B1 Preliminary for Schools Handbook

B1 Preliminary for Schools – an overview
B1 Preliminary for Schools is an intermediate level qualification 
in practical everyday English language skills. It follows on as a 
progression from A2 Key and gives learners confidence to study 
for taking higher level Cambridge English Qualifications such as 
B2 First. 
Exam formats
B1 Preliminary for Schools can be taken as either a paper-based or 
computer-based exam.
Who is the exam for?
B1 Preliminary for Schools is aimed at school students who want 
to show they can:
• read simple textbooks and articles in English
• write emails on everyday subjects
• understand factual information
• show awareness of opinions and mood in spoken and
written English.
Who recognises the exam?
The B1 Preliminary for Schools certificate is recognised around the 
world as proof of intermediate level English skills for industrial, 
administrative and service-based employment. It is also accepted 
by a wide range of educational institutions for study purposes.
Cambridge English Qualifications are accepted and trusted by 
thousands of organisations worldwide. For more information 
about recognition go to 
cambridgeenglish.org/recognition
What level is the exam?
B1 Preliminary for Schools is targeted at Level B1 on the CEFR.
Achieving a certificate at this intermediate level proves that 
a candidate has mastered the basics in English and now has 
practical language skills for everyday use.
Statements of Results
The Statement of Results shows the candidate’s:
• Score on the Cambridge English Scale for their performance
in each of the four language skills (reading, writing, listening and 
speaking). 
• Score on the Cambridge English Scale for their overall 
performance in the exam. This overall score is the average of 
their scores for the four skills.
• Grade – this is based on the candidate’s overall score.
• Level on the CEFR – this is also based on the overall score.
Certificates
The certificate shows the candidate’s:
• score on the Cambridge English Scale for each of the four skills
• overall score on the Cambridge English Scale
• grade
• level on the CEFR
• level on the UK National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
Students will receive the same certificate as candidates who take 
B1 Preliminary.
*This level refers to the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework
Date of issue: 02/05/19
Certificate Number: 0000000000
Francesca Woodward
Chief Executive
Francesca Woodward
Chief Executive
Cambridge Assessment English
DP931 
This is to certify that