Final Exit Test

General PET edition

Cambridge B1 Preliminary — Exit Test

A full-length, authentic-format assessment of every paper in the PET exam. Sit it like the real test, then compare with the teacher answer keys and readiness descriptors in Teacher Notes.

≈ 2 hr 15 min total Authentic Cambridge format Answer keys in Teacher Mode

Paper 1 · Reading

45 minutes · 6 parts · 32 questions

Part 1

Short notices, signs and messages

Questions 1–5. Read each short text. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B or C.

Escalator out of order
Please use the lift or stairs to the right of the entrance.

1What should shoppers do?

Sam14:02

Don't bring the umbrella — forecast changed, it's going to be sunny all afternoon. Bring a hat instead!

2Sam is writing to…

Bike Hire · Special Offer

Hire 3 days, pay for 2.

Helmet included. Book online before 30 June.

3What does the offer say?

From: Reception

Subject: Tomorrow's training

Please note: tomorrow's training will take place in Room B2 (not B1 as printed). Coffee from 9:00, start 9:30.

4The message tells staff that…

Library · New Rule

Food is not allowed in the reading rooms. Drinks in covered bottles are permitted.

5What can readers bring into the reading rooms?

Part 2

Matching: 5 people ↔ 8 short texts

Questions 6–10. The five people below all want to book a weekend course. Decide which course (A–H) would be most suitable. There are three extra courses you will not need.

6. Marta

Wants something physical and outdoors, no equipment to buy. Available Sunday only.

7. Daniel

Loves food, doesn't drive, needs a course within the city centre.

8. Priya

Beginner photographer. Wants feedback from a teacher, not just a video tutorial.

9. Lukas

Studying for exams — needs something relaxing on Saturday morning, ideally creative.

10. Zoe

Free both days. Wants to meet new people and try a team activity for the first time.

Weekend course adverts

ASunday City Run — guided 8 km route, trainers only, meet 9 a.m.

BOnline Photo Course — pre-recorded weekly videos, no live tutor.

CBeginner Photo Workshop — Sat afternoon, small group, tutor feedback on every shot.

DPottery Saturday — calm studio session, 10–12, all materials supplied.

EStreet-Food Tour — Sat evening, 5 stops, central market area, no driving needed.

FForest Mountain Bike — own bike required, 60 km outside town.

GWeekend Football League — both days, mixed teams, perfect for newcomers.

HCountry Cookery Retreat — 40 minutes by car, both days, residential.

Part 3

Longer text — multiple choice

Questions 11–15. Read the article and choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

My year as a city cycle courier — by Nora Pinto

When I quit my office job to deliver parcels by bike, my parents were horrified. They thought I would be cold, exhausted and broke within a month. Twelve months on, I am two of those things — but the money has actually been the easy part.

What surprised me most wasn't the traffic, it was the loneliness. Office life had been noisy and a bit boring, but I always had someone to share a coffee with. As a courier you wave at other riders, exchange a sentence at traffic lights, and that's it. I now understand why so many of us spend our breaks together in the same café — it isn't the coffee, it's the conversation.

Would I recommend the job? Only if you genuinely enjoy being outside in every kind of weather. The fitness is a bonus, the freedom is real, but the work is repetitive. After a year I have decided to stay — for now. Ask me again in winter.

11What did Nora's parents worry about?

12What surprised Nora most about the job?

13Why do couriers meet in the same café?

14What does Nora think of the work overall?

15What can we say about Nora's future plans?

Part 4

Gapped text — 5 missing sentences

Questions 16–20. Five sentences have been removed from the text below. Choose from sentences A–H the one which fits each gap. There are three extra sentences you will not need.

The town that turned off its street lights

For most of the twentieth century, the small town of Halden lit its streets all night. [16] Last year, the council decided to try something different.

Between midnight and five in the morning, almost every lamp on the residential streets would now be switched off. [17] Many residents were nervous, especially older neighbours who were used to walking the dog late.

Six months in, the results have surprised even the planners. [18] Bird populations in the central park have grown, and people have started gathering at the new "stargazing point" by the river.

Crime, contrary to expectations, has not increased. [19] A small number of streets near the station have kept dim lighting, as a compromise.

Halden is not the first town to try this — but it may be the first to admit, publicly, that it was a relief. [20]

AEnergy bills have dropped by almost 40%.
BThe change was announced six weeks in advance.
CThe mayor has already received calls from three other councils.
DOfficials say reported incidents are roughly the same as before.
EMost residents now keep a small torch by the door.
FLike most towns, it had never really questioned the habit.
GTourists from the capital come to photograph the dark sky.
HThe new café on Market Street opens at 7 every morning.

Part 5

Multiple-choice cloze

Questions 21–26. For each gap choose the best word A, B, C or D.

21Maya has made huge ___ in her Spanish this year.

22We need to ___ a decision before Friday.

23The film was ___ on a true story.

24I'm not ___ of his name — sorry.

25She ___ a lot of time helping new students.

26Could you ___ the volume down, please?

Part 6

Open cloze — one word per gap

Questions 27–32. Read the email and write ONE word for each gap. Contractions count as one word.

From: kara@quickmail.com · Subject: Saturday

Hi Tom,

Thanks ²⁷ the message yesterday. I'm really looking forward ²⁸ meeting your cousin on Saturday — it's been ages ²⁹ I last saw her.

We could meet at the café ³⁰ the corner of Park Street, the one ³¹ serves those huge waffles. Let me know ³² that works for you.

Kara

Paper 2 · Writing

45 minutes · 2 parts

Part 1

Email — about 100 words

Read this email from your English friend Jamie and the notes you have made. Write your reply, using ALL the notes. Write about 100 words.

From: Jamie · Subject: My visit

Hi! Great news — I'm coming to your town next month for a long weekend. I can't wait to see you! Which days should I come? What's the weather like at the moment, so I know what to pack? Is there one place you really want to take me? And can you book somewhere nice for dinner on the Saturday?

See you soon,
Jamie

✏️ Suggest — Fri to Sun
✏️ Tell — weather right now
✏️ Recommend — one place
✏️ Reply — yes, will book!

Part 2

Choose ONE — Article OR Story · about 100 words

Choose Question 2 OR Question 3. Write your answer in about 100 words.

Question 2 — Article

Your school magazine has asked for articles on this topic:

"The best way for young people to make new friends today."

Write your article. Give your opinion and explain why.

Question 3 — Story

Your English teacher has asked you to write a story that begins:

"As soon as I opened the door, I knew something was different."

Write your story.

Paper 3 · Listening

≈30 minutes · 4 parts · 25 questions

Part 1

Multiple choice with pictures

Questions 1–7. For each question, you will hear a short recording. Choose the correct picture A, B or C. You will hear each recording twice.

Part 1 · 7 short recordings

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

1What did the woman buy?

2Where is the man going?

3What time does the train leave?

4What's the weather like now?

5Which sport will they do on Sunday?

6What did the boy forget?

7Which jumper does the girl prefer?

Part 2

Longer monologues — multiple choice

Questions 8–13. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B or C. You will hear each recording twice.

Part 2 · 6 longer recordings

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

8You hear a chef talking about her new restaurant. What does she say is most important?

9You hear a student talking about a school trip. How did he feel about it?

10You hear a radio announcement about a festival. What is new this year?

11You hear two friends discussing a book. They agree that…

12You hear a man phoning a shop. What does he want to do?

13You hear a coach talking to a young athlete. He advises her to…

Part 3

Note completion — write 1 or 2 words / a number

Questions 14–19. You will hear a young woman talking about a summer camp she went to. For each question, write the missing information.

Part 3 · Summer camp talk

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

Brookline Summer Camp

Lake District Speaker's notes

14 Length of the camp: ¹⁴ weeks
15 Speaker's main activity: ¹⁵
16 She shared a cabin with ¹⁶ other girls.
17 Favourite meal of the day: ¹⁷
18 She most enjoyed the trip to the ¹⁸.
19 Camp T-shirt colour next year will be ¹⁹.

Part 4

Interview — multiple choice

Questions 20–25. You will hear an interview with a young illustrator. Choose A, B or C.

Part 4 · Interview with an illustrator

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

20Why did Theo first start illustrating?

21How does he find new ideas?

22What does he find most difficult about his job?

23What does he say about his first published book?

24His advice to young artists is to…

25What is he planning next?

Paper 4 · Speaking

10–12 minutes per pair · 4 parts

Part 1

Personal interview · 2 min

Examiner asks each candidate factual questions about themselves. Candidates answer in 1–2 sentences.

Examiner script

What's your name, and where are you from?
Do you work or study? Tell me about it.
What did you do last weekend?
Now, [Candidate B] — tell me about something you really enjoy doing in your free time. (≈30 seconds)

Part 2

Photograph description · ≈1 minute each

Each candidate describes ONE colour photograph for about a minute. Talk about what you can see and what people are doing.

Useful language

In the photo I can see… · In the background… · It looks like… · They seem to be… · I think they're… · Maybe they're going to…

Part 3

Collaborative task · ≈2–3 min

The examiner gives both candidates a task with visual prompts. Talk together to reach a decision.

Examiner: A friend is moving to a new city alone for the first time. Here are some things that could help him settle in. Talk together about how useful each one is, and decide which TWO would help him most.

Visual prompt — discuss each option

Joining a sports club

Volunteering at a charity

Taking a language class

Calling family every day

Saying yes to every invitation

Part 4

Opinion discussion · ≈3 min

The examiner asks broader questions linked to the Part 3 topic. Candidates discuss together and with the examiner.

Examiner questions

Is it easier or harder to make friends as an adult? Why?
Do you think online friendships can be as close as real-life ones?
How important is it to keep in touch with old friends?
Some people say big cities are lonelier than small towns. Do you agree?

Your readiness band & what to do next

Not Yet Ready

≤ 119 / Cambridge Scale

Significant gaps across one or more papers. Recommend retaking key Exam Review Labs before booking the exam.

Nearly Ready

120–139

Almost there. Focus on the weakest paper and re-attempt a Mock Exam within 2–3 weeks.

Exam Ready

140–159 (PET Pass)

Comfortably within passing range across all four papers. Book the exam with confidence.

Strong Pass Potential

160–170 (Merit / Distinction)

Performing above the pass band — capable of Merit or B2-level Distinction. Consider FCE next.

Finished? Re-take the Readiness Check to see how far you've come.

Go to Readiness Check