A brief introduction

to the Cambridge English:

Preliminary test
PET Training
2017
Cambridge ESOL Levels Council of Europe Levels

Cambridge English: Proficiency Mastery C2

Cambridge English: Advanced Effective Proficiency C1

Cambridge English: First Vantage B2

Cambridge English: Preliminary Threshold B1

Cambridge English: Key Waystage A2

 What can you do at Level B1?

• Ask questions and understand information regarding travel

arrangements, and details relevant to the journey.

• State needs at work and ask questions to acquire relevant

information.

• Take part in meetings, present straightforward information

and understand straightforward instructions.
What can you do at Level B1?

• Take phone messages and pass on the information

accurately.

• Follow a simple presentation or seminar and make

notes.

• Write simple personal letters and messages.

 Overview of Cambridge English:
Preliminary

Paper Focus Number of Number of Timing

Parts questions

Reading 1 hour
1 and Writing
8 parts 42
30 minutes

approx.
2 Listening 4 parts 25
30 minutes

10–12
3 Speaking 4 parts
minutes
 Overview of Cambridge English: Preliminary
Reading and Writing tasks

NUMBER OF
PART FOCUS TASK TYPE
QUESTIONS

1 three-option multiple-choice sentences 5

2 matching 5
3 Reading true/false 10
4 four-option multiple choice 5

5 four-option multiple-choice cloze 10

1 sentence transformation 5
2 Writing guided writing 1
3 continuous writing 1
Overview of Cambridge English: Preliminary
Reading and Writing tasks

Candidates are required to:

✓ read and understand factual texts from signs,

brochures, newspapers and magazines

✓ understand the main messages, as well as to

understand an opinion or attitude expressed by the
writer, and have ways of dealing with unfamiliar words
and structures

✓ transform sentences as well as produce one short and

one longer piece of writing
 Overview of Cambridge English: Preliminary
Listening tasks

NUMBER OF
PART FOCUS TASK TYPE
QUESTIONS

three-option
1 7
multiple choice

Listening to three-option
2 6
identify key multiple choice
information
3 gap-fill 6

4 true/false 6
Overview of Cambridge English: Preliminary
Listening tasks

Candidates:

✓ make notes on their exam paper as they listen. Then

there are 6 minutes at the end of the test for
them to transfer their answers to the answer sheet.

✓ are assessed on their ability to identify specific

information and meaning, as well as their ability to
assess the speakers’ attitude or opinion.
Overview of Cambridge English: Preliminary
Speaking tasks

PART FOCUS TASK TYPE

candidate/ candidates answer

1 examiner personal questions

2 candidate/can candidates make and respond to

didate suggestions and recommendations

3 candidate/ candidates describe a photo

examiner

4 candidate/can extended conversation based on Part 3

didate topic