B1 English Practice Test

B1 English Exam at a Glance

What changed for B1 English in 2026

• Oct 25, 2026: Testing window changed to Normally within 28 days of booking (previously Provider-booked appointments; normally within 28 days).^[5]
• Oct 25, 2026: Validity changed to 2 years from the date the test is awarded (previously Expired qualifications can sometimes be reused).^[5]
• Oct 25, 2026: Delivery (IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1) changed to With an examiner and one other test taker (previously With an examiner and another test taker).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Score release (Trinity GESE Grade 5 (B1)) changed to Provisional result by 9am next day; certificate link within 4–7 days (previously Final result within 4–7 days).^[8]
• Oct 25, 2026: Retake fee (Trinity GESE Grade 5 (B1) — optional Exam Protect) changed to £35 add-on covering one resit and one reschedule (previously £35 advance add-on covering one resit and one reschedule).^[3]
• Oct 25, 2026: Score release (Pearson PTE Home B1) changed to Typically within 48 hours (previously Typically 48 hours).^[9]
• Oct 25, 2026: Retake policy (Pearson PTE Home B1) changed to Wait for previous result before rebooking (previously Wait for the previous result before rebooking).^[4]

B1 English Study Tips

• Create a structured study schedule at least 4-6 weeks before your B1 English exam date.
• Focus on understanding core concepts rather than memorising answers for the B1 SELT English Test for UK Settlement and Citizenship.
• Use our free practice tests to identify weak areas and track your progress over time.
• Review the official B1 English exam syllabus to ensure complete topic coverage.
• Take timed practice sessions to build your exam pace and reduce test-day anxiety.

Free B1 English Study Tools

Interactive B1 English resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• B1 English flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• B1 English study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• B1 English cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

According to UK Home Office (gov.uk), with approved SELT providers Trinity College London, LANGUAGECERT, IELTS, Pearson and PSI, “You need at least 60 out of 100 to pass.”^[2]

Worked examples: how to reason through B1 English questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: A landlord leaves a message: 'I just wanted to let you know the boiler engineer will come on Wednesday between nine and twelve. You don't need to be there — I have a spare key.' Does the tenant need to be home?

1. No, the landlord has a key
2. Yes, they must let the engineer in
3. Yes, but only for part of the time
4. It is not mentioned

Answer: A. No, the landlord has a key

Explanation:

The correct answer is that the tenant does not need to be home. The landlord says 'You don't need to be there' and gives the reason: he has a spare key, so the engineer can get in without the tenant.

'Yes, they must let the engineer in' contradicts that sentence. 'Yes, but only for part of the time' adds a condition the message never states; the time window tells you when the engineer will arrive, not when the tenant must be present. 'It is not mentioned' is wrong because the message answers the question directly.

Rule to remember: find the sentence that answers the exact question, and notice negatives such as 'don't need to'. Do not choose an option just because it repeats words from the message.

Example 2

Question: He ______ a mistake on his visa application form and had to resubmit it.

1. did
2. made
3. took
4. had

Answer: B. made

Explanation:

The correct answer is 'made'. English uses the collocation 'make a mistake', so the verb that fits before 'a mistake' is 'make', here in the past tense.

'Did' is wrong because 'do' goes with things like homework, a job or a favour, not with errors. 'Took' is wrong because 'take' goes with things like a test, a photo or a decision. 'Had' is wrong because 'have a mistake' is not a natural phrase; you can have a problem or have an error on a form only in other structures.

Rule to remember: learn verbs together with the nouns they usually pair with. When you meet a new noun, write down the verb that goes with it, such as make a mistake, take a test, do homework.

Example 3

Question: At a job interview, the interviewer says: 'We offer 28 days' annual leave including bank holidays, a contributory pension scheme, and after a qualifying period of six months, private health insurance.' When would you become eligible for health insurance?

1. Immediately when you start the job
2. After your probation period ends
3. After six months of employment
4. After one full year of service

Answer: C. After six months of employment

Explanation:

The correct answer is 'After six months of employment'. The interviewer says private health insurance comes 'after a qualifying period of six months', so the benefit does not start on the first day.

