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Nowadays, learning English is far too important to put off, both for professional reasons and for pleasure. And for professional and academic reasons there is a range of English exams that certify your level. Who hasn’t heard of the famous «B1 in English»? Or of the increasingly well-known «B2» and «C1»? If you are a student, or the parent of a student, you surely know what I mean.
Many people ask to be prepared for «the Cambridge B1» or «the Trinity B1», and here an important clarification is needed: neither Cambridge nor Trinity owns B1. In fact, we can say that B1 is not an English exam. And the same goes for the rest: A1, A2, B2, C1 and C2. In this guide I explain what B1 actually is, what is expected of a person at that level, which exams certify it (the most common ones in Spain), how Cambridge results relate to the levels and how to choose which exam to take. Let’s get started! 🙂
What is B1 English?
We already know that B1 is not an exam. So what is it? It’s very simple: when we talk about B1 (or A2, B2, C1…) we are not talking about an exam, but about a level of language proficiency in any language, not just English. These levels are defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), a document of the Council of Europe that, among many other things, describes different levels of mastery of a language. There are no official exams written by the Council of Europe for these levels: other organisations design their own exams and relate them to the framework.
| Group | Level | Name in the CEFR |
|---|---|---|
| Basic user | A1 | Breakthrough |
| Basic user | A2 | Waystage |
| Independent user | B1 | Threshold |
| Independent user | B2 | Vantage |
| Proficient user | C1 | Effective operational proficiency |
| Proficient user | C2 | Mastery |
What is expected of a person at B1
Although the full description is much more detailed, this is the global summary the CEFR gives of B1. A person at this level is a so-called independent user, and the following is expected of them:
- They can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
- They can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
- They can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
- They can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Source: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, common reference levels (global scale).
In practical terms: with B1 you can hold a conversation about your daily life, write a simple email, understand the gist of a news item or a film with clear language, and handle almost any travel situation. What is still hard is understanding fast conversations between native speakers, expressing nuance or writing precisely about abstract topics: that is B2 and beyond.
Who certifies English levels?
As we have seen, B1 or B2 only describe levels of proficiency. So what are the «Cambridge B1», the «Trinity B1» or the «B1 from the Official School of Languages»? They are simply level exams that confirm and certify whether a student has that level or not. There are plenty of regional, national and international organisations dedicated to certifying English levels. At national level, for example, the Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI) issues official qualifications in several languages. Internationally there are, among others, Cambridge, Trinity College London and LanguageCert.
These are the B1 exams you are most likely to come across:
| Organisation | B1 level exam | What you should know |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | B1 Preliminary (PET) | The best-known B1 exam worldwide. It tests the four skills and, depending on your score, certifies from A2 up to B2. |
| Trinity College London | ISE I (Integrated Skills in English I) | Trinity’s B1 exam. It tests the four skills, with a reading and writing paper and a speaking and listening test. |
| LanguageCert | B1 Achiever | A B1 exam taken on a computer (the speaking part is an online interview). |
| Oxford | Oxford Test of English | An online four-skill exam that certifies levels A2, B1 and B2. |
| Cambridge | Linguaskill | An adaptive online test that gives you your level on the CEFR scale. |
| Official Schools of Languages | Intermediate Level B1 certificate | The certification test of the EOI network. It is an official Spanish qualification. |
In Granada there are also the exams of the Centro de Lenguas Modernas of the University of Granada (CLM), which is part of ACLES, the association of language centres in higher education. If you need it for university, check on its website which levels and dates each exam session offers.
All these organisations have designed and promoted their own exams and have got them recognised by different official and private bodies. That is why it is important that, before taking an English exam, you find out whether it is accepted and recognised in the field or by the organisation you will present your certificate to (your university, your employer, a competitive exam, a grant…).
A Cambridge B1: what it really certifies
A detail that surprises many people: the Cambridge B1 Preliminary exam doesn’t only certify B1. Depending on your score on the Cambridge scale, the certificate states one level or another:
| Score on the Cambridge scale | Level certified |
|---|---|
| 160 – 170 (Grade A) | B2 |
| 140 – 159 (Grade B or C) | B1 |
| 120 – 139 | A2 |
| Below 120 | no certificate |
In other words, if you score very high you can leave with a B2 certificate, and if you score low, with an A2. I explain it in depth in my post on what score you need to pass your Cambridge English exam. And a useful fact: Cambridge certificates don’t expire, although a university or a company may set its own validity period for accepting them.
Which B1 exam should I choose?
There is no exam that is better than another in the abstract: it depends on what you want it for. These five questions will help you decide:
- Who is asking for it? Your university, your employer or the competitive exam usually publish a list of accepted certificates. It is the first thing to check.
- How long does it need to be valid? Some bodies only accept recent certificates.
- How do I prefer to take it? On paper or on a computer, with the speaking test in person or by video call.
- When and where are the sessions? Dates and centres change. For Cambridge, see my guide to Cambridge exam centres in Spain.
- How much does it cost and how much preparation do I need? The most expensive exam isn’t the best: it is the one you will pass first time.
If you are torn specifically between Cambridge and the EOI, you have my comparison Cambridge vs EOI.
How to know whether you have B1
Before choosing an exam, it helps to know where you are starting from. These are the signs that you are approaching B1:
- You understand the gist of what people say if they speak slowly and clearly.
- You can tell what you did at the weekend or your holiday plans without freezing.
- You can write an email or a message of around 100 words with a couple of mistakes, but that is understood.
- You read simple news and understand what it is about without translating every word.
If you meet most of them, the most practical thing is to take a B1 practice exam and see how it goes. To prepare, you have my guide to B1 Preliminary Writing and the best books to prepare for B1 Preliminary.
Frequently asked questions about B1 English
Is B1 the same as PET?
No. B1 is the level; PET (now B1 Preliminary) is a Cambridge exam that can certify that level. Other exams also certify it.
Which B1 exam is the easiest?
None of them is «the easy one»: they all measure the same level with different formats. Some suit you better (for example, if you prefer to take it on a computer). What matters is that it is recognised where you need it.
Which B1 certificate is valid for university?
It depends on each university. They usually accept certificates from Cambridge, Trinity, the EOI and the ACLES bodies, but you must check the official list of your university before you register.
Does B1 expire?
The level doesn’t expire. Cambridge certificates don’t either, but whoever asks for them may require them to be recent. For other exams, check their validity policy.
Is B1 intermediate level?
Yes: B1 is usually called «intermediate» (at the EOI, «Intermediate Level B1»). The next one, B2, is also called «intermediate» in some places, and in the European framework it is called «vantage», so always check the letter and the number.
Conclusion
To sum up in three ideas: B1 is a level, not an exam (it is defined by the CEFR); Cambridge, Trinity, LanguageCert, Oxford or EOI exams certify it, each with its own format; and before choosing an exam, check who is asking for it and which certificates they accept.
Do you have any questions about B1 or about which exam suits you? Write to me and I’ll help you decide. And if you already know you want a Cambridge exam, have a look at the guide to the Cambridge English exams.
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See you in the next post. Until then, don’t forget to keep smiling! 🙂
