candidates at an exam session there will be one test with a group of three candidates, normally at the end of the day or before a long break. The test format is exactly the same, but will last a little longer. Please note that you cannot request to take your test in a group of three.
Frequently asked questions and exam day tips
Information for candidates:
The Information for Candidates booklet is packed with study tips, exam advice and frequently asked questions. A great way to help your learners feel fully prepared for their exam.
Support and information for parents
Children can have fun learning English with the Cambridge English free games and activities.
Find information and tips to help encourage your children to have fun learning English.
Sample exams
Digital
Watch this video tutorial for help on how to complete a B1 Preliminary for Schools digital exam. Please also review this document which covers minor differences between the sample tests and the live exam.
Answer keys and tapescript
Use the answer keys below
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 in the relevant pages of the B1 Preliminary for Schools handbook.
Vocabulary list
This list gives teachers a guide to the vocabulary needed when preparing students for B1 Preliminary and B1 Preliminary for Schools.
Self-study activities
Use these activities to practice for your B1 Preliminary for Schools exam.
Speaking test video with examiners’ commentary
These video will help you to understand what happens during the B1 Preliminary for Schools speaking test. You can also download examiners’ comments for this video.
Examiner comments > Cristina and Andrea
Examiner comments > Laura and Claudia
Examiner comments > Yaheli, Fernanda and Lucia
Information for candidates
A guide to the exam, with advice on preparing for the exam, tips for exam day and useful links.
Exam format
B1 Preliminary for Schools is made up of four papers developed to test your English skills:
45 minutes
The B1 Preliminary for Schools Reading paper has six parts. There are different types of texts and questions. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
1 (Multiple choice)
- Read five real-world notices, messages and other short texts for the main message.
- 5 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
2 (Matching)
- Match five descriptions of people to eight short texts on a particular topic, showing detailed comprehension.
- 5 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
3 (Multiple choice)
- Read a longer text for detailed comprehension, gist, inference and global meaning, as well as writer’s attitude and opinion.
- 5 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
4 (Gapped text)
- Read a longer text from which five sentences have been removed. Show understanding of how a coherent and well-structured text is formed.
- 5 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
5 (Multiple choice)
- Read a shorter text and choose the correct vocabulary items to complete gaps.
- 6 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
6 (Open cloze)
- Read a shorter text and complete six gaps using one word for each gap.
- 6 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
45 minutes
The B1 Preliminary for Schools Writing paper has two parts. You have to show that you can write different types of text in English. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
1 (Writing an email)
- Write about 100 words, answering the email and notes provided.
- 1 question
- The question has a maximum of 20 marks available
2 (Article or a story):
- Write about 100 words, answering the question of their choosing.
- Choose one question from a choice of two
- The question has a maximum of 20 marks available
30 minutes, including 6 minutes’ transfer time
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 hear each recording twice. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
1 (Multiple choice)
- Identify key information in seven short monologues or dialogues and choose the correct visual.
- 7 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
2 (Multiple choice)
- Listen to six short dialogues and understand the gist of each.
- 6 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
3 (Gap fill)
- Listen to a monologue and complete six gaps.
- 6 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
4 (Multiple choice)
- Listen to an interview for a detailed understanding of meaning and to identify attitudes and opinions.
- 6 questions
- 1 mark for each correct answer
12–17 minutes per pair of candidates
The B1 Preliminary for Schools Speaking test has four parts and is taken with another candidate. Exceptionally, the test may be taken with 3 candidates. There are two examiners. One examiner talks to you and the other examiner listens. Both examiners give marks for your performance. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
1 (Interview)
- Respond to questions, giving factual or personal information
- 2 minutes
2 (Extended turn)
- Describe one colour photograph, talking for about 1 minute.
- 3 minutes
3 (Discussion)
- Discuss likes, dislikes, experiences, opinions, habits, etc.
- 3 minutes
4 (General conversation)
- Describe one colour photograph, talking for about 1 minute.
- 3 minutes
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.
Groups of three candidates
Almost all A2 Key for Schools Speaking Tests are conducted in groups of two candidates. However, if there is an uneven number of candidates at an exam session there will be one test with a group of three candidates, normally at the end of the day or before a long break. The test format is exactly the same, but will last a little longer. Please note that you cannot request to take your test in a group of three.
Frequently asked questions and exam day tips
Information for candidates:
The Information for Candidates booklet is packed with study tips, exam advice and frequently asked questions. A great way to help your learners feel fully prepared for their exam.
Support and information for parents
Children can have fun learning English with the Cambridge English free games and activities.
Find information and tips to help encourage your children to have fun learning English.
Sample tests
Digital
Watch this video tutorial for help on how to complete an B1 Preliminary for Schools digital exam. Please also review this document which covers minor differences between the sample tests and the live exam.
Answer keys and tapescript
Use the answer keys below:
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 in the relevant pages of the B1 Preliminary for Schools handbook.
Vocabulary list
This list gives teachers a guide to the vocabulary needed when preparing students for B1 Preliminary and B1 Preliminary for Schools.
Self-study activities
Use these activities to practice for your B1 Preliminary for Schools exam.
Speaking test video with examiners’ commentary
These video will help you to understand what happens during the B1 Preliminary for Schools speaking test. You can also download examiners’ comments for this video.
Examiner comments > Cristina and Andrea
Examiner comments > Laura and Claudia
Examiner comments > Yaheli, Fernanda and Lucia