'Immediately when you start the job' is wrong because it ignores the qualifying period. It is true of leave and the pension, which are mentioned without a delay, but the question asks only about health insurance. 'After your probation period ends' is wrong because probation is never mentioned; the speaker says qualifying period. 'After one full year of service' is wrong because the time given is six months, not a year.

Rule to remember: when a list contains several items, match the time or condition to the item the question asks about, and do not guess details that were not said.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the free B1 English practice test to see where you stand, and note which question types slow you down. Then read the page of your chosen test provider so you know the format you will actually sit.

Work on weak areas with the focused sets. For language accuracy, use Grammar & Sentence Structure and Vocabulary in Everyday Contexts. For understanding, use Listening Skills and Reading Comprehension. For producing English, use Speaking Scenarios and Writing Tasks.

After each set, read the explanation for every question you missed and write down the rule in your own words. Say your answers aloud for the speaking scenarios, because the real test is spoken and time is short. The Life in the UK Integration set helps with everyday topics such as housing, work and services.

In the last days before the test, repeat the full practice test and compare it with your first attempt. Do not rely on these sets alone: they are written by us and are not real exam questions, so use the official provider material as your guide to the format.

Ready to Pass the B1 English?

Join thousands of candidates who have used our free practice tests to prepare for the B1 SELT English Test for UK Settlement and Citizenship. Start practising today and build the confidence you need to succeed. Practice with the free B1 English practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).

Candidates preparing for selt can build exam confidence with our SELT English test 2026, which covers all key topics and question formats used in the real assessment.

Sample B1 English Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free B1 English practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. Read the advertisement: 'Experienced plumber available for all jobs, large and small. No call-out fee. Free quotes. Call Mike on 07700 900123.' What does Mike offer for free?

   • A. Quotes
   • B. All plumbing work
   • C. Call-out visits
   • D. Spare parts

Answer: A. Quotes

The advertisement says Mike provides free quotes. The 'no call-out fee' means he does not charge to visit, but the question asks what he explicitly offers for free.

Answer: A. Three

The teacher says students must answer the three questions at the end of the chapter.

Answer: C. 'If you speaks English well, you can communicate with more people in your community.'

The correct form is 'If you speak English well' (not 'speaks'). After 'you,' the base form of the verb is used, not the third-person singular form.

Answer: B. Children

'Children' is an irregular plural noun. Unlike regular nouns that add -s or -es, irregular plurals change form entirely (child → children, man → men, woman → women, tooth → teeth).

Take the full B1 English practice test

Sources & last verified

1. ielts.org — time limit, delivery (official source). “The test will take around 20 minutes.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 16, 2026.
2. selt.languagecert.org — time limit, passing score, score release (official source). “11-13 minutes” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.
3. trinitycollege.com — retake fee (official source). “For just £35 (on top of your SELT exam fee), Exam Protect will allow you to:” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 20, 2026.
4. pearsonpte.com — retake policy (official source). “You can only book your new test once you have received the scores from your last test.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 20, 2026.
5. UK Home Office (gov.uk), with approved SELT providers Trinity College London, LANGUAGECERT, IELTS, Pearson and PSI — validity, testing window (official source). “Test results are valid for 2 years from the date the test is awarded.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.
6. UK Home Office (gov.uk), with approved SELT providers Trinity College London, LANGUAGECERT, IELTS, Pearson and PSI — eligibility (official source). “aged 65 or over” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.
7. ielts.org — score release (official source). “IELTS for UKVI Life Skills: results within 9 days.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 16, 2026.
8. trinitycollege.com — time limit, score release (official source). “The Trinity B1 GESE Grade 5 exam is a 10 minute speaking and listening test” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 20, 2026.
9. pearsonpte.com — score release (official source). “Receive your Score report, usually within 48 hours.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 20, 2026.
10. skillsforenglish.com — score release (official source). “We aim to have your test results within 14 days of you taking your test. This will be within 28 days maximum.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.