B1 Preliminary for Schools study plan
B1 Preliminary for Schools · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Reading & Writing
Identify the six B1 Preliminary Reading task types (signs, matching, multiple choice, gapped text, multiple-choice cloze, open cloze) and state what each one asks you to do
Skim a 250-word school-themed article in under 3 minutes and underline the sentence that answers each of five comprehension questions
Write a short message of 35-45 words that covers all three content points given in a prompt
Build a personal error log with 20 entries recording the reason each answer was wrong (vocabulary, grammar, or misread instruction)
Your checkpoint
A completed error log of 20 items plus one 40-word message marked against a 3-point content checklist, scoring at least 2/3
Reading & Writing
Scan short notices and signs for the key word that decides the answer, completing 15 items with at least 12 correct
Match five descriptions of people to eight short texts by highlighting the need in each description before reading the texts
Draft a 100-word informal email to a friend using at least three linking words (because, so, although)
Correct ten sentences containing typical B1 errors in past simple, comparatives, and prepositions
Your checkpoint
One handwritten 100-word email plus a scored reading set of 15 sign and matching items with the score and review notes recorded
Listening & Speaking
Listen to a two-minute recording twice and note the specific detail (time, price, place) that answers each question
Predict the topic of a short dialogue from the first sentence and confirm or reject the prediction while listening
Record a one-minute answer to a personal-information question, speaking without long pauses
Describe a photograph for 60 seconds using present continuous and at least four location phrases (in the background, on the left)
Your checkpoint
Two saved audio recordings (one 1-minute personal answer, one 60-second photo description) with a self-assessment note listing two strengths and two fixes
Listening & Speaking
Complete a full Listening paper under timed conditions and transcribe every wrong answer to find the misheard word
Take part in a two-minute paired discussion, asking your partner at least three follow-up questions
Give and justify an opinion on a school topic using 'I think... because...' and one contrasting idea with 'but'
Reduce hesitation by practising five answers aloud twice each, aiming for fewer than three long pauses per answer
Your checkpoint
A timed Listening paper score recorded with a list of 8 misheard words and their correct forms, plus one recorded 2-minute discussion with a partner or language partner
Reading & Writing
Complete a full Reading paper in 45 minutes and identify which task type consumes the most time
Write a 100-word email in 20 minutes and a 35-45 word message in 8 minutes to practise exam pacing
Apply a checklist of greeting, three content points, closing, and word count to two pieces of writing
Paraphrase five sentences from a reading text to build vocabulary for the Writing tasks
Your checkpoint
One timed full Reading paper score plus two timed writing pieces, each with the word count and checklist result written at the top
Reading & Writing
Raise the Reading paper score by at least 10 percent over the week-5 attempt by reworking the weakest task type
Write an email that uses at least two different past tenses accurately and check each verb form
Complete 20 open-cloze items focusing on articles, prepositions, and verb forms, reaching 15 correct
Proofread your own writing for spelling and punctuation and correct at least five errors before submitting
Your checkpoint
A second timed Reading paper score compared with week 5 in a short table, plus one corrected second draft of an email showing the changes made
Listening & Speaking
Complete a full Listening paper with no replay and score it against the answer key
Sustain a four-minute conversation covering two topics without switching to your first language
Answer follow-up questions about your school, hobbies, and future plans in full sentences
Self-assess one recorded speaking response against B1 criteria for grammar, vocabulary, and fluency
Your checkpoint
One full timed Listening score plus a recorded 4-minute conversation with a written self-assessment scoring each criterion from 1 to 5
Reading & Writing & Listening & Speaking
Sit one complete mock exam across all four papers on separate days under real timing
Review every incorrect answer and assign it to a domain and an error type
Rehearse the speaking test format end to end, including the photo description and discussion phases
Finalise a one-page personal checklist of the five mistakes you most often make
Your checkpoint
A mock exam results sheet showing a score for each of the four papers and a one-page final checklist of your top five recurring errors
Milestones
Week 2: You can complete a 15-item Reading set of signs and matching tasks with at least 12 correct and can write a 40-word message containing all three required content points
Week 4: You have recorded a full timed Listening paper and two speaking recordings, and you can name the specific words or sounds you mishear most often
Week 6: Your second timed Reading paper score is at least 10 percent higher than the week-5 score, and both timed writing pieces meet the word limit and content checklist
Week 8: You have completed a full four-paper mock exam with a recorded score per paper and a final one-page checklist of your five most frequent errors