Cambridge Assessment English: B1 Preliminary
Practical English for everyday use
B1 Preliminary is an intermediate level qualification in English that opens the doors to opportunities for work, study and travel.

 B1 Preliminary FAQs
  • Overview
  • The exam
  • Results
  • Support
  • Registration
A B1 Preliminary qualification shows that you can:

> read simple textbooks and articles in English;

> write letters and emails on everyday subjects ;

> take meeting notes;

> show awareness of opinions and mood in spoken and written English.

Reasons to choose B1 Preliminary:

> Develop your ability to communicate in English for practical tasks and situations;

> gain a valuable qualification that is accepted worldwide;

> Improve your work, study and travel prospects.






Reliable
Backed by the largest research programme of its kind, Cambridge English exams provide the most reliable reflection of your language skills.


General and
higher education leaflet
Fair
Cambridge English exams cover all major varieties of English and are designed to be fair to users of all nationalities and linguistic backgrounds.

A Cambridge English qualification
Once you have earned a Cambridge English certificate, you hold one of the most valuable English qualifications in the world.

What does B1 Preliminary involve?
B1 Preliminary is an intermediate level assessment of English for people who want to use English for work and study situations. It consists of four papers: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The Speaking exam uses a face-to-face test with two candidates and two assessors. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to use English to communicate.

B1 Preliminary has four papers:

Reading: 45 minutes
The B1 Preliminary Reading paper shows you can read and understand the main points from signs, newspapers and magazines. It has six parts and 32 questions. There are different types of texts and questions. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.
Writing: 45 minutes
The B1 Preliminary Reading paper shows you can use vocabulary and structure correctly. It has two parts and 2 questions. There are different types of texts and questions. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.

Listening: 30 minutes
The B1 Preliminary Listening paper has four parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You have to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials including announcements and discussions about everyday life. Each recording is heard twice. You will need to show that you can listen for gist (the main point), listen for specific information and recognise the attitudes and opinions of the speakers. You will hear individual people talking (monologues) and two people talking to each other (dialogues). This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.

Speaking: 12 minutes per pair of candidates
The B1 Preliminary Speaking shows how good your spoken English is as you take part in conversation by asking/answering questions and talking, for example, about your likes and dislikes. The test has four parts and will be conducted face-to-face with one or two other candidates. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. There are two examiners. One examiner (the interlocutor) talks to you and the other examiner (the assessor) just listens. Both examiners decide your grade but the assessor gives more detailed marks than the interlocutor. Examiners may use their mobile phones for entering marks using an app. The Speaking test accounts for 25% of the total mark.




Exams Owl is our support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam and understand their

- Paper based exams - Computer based exams
- Answer keys - Regulations for candidates
- Exam day tips - Practice tests

YOU WILL FIND ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED ABOUT EXAM RESULTS AND CERTIFICATES ON OUR
NEW PORTAL...
Official support site of Exams Catalunya,Exams Madrid and Exams Balears for Preparation Centres, Teachers and Candidates


Exams Owl is our new support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam and understand their results:

- Exam results - Statement of Results
- Checking and verifying results - Certificates
- Enquiries and appeals  - Lost certificates


Useful resources to help you to prepare for your B1 Preliminary exam
ALL THE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT YOU NEED TO PREPARE FOR B1 PRELIMINARY EXAM ON OUR
NEW PORTAL...
Official support site of Exams Catalunya,Exams Madrid and Exams Balears for Preparation Centres, Teachers and Candidates

Exams Owl is our new support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on the B1 Preliminary exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam and understand their results:

- Sample tests - Speaking test videos
- Candidate information - Preparation resources
- Exam day tips


Are you a private candidate?
It’s easy to register for B1 Preliminary
in just three steps:
Step 1  Find an exam date

You can take the Cambridge English exams most months of the year.
Use our online search to find an exam date.

Step 2  Complete the registration form

You can complete the exam registration form online or come to our offices to register for an exam.

Step 3  Make payment

Payment must be made before the registration deadline. If you register or pay after the deadline a late fee will be applied.
You can choose to pay for your exam via the following payment methods:

  1. By credit/debit card




  2. By bank transfer to any of the following accounts:
    Banco Santander
    Account holder: Assessment and Certification Services, S.L.
    Account number: 0049 4754 89 2516056032
    IBAN: ES9400494754892516056032
    Banco Sabadell
    Account holder: Assessment and Certification Services, S.L.
    Account number: 0081 0053 54 0001180228
    IBAN: ES7300810053540001180228

    IMPORTANT: If you pay for your exam by bank transfer you should clearly state the name and surname/s of the candidate and the level and date of the exam session. All transfers must reach us free of bank charges or interest. Exams Madrid will not be responsible for these charges. You must send us the payment receipt by email to [email protected] so that we may trace your payment with the bank. Your place on the exam will not be confirmed until we receive a payment receipt for the exam fee.

  3. At our offices:
    Registration and payment for exams may also be made at our offices. If candidates choose this option payment should be made on registering. Payment may be made in cash, by bank transfer or credit/debit card.

    Calle de Asura, 40
    2ª planta
    28043 Madrid
    Tel: 911 041 761
    Horario: de lunes a viernes 9am - 5pm

    The candidate may register directly or send someone to register in his/her name.
IMPORTANT: After we receive the exam registration form a confirmation of receipt will be sent to the candidate. Once the exam fees have been settled the candidate will receive confirmation that he/she is registered to take the exam.
If you do not receive confirmation of your exam registration within 3 working days please phone us on tel.: 911 041 761. You should also check that our email has not been sent to your junk/spam mail folder.

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