The papers in B1 Preliminary, B2 First and C1 Advanced, how long each one takes, how many words to write and how the final score is worked out.
B1 Preliminary has four papers, each worth 25% of the score, and takes just over two hours. B2 First and C1 Advanced also have four papers, but reading comes together with Use of English (grammar and vocabulary). B2 First takes about 3 h 29 min and C1 Advanced about 3 h 55 min.
The table describes B1 Preliminary for Schools, the version school students usually take.
| Paper | Time | Structure | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 45 min | 6 parts, 32 questions: short messages and notices, matching, a longer text, a text with missing sentences, gap fills | 25% |
| Writing | 45 min | 2 texts of about 100 words: a reply email and, by choice, an article or a story | 25% |
| Listening | 30 min, including 6 min to transfer answers | 4 parts, 25 questions; each recording is played twice | 25% |
| Speaking | 10–12 min per pair, 15–17 min per group of three | 4 parts: interview, describing a photo, discussion with the partner, general conversation | 25% |
The pass mark is 140 points (Grade C). With 160–170 points, the student gets Grade A and a B2-level certificate.
| Paper | Time | Structure | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English | 1 h 15 min | 7 parts, 52 questions, 2,200–2,500 words of text in total: gap fills, word formation, rewriting a sentence with a given word, multiple choice, a text with missing sentences, matching | 40% (20% Reading, 20% Use of English) |
| Writing | 1 h 20 min | 2 texts of 140–190 words: a compulsory opinion essay and, by choice, an article, an email or letter, a review or a report | 20% |
| Listening | approx. 40 min | 4 parts, 30 questions; each recording is played twice | 20% |
| Speaking | 14 min per pair, 20 min per group of three | 4 parts: interview, 1 minute on two photos, a paired task, discussion with the examiner | 20% |
The pass mark is 160 points (Grade C). With 180–190 points, the student gets Grade A and a C1-level certificate.
| Paper | Time | Structure | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English | 1 h 30 min | 8 parts, 56 questions, 3,000–3,500 words of text in total | 40% (20% Reading, 20% Use of English) |
| Writing | 1 h 30 min | 2 texts of 220–260 words: a compulsory essay based on given points and, chosen from three, a letter or email, a proposal, a report or a review | 20% |
| Listening | approx. 40 min | 4 parts, 30 questions | 20% |
| Speaking | 15 min per pair, 23 min per group of three | 4 parts: interview, 1 minute on photos, a paired task, a 5-minute discussion | 20% |
The pass mark is 180 points (Grade C). With 200–210 points, the student gets Grade A and a C2-level certificate. A direct comparison of B2 First and C1 Advanced is in our guide to FCE and CAE.
Each paper gets a score on the Cambridge English Scale, and the final score is their average. B1 Preliminary averages four scores. In B2 First and C1 Advanced, Use of English is scored separately, so the average is of five equal scores.
That means grammar and vocabulary count as much as a full paper at B2 and C1. Paper scores appear on the Statement of Results. How to read them is in the guide to Cambridge English Scale scores.
The student speaks with one other candidate, or in a group of three, in front of two examiners. One leads the test, and the other listens and marks.
In B1 Preliminary, the examiner who leads the test may be online. In all three exams there is a part where the student speaks alone for about a minute, based on photos.
The tasks are the same; only the way of answering changes. B1 Preliminary, B2 First and C1 Advanced run on computer all year, and results come in about 2–3 weeks, against 4–6 weeks on paper.
Two recent changes:
For which exam suits which school grade, see the guide to which Cambridge exam for which school grade.
At Pathway English School, classes are online, in small groups of 6–8 students of the same level, with Cambridge exam preparation, Cambridge-certified lecturers and monthly progress reports. Book the free trial lesson.
Four: Reading and Use of English (1 h 15 min), Writing (1 h 20 min), Listening (approx. 40 min) and Speaking (14 min per pair). The final score is the average of five equal scores, because Use of English is scored separately.
About 3 hours 55 minutes: Reading and Use of English 1 h 30 min, Writing 1 h 30 min, Listening approx. 40 min and Speaking 15 min per pair.
Reading (45 min), Writing (45 min), Listening (30 min) and Speaking (10–12 min per pair). Each paper is worth 25% of the score.
In B1 Preliminary, about 100 words per text. In B2 First, 140–190 words. In C1 Advanced, 220–260 words. All three exams have two texts.
The tasks are the same; only the way of answering changes. Results come faster: about 2–3 weeks, against 4–6 weeks for the paper-based exam.
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