Cambridge English › PET
Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) Practice Tests
The qualification that shows you have mastered the basics – real-world English for work, study and travel. Practise the real 2020 exam format online, free.
20 free practice tests · instant scoring · no sign-up
4 papers
Scale score 120–170
Teens & adults
Start with Book 1 · Test 1
Not sure of your level? Placement test
The exam at a glance
Four papers, each worth 25% of the total mark. Unlike KET, Reading and Writing are separate papers.
Reading
6 parts · 32 questions · 45 minutes
Real-life texts, matching, gapped paragraphs and vocabulary cloze.
Writing
2 parts · 45 minutes
An email reply of about 100 words, then your choice of an article or a story.
Listening
4 parts · 25 questions · about 30 minutes
Everyday conversations, an interview and monologues – each plays twice.
Speaking
4 parts · 12–17 minutes · in pairs
Personal questions, describing a photo, and discussing a situation with your partner.
Results use the Cambridge English Scale. Score 140 or above and you pass; 160+ (Grade A) shows B2-level ability.
Free practice tests – Books 1 to 3
Every test opens in your browser with instant scoring and answers – nothing to download, no account needed. The sets follow the well-known Cambridge collection format.
AE4U Practice Set 7
★ AE4U Practice Sets are original full tests written by our teachers in the exact B1 Preliminary format.
A simple 12-week plan
Build the base – weeks 1–4
B1 needs confident past, perfect and conditional forms. One grammar lesson plus one Reading part a day keeps it manageable. Grammar courses →
Train each paper – weeks 5–8
Alternate Reading & Writing tests with Listening practice. For Writing, learn the email and article formats by heart – structure earns marks. Dictation practice →
Go full length – weeks 9–12
One complete test in one sitting each week, timed. Aim for a steady 80% before exam day. Thinking bigger? See how PET leads into IELTS →
Frequently asked questions
What score do I need to pass?
140 on the Cambridge English Scale (Grade C). 153+ is Grade B, 160+ is Grade A. If you score 120–139 you still receive a certificate showing A2-level English.
How is PET different from KET?
PET is a full CEFR level higher (B1 vs A2): four papers instead of three, separate Reading and Writing, longer texts and a 100-word email. If KET felt comfortable, PET is the natural next step.
Is PET equivalent to IELTS?
Roughly, a solid PET pass sits around IELTS band 4.0–5.0. Universities usually ask for IELTS or B2 First – PET is the stepping stone that gets you there with confidence.
What is the difference between PET and PET for Schools?
Same format, same level, same certificate value – the for Schools version simply uses topics familiar to school-age candidates. Our tests work for both.
The Cambridge ladder
New here? Follow the kids learning path (Pre-A1 → A2) – a simple week-by-week plan from Starters to A2 Key.
All practice material on this page is free. Not sure where to start? Ask our teachers – we answer every message.