Preliminary English Test


PET is the second level Cambridge ESOL exam. It is an intermediate level exam, at Level B1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. If you can deal with everyday written and spoken communications (e.g. read simple textbooks and articles, write simple personal letters, make notes during a meeting), then this is the exam for you.
PET is taken by more than 80,000 people each year in more than 80 countries, and is a valuable qualification if you want to work or study abroad or to develop a career in international business. It is also useful preparation for higher level exams, such as FCE (First Certificate in English), CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) and CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English).


Why take PET?

Studying for PET is a popular way to improve your language skills and use them in a wide range of contexts. PET covers the four main language skills - reading, writing, listening and speaking, using material from real life situations. It provides evidence of practical skills, and indicates sufficient ability to be of practical use in clerical, secretarial and managerial jobs, and in many industries, such as tourism, where contact with English speakers is required.
If you are successful, you will receive a certificate from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. The certificate is recognised by employers in many countries, and recognised by universities in some countries as an initial qualification in English.
You will also receive a statement of results, showing how you have performed in each of the three papers.


What does the exam involve?

PET has three papers:
• Reading and Writing
• Listening
• Speaking

Each paper is returned to Cambridge for marking and assessment, except the Speaking Test, which is conducted