
The B1 Preliminary is an intermediate-level exam. It corresponds to CEFR level B1 and indicates that you are able to use your English skills in a professional or academic environment.
The B1 Preliminary for Schools version, with themes adapted for middle and high school students, also validates level B1.
This exam is one of the key stages in your English language learning journey, between A2 Key and B2 First.
Exam format
B1 Preliminary consists of four parts designed to test your English skills. Here are the details of each test.
| Test | Contents | Marks (% of total) |
Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Reading comprehension |
6 parts/ 32 questions |
25% |
Shows that you can read and understand the main news items in newspapers and magazines. |
|
Written expression |
2 parts/ 2 questions |
25% |
Shows that you can use a varied vocabulary in a grammatically correct sentence structure. |
|
Listening comprehension |
4 parts/ |
25% |
You need to be able to follow and understand different recordings, such as advertisements and everyday discussions. |
|
Oral expression |
4 parts |
25% |
Show how well you speak English in conversation by asking/answering questions, for example about your tastes. The oral exam is conducted face-to-face with one or two candidates and two examiners. This makes the assessment more realistic and reliable. |

- Points Clés Niveau CECR : B1
Format du test : Sur papier ou ordinateur
Nombre d'épreuves : 4 (compréhension et expression, écrite et orale)
Durée du test : Environ 2h20










