B1 Preliminary

Results for exams taken before January 2020

B1 Preliminary results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale.

You will receive a separate score for each of the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking), giving you a clear understanding of your performance. These four scores are averaged to give you an overall result for the exam. You will also be given a grade and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level.

For more information about the Cambridge English Scale, download our factsheet

When will I get my B1 Preliminary Statement of Results?

All candidates receive a Statement of Results, and if you are successful in the exam you will also receive a certificate.

Your Statement of Results is released online, approximately four to six weeks after the exam for paper-based exams, and two to three weeks after the exam for computer-based exams. The fastest way to get your results is to sign up to our free online results service.

When will I get my B1 Preliminary certificate?

We send your certificate to your exam centre about three weeks after results are available. Your exam centre then sends it on to you.

If you took a paper-based exam, your certificate will be sent to your centre seven to nine weeks after the date of your exam.
If you took a computer-based exam, your certificate will be sent to your centre five to six weeks after your exam date.

B1 Preliminary Scale Scores

Depending on which university, college or organisation you are applying to, you may be asked to achieve a specific score or grade, either overall or for a particular skill. For B1 Preliminary, the following scores will be used to report results:

Cambridge English Scale Score	Grade	CEFR level
160–170	Pass with Distinction	B2
153–159	Pass with Merit	B1
140–152	Pass	B1
120–139	Level A2	A2

The exam is targeted at Level B1 of the CEFR. The examination also provides reliable assessment at the level above B1 (Level B2) and the level below (Level A2).

Scores between 102 and 119 are also reported on your Statement of Results, but you will not receive the Preliminary English Test certificate.

The relationship between the CEFR levels, the Cambridge English Scale and the grades awarded in B1 Preliminary is illustrated below:

Diagram of where B1 Preliminary is aligned on the CEFR and the Cambridge English Scale

Changes to the exam in 2020

From January 2020, the way that we report your grade for the overall exam will be changing:

Pass with Distinction changes to A
Pass with Merit changes to B
Pass changes to C

This is the only change to the way that results will be reported – you will still receive a Cambridge English Scale score for the overall exam, and for each of the exam papers, as well as a CEFR level for the overall exam.

You can find out more about the 2020 update on our dedicated website.

What is a Statement of Results?
What is on my certificate?
Can I get my results online?
How can institutions verify my results?

Your Statement of Results contains the following information:

score on the Cambridge English Scale for each of the four skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking)
score on the Cambridge English Scale for the overall exam
grade (A, B, C) for the overall exam
CEFR level for the overall exam.

Find out how to understand your Statement of Results

Download a sample Statement of Results for B1 Preliminary

Certificates are normally sent to exam centres within three months of the exam. Please contact your centre if you need to know the specific date. Your certificate can be awarded at different levels, depending on your achievement.

B1 Preliminary – Level B2
If you achieve a scale score of 160–170 (Distinction) in your exam, you will receive the Preliminary English Test certificate at Level B2.

B1 Preliminary – Level B1
If you achieve a scale score of 140–159 (Pass, Pass with Merit) in your exam, you will receive the Preliminary English Test certificate at Level B1.

Level A2 certificate
We believe it is important to recognise your achievement, even if you do not reach Level B1. If your exam performance is below Level B1, but falls within Level A2, we will recognise your achievement with a Cambridge English certificate stating that you demonstrated ability at Level A2.

How long is my B1 Preliminary certificate valid for?
Your Cambridge English certificate does not expire. Recognising organisations such as universities, colleges and employers can choose how long to accept results for, so make sure you always check their requirements.

Yes, the fastest way for you to get your exam results is to sign up for our FREE online results service. Your exam centre will give you the information you need to register for this service.

You can let employers, universities or other organisations check your results online.

Just send them your date of birth and the reference number, which can be found on your Certificate or Statement of Results and they can check your results quickly, easily and securely online at www.cambridgeenglish.org/verifiers.

Or you can share your results securely with the organisation via the Candidate Results Service.

Find out more about using the Candidate Results Service

Further information on results

Results enquiries and appeals
Malpractice
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