B1 Preliminary exam format

PAPER CONTENT TIME MARKS PURPOSE

Shows you can read and understand
Reading 6 parts/
45' 25% the main points from signs,
32 questions
newspapers and magazines
2 parts/ Shows you can use vocabulary and
Writing 2 questions
45' 25%
structure correctly
You have to be able to follow and
4 parts/ understand a range of spoken
Listeaning 25 questions 30' 25%
materials including announcements
and discussions about everyday life
Shows how good your spoken
12–17' English is as you take part in
Speaking 4 parts per pair of 25% conversation by asking/answering
candidates questions and talking, for example,
about your likes and dislikes

Reading paper:
has six parts. There are different types of texts and questions.

Part 1 (Multiple choice): 5 questions

Read 5 real-world notices, messages and other short texts for the main message.

Part 2 (Matching): 5 questions

Match five descriptions of people to 8 short texts on a particular topic, showing detailed
comprehension.

Part 3 (Multiple choice): 5 questions

Read a longer text for detailed comprehension, gist, inference and global meaning, as well as
writer’s attitude and opinion.

Part 4 (Gapped text): 5 questions

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): 6 questions

Read a shorter text and choose the correct vocabulary items to complete gaps.
Part 6 (Open cloze ): 6 question
Read a shorter text and complete six gaps using one word for each gap.

Writing paper:
has two parts. You have to show that you can write different types of text in English.

Part 1 (Writing an email ): 1 question

Write about 100 words, answering the email and notes provided.
The question has a maximum of 20 marks available.

Part 2 (Choice between an article or a story): 1 question

Write about 100 words, answering the question of their choosing.
The question has a maximum of 20 marks available.

Listeaning 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.

Part 1 (Multiple choice): 7 questions

Identify key information in 7 short monologues or dialogues and choose the correct visual.

Part 2 (Multiple choice): 6 questions

Listen to 6 short dialogues and understand the gist of each.

Part 3 (Gap fill): 6 questions

Listen to a monologue and complete six gaps.

Part 4 (Multiple choice): 6 questions

Listen to an interview for a detailed understanding of meaning and to identify attitudes and
opinions.

Speaking paper:
has four parts and you take it together with another candidate. There are two examiners. One of the
examiners talks to you and the other examiner listens. There are two examiners.
Part 1 (Interview): 2'
Respond to questions, giving factual or personal information.

Part 2 (Extended turn): 3'

Describe 1 colour photograph, talking for about 1 minute.

Part 3 (Discussion): 4'

Make and respond to suggestions, discuss alternatives and negotiate agreement.

Part 4 (General conversation): 3'

Discuss likes, dislikes, experiences, opinions, habits, etc.