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PET: Cambridge English Preliminary
Who is it for?
Do this test if you want to know that you have an intermediate level of English. With this level of English you will enjoy holidays in English speaking countries. You should probably continue studying once you have passed the PET exam.
How much does it cost to take PET?
Fees are set by test centres.
What is the test like?
The test has these sections:
Reading and Writing - 1 hour and 3090 minutes
Listening - 30 minutes
Speaking - an interview, 10 - 12 minutes
There are two versions of the PET test:
PET
PET for Schools
Both versions have the same type of questions. The PET for schools test has content of interest to school-age learners.
PET scores
Your score is shown as a number between 0 and 100 which is converted from the total number of marks available in the exam. It is converted so that the score you need for each grade is the same every time the exam is taken. This is called a standardised score.
Your score will not be shown on your certificate.
When can I take the test?
Arrange with your closest test centre. The paper-based test can be taken 6 times a year. The computer-based test is available once a month.
Listening
Reading
Writing
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Time allowed: about 30 minutes
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Listening part 1: pictures with multiple choice questions
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Listening part 2: longer recording and multiple choice questions
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Listening part 3: complete notes
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Listening part 4: true/false
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Test 2 Listening part 1: pictures with multiple choice questions
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Test 2 Listening part 2: longer recording and multiple choice questions
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Test 2 Listening part 3: complete notes
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Test 2 Listening part 4: true/false
Reading and Writing are taken together - 1 hour and 30 minutes
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Reading part 1 ( multiple choice): Five very short texts. You have to read them and choose which of the three sentences is the best description of the text.
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Reading part 2 (matching): Five short descriptions of people and eight short texts to read. You have to match each person to a text.
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Reading part 3 (true/ false): A long text and ten sentences about the text. You have to read the text and say if each sentence is true or false.
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Reading part 4 (multiple choice): A long text and five questions. You have to read the text and choose the right answer (A, B, C or D) for each of the five questions.
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Reading part 5 (multiple choiche colze): A short text with ten numbered spaces. Each space represents a missing word and you have to choose the right answer from a choice of four (A, B, C or D).
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Writing part 1 (sentence transformations): Five questions which are all about the same theme. For each question there is one complete sentence and a second sentence which has a missing word or words. You have to complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first sentence.
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Writing part 2 (short communicative message): The instructions tell you who to write to and what you should write (a postcard, note, email, etc.).
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Writing part 3 (continuous writing): You have a choice of two questions: an informal letter or a story.
Speaking
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Time allowed: 10-12 minutes
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Normally you will do the speaking test with another candidate. The two of you will meet two examiners. One of the examiners will talk to you, the other does not participate in the conversations.
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There are three parts to the speaking test:
Speaking part 1: short questions and answers between you and the examiner
Speaking part 2: look at a visual and discuss it with the other candidate
Speaking part 3: you have a 'long turn' to speak about a photograph for one minute
Practice links
In this section you will find some links that it will of great help for each of the parts of the CAE and some others where you can practice all parts of the exam.