B1 Preliminary cheat sheet

Paper 1 Reading has 6 parts, 32 questions, 45 minutes including transfer time.

Part 1: 5 short texts (signs, messages, labels); choose A, B or C for each.

Part 2: 5 questions matching 5 people to 8 short texts; texts can be used once only.

Part 3: 5 multiple-choice questions on one longer text; questions follow text order.

Part 4: 5 gapped sentences in a factual text; choose one of 3 options per gap.

Part 5: 6 gaps in a short text; choose one of 4 options testing grammar and vocabulary.

Part 6: 6 gaps in a short text; write ONE word per gap, often a preposition or article.

Scan for names, dates and numbers before reading the whole text in Parts 2 and 3.

Wrong spelling in Parts 1–5 loses the mark; in Part 6 a word must be exactly one word.

Paper 2 Writing has 2 parts, 45 minutes; Part 1 is compulsory, Part 2 has a choice.

Part 1: write an email of about 100 words answering 4 notes; all 4 points must be covered.

Part 2: choose one task (article or story) and write about 100 words.

Article tasks usually give a title and two content points; both points must appear.

Story tasks give a first sentence that must be used exactly as written.

Assessment has 4 criteria: Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation, Language.

Each criterion is scored 0–5; Content checks whether the reader is fully informed.

Organisation scores depend on linking words (because, however, also, finally) and paragraphing.

Writing fewer than about 80 words usually lowers the Content score.

Paper 3 Listening has 4 parts, 25 questions, about 30 minutes plus 6 minutes transfer time.

Part 1: 7 short dialogues with pictures; choose A, B or C for each.

Part 2: 6 multiple-choice questions on one longer conversation or interview.

Part 3: 6 gaps in a page of notes; write one or two words per gap.

Part 4: 6 true/false questions on a short talk; decide if each statement is correct.

Each recording is heard twice; the second listening is for checking, not for new answers.

Numbers, prices and times are often corrected in the recording; write the final figure.

In Part 3, the answer must be spelled correctly and must not exceed two words.

Speaking test has 4 parts and lasts 10–12 minutes; two candidates are tested together.

Part 1: interviewer asks each candidate personal questions (name, home, studies, free time).

Part 2: each candidate describes a photograph for about 1 minute; no interaction needed.

Part 3: candidates discuss a task together for about 2 minutes, then make a decision.

Part 4: interviewer asks questions related to the Part 3 topic for about 3 minutes.

Assessment has 4 criteria: Grammar and Vocabulary, Discourse Management, Pronunciation, Interactive Communication.

Each criterion is scored 0–5; Interactive Communication checks turn-taking and responding.

In Part 3, candidates should ask their partner questions, not only state opinions.

In Part 2, a description should cover people, place, action and visible details.