Cambridge English B1 Preliminary — still widely known by its old name, PET — is not a single test of "how good is your English" but four separate papers: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, each with its own format and its own way of being marked. Reading and Listening are marked objectively (multiple choice, gap-fills, matching); Writing is assessed against published criteria — content, communicative achievement, organisation and language — not simply "is it correct"; Speaking is usually taken in pairs, with two examiners. It is worth knowing early which test you actually need: B1 Preliminary is a general English qualification that proves your level, while IELTS is the test many universities, employers and immigration systems ask for — and UK visa applications generally require a test from UK Visas and Immigration's own list of approved Secure English Language Tests (SELTs). Asagno's exam packs are built on the same content as the regular B1 lessons, wrapped in exam conditions: a server-enforced clock per paper, audio with the same replay limit as the real test, and an AI examiner that scores your writing and speaking with a corrected version and specific feedback, not just a pass/fail number.
What you'll learn
- The four-paper structure — Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking — and what each paper actually rewards
- Reading strategy: read the question first, then scan the notice or message for the one fact it asks about
- Listening strategy: use the preparation time to predict answers, the first hearing to answer and the second to check
- Writing under time pressure: cover every note in the email task, then choose the article or story you can write best
- A full practice exam with a server-timed clock, resumable if you get interrupted, and a detailed results breakdown per skill
A real reading-paper task type
You see a short real-world text — for example a notice: "Library closed Monday for staff training. Books due that day can be returned on Tuesday without a fine." — and choose which of three statements means the same thing. The wrong options usually reuse words from the notice ("Monday", "fine") with a different meaning, so matching by meaning rather than by a shared word is the whole skill — and speed matters as much as accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take Cambridge B1 Preliminary or IELTS?
It depends on who is asking for the certificate. B1 Preliminary is a general English qualification — a solid, recognised proof of your level. IELTS is the test many universities, employers and immigration systems specify, and for UK visa or settlement purposes UK Visas and Immigration generally only accepts tests on its approved SELT list, which a general Cambridge certificate is not automatically part of. Requirements change, so check exactly which test (and which version of it) the university, employer or GOV.UK guidance asks for before booking.
Does Asagno reproduce official past exam papers?
No. Practice exam content is original, written to match the public structure and difficulty of the B1 Preliminary format — it is not copied from any official past paper, and Asagno is not affiliated with Cambridge University Press & Assessment or with IELTS.
Can I try a section before buying the exam pack?
Yes — every exam pack includes one free sample section so you can see the real format and timing before deciding.