CELI B1 exam-day guide
CELI B1 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID (original)
Bring the original document you registered with, typically a passport or national identity card. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a photocopy is ever allowed; assume originals only.
Registration confirmation / admission document
Print or save the confirmation email or admission letter showing your candidate number, session time, and test centre address. Some centres ask to see it at the door; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (two or more)
Most written sections are completed in ink. Bring spares. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted for any answer sheet section.
Pencil and eraser
Useful if any section uses a machine-readable answer sheet. Confirm with the provider whether pencils are allowed or provided.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Staying hydrated helps during a long session. Many centres restrict bottles to transparent, unlabelled ones; confirm with the provider.
Watch (non-smart, silent)
Some rooms have no visible clock and phones must be switched off and stored. A plain analogue or digital watch without connectivity is usually acceptable; confirm with the provider.
Test centre location and travel plan
Check the exact address and entrance the day before, plus transport times and any building security checks. Aim to arrive well before the reporting time; the exact early-arrival window should be confirmed with the provider.
Leave phones and smart devices stored or switched off
Smartwatches, phones, and earbuds are normally not allowed at your desk. Plan where you will leave them; confirm with the provider whether lockers are available.
Know the section order and timings
Familiarise yourself with the order of the sections (typically listening, reading, writing, and an oral interview, possibly on a different day) and how long each lasts. Confirm the exact structure and timing with the provider, since session formats vary.
Review the oral interview logistics
If the speaking test is on the same day, know your slot and the waiting procedure. Confirm with the provider whether the interview may be scheduled separately.
Medical or access arrangements confirmed in advance
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, these are normally requested well before the test date. Confirm with the provider what has been approved and what documentation to bring.
No unauthorised reference materials
Dictionaries, notes, and grammar tables are generally not permitted unless the provider explicitly allows them for a specific section. Confirm with the provider before relying on any aid.
Plan the day
Confirm the test centre address, reporting time, and section schedule using your admission document. Re-read the provider's rules on ID, permitted items, and devices so there are no surprises at the door. Do one full timed practice run under exam conditions, then stop intensive new-topic study and focus on reviewing your own error notes, common verb forms, connectors, and useful phrases for the writing and oral tasks. Prepare your bag and documents the night before, and protect your sleep.
Do a light review only: skim a short list of frequent grammar points and a handful of linking expressions you actually use. Practise speaking aloud for ten to fifteen minutes, for example describing a photo or giving an opinion with reasons, so your mouth is warmed up. Check transport times and any building access requirements, set two alarms, and avoid late-night cramming. Eat normally and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the centre with time to spare, allowing for delays. Bring your original ID and admission document in a single folder with your pens. Keep your phone off and stored before entering the building. Use the waiting time for calm breathing and a brief glance at your phrase list, not for new material. Follow staff instructions for seating and materials.
Read the instructions for each section before starting and note the time allocation. In listening, read the questions ahead of the audio and answer as you go rather than waiting until the end. In reading, skim for gist first, then scan for detail, and do not let one hard item consume your time. In writing, plan briefly, watch the required length and register, and leave a minute to check agreement, tenses, and spelling. In the oral interview, listen to the whole question, ask for clarification politely if needed, and support opinions with reasons and examples. If you finish early, use the time to check rather than to leave.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID document used at registration. If your ID is expired, lost, or the name does not match your registration, contact the provider before the test date; entry may be refused and the exact policy must be confirmed with the provider.
Phones, smartwatches, and other connected devices must be switched off and stored away from your desk. Keeping a device on your person during the test is commonly treated as misconduct; confirm the provider's device policy in advance.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, do not look at others' papers, and do not take notes or materials out of the room unless staff say so. Follow all invigilator instructions immediately.
Breaks are usually not permitted within a timed section. If you need to leave the room for a medical reason, raise your hand and wait for staff; the time lost is normally not added back, so confirm the provider's policy on breaks and timing.
Results and scoring are set by the provider, not by the test centre staff. Ask the provider how and when results are released, how long they remain valid, and how the overall level is determined from the section scores.
If you believe there was a disturbance or a problem with conditions, tell the invigilator at the time and follow the provider's complaints or appeal procedure afterwards; deadlines for appeals should be confirmed with the provider.
Arriving after the reporting time may mean you are not admitted and your fee is not refunded. The exact cut-off and any exceptions must be confirmed with the provider rather than assumed.