SpeakingB1 Preliminary for Schools Exam Guide
Speaking is a paired test (two candidates, two examiners) scored on the Cambridge English Scale (B1 Preliminary range about 140-170). Around 140 is a pass at CEFR B1, valid for life.
Tested Skills
Question Types
Task Types
B1 Preliminary for Schools Speaking
Interview
The examiner asks you questions about yourself, your studies and your interests.
Strategies:
- •Give reasons and examples to extend your answers.
- •Speak naturally and don't recite memorised paragraphs.
Collaborative Task
You discuss a situation with your partner using a set of picture prompts.
Strategies:
- •Make suggestions and respond to your partner's ideas.
- •Use phrases for agreeing, disagreeing and suggesting.
Long Turn & Discussion
You describe a photo on your own, then discuss the topic with your partner.
Strategies:
- •Describe what you can see in the photo for about a minute.
- •Develop the later discussion by giving opinions and reasons.
Golden Tips
- ✓Practise describing photos to fill your full speaking turn.
- ✓Interact with your partner instead of speaking only to the examiner.
- ✓Use a range of vocabulary to show off your level.
- ✓Correct small mistakes calmly and keep going.
Common Mistakes
- ✗Describing a photo for only a few seconds.
- ✗Not interacting during the collaborative task.
- ✗Memorising answers that sound unnatural.
- ✗Speaking too fast and becoming unclear.
Preparation Resources
Recommended resources for Speaking section
B1 Preliminary Speaking Test Video
Official video of a real paired B1 speaking test with examiner comments.
Photo Description Phrase Bank
Useful language for describing pictures in the long turn.
Discussion Language Guide
Phrases for giving opinions, agreeing and making suggestions.
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