B1 - Preliminary B1/Questions/Trivia 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What was the B1 Preliminary exam formerly known as?
- PET (Preliminary English Test) (Correct answer)
- FCE (First Certificate in English)
- KET (Key English Test)
- BEC (Business English Certificate)
Correct answer: PET (Preliminary English Test)
The B1 Preliminary was previously called the Preliminary English Test (PET). Cambridge Assessment English rebranded it to 'B1 Preliminary' to make its CEFR level immediately clear to candidates and employers.
Question 2: How long does the Reading and Writing paper in the B1 Preliminary exam last?
- 45 minutes
- 1 hour
- 1 hour 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- 2 hours
Correct answer: 1 hour 30 minutes
The Reading and Writing paper lasts 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes). This is the longest single paper in the exam, combining both skills into one sitting.
Question 3: How many parts does the B1 Preliminary Listening paper contain?
- 2
- 3
- 4 (Correct answer)
- 5
Correct answer: 4
The B1 Preliminary Listening paper has 4 parts, each featuring different task types such as multiple choice, matching, and gap-fill, testing a range of listening sub-skills.
Question 4: Which organisation develops and administers the B1 Preliminary exam?
- British Council
- Cambridge Assessment English (Correct answer)
- Trinity College London
- IELTS Academic Board
Correct answer: Cambridge Assessment English
Cambridge Assessment English, part of the University of Cambridge, develops and administers the B1 Preliminary exam along with all other Cambridge English Qualifications.
Question 5: In which year was the B1 Preliminary exam significantly revised with a new format?
- 2015
- 2018
- 2020 (Correct answer)
- 2022
Correct answer: 2020
The B1 Preliminary was substantially updated in January 2020. The revision introduced new task types, changed the reading and writing format, and placed greater emphasis on real-world communication skills.
Question 6: How many parts does the Writing paper in B1 Preliminary have?
- 1
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 3
- 4
Correct answer: 2
The B1 Preliminary Writing paper has 2 parts. Part 1 requires candidates to write a short email of around 100 words, while Part 2 asks for a slightly longer piece such as an article or story.
B1 - Preliminary B1/Questions/Trivia 1
What was the B1 Preliminary exam formerly known as?