The Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) Speaking exam can feel a bit daunting, but with the right preparation and mindset, you’ll be able to approach it with confidence. The test is designed to assess your ability to communicate in real-life situations, and it’s divided into four parts. Here’s a breakdown of each part, along with some tips to help you perform your best.
Part 1: Personal Questions (2 minutes)
This is the introductory part of the exam where you and your speaking partner will each have a short conversation with the examiner. The questions will be about personal topics like your family, hobbies, studies, or your hometown. It’s a chance for you to warm up and get comfortable speaking in English.
Tips:
- Keep it simple but clear: You don’t need to give long, complicated answers. Focus on answering clearly and confidently.
- Prepare for common topics: Think about how you would answer typical questions about your daily life, interests, or past experiences.
- Show interest: Smile, maintain good posture, and listen carefully to the examiner’s questions.
Part 2: Describing a Photo (3 minutes)
Here, you will each have a chance to describe a photo individually. The photo could show people doing everyday activities like shopping, working, or having a meal. Your job is to describe what you see in detail for about a minute.
Tips:
- Structure your description: Start by describing the setting, then the people, and finally what they’re doing. This helps you stay organised.
- Speculate if needed: You can’t always be certain about what’s happening in the photo, so it’s okay to say things like “They might be…” or “It looks like…”.
- Don’t rush: Take your time, speak clearly, and try to give as much detail as you can.
If you want to better prepare for this part of the exam then check out Aurelia’s episode about B1 picture description on the podcast!
Part 3: Collaborative Task (4 minutes)
In this part, you’ll be given a task to complete with your partner. Usually, it involves discussing a situation or solving a problem, like planning an event or deciding what to take on a trip. The focus here is on communication, so you’re not expected to "win" or dominate the conversation.
Tips:
- Work as a team: Make sure to involve your partner in the discussion by asking their opinion and agreeing or politely disagreeing with them.
- Use phrases to keep the conversation going: Phrases like “What do you think?” or “I agree with you” can help make the discussion smoother.
- Don’t panic: If you get stuck, take a moment to think. The examiners aren’t expecting perfection—just good communication skills.
Part 4: Questions about a topic (3 minutes)
In the final part of the speaking exam you will be expected to answer questions about a topic. The topic is usually related to the theme of discussion in part 3. For example, if you had to discuss what items would be the most important to take with you on a holiday, then the questions would probably be about holidays or travel.
Tips:
- Keep your answers clear: don’t waffle on and keep what you say relevant to the questions being asked.
- Give detail: At the same time of keeping responses relevant you need to give more than a one word response, here you are being tested on your ability to discuss and talk about topics so make sure your answers are of a decent length.
- Maintain interest: It can be difficult to remain focused after speaking for so long but it’s key to remain consistent across the exam to get the best mark!
Final Thoughts
Remember, the key to success in the PET Speaking exam is to communicate effectively, not to be perfect. Practise speaking English as much as possible before the test, and during the exam, stay calm, listen carefully, and do your best to interact naturally with both your partner and the examiner.
Good luck!
If you want to practise a part of the speaking exam at home then take a look at the speaking questions in the PDF and practise with a friend.
If you’re interested in improving your English and potentially sitting a B1 exam in the near future then check out the many courses on the Daway website. Use the code BLOG20 for a 20% discount on any courses on the website!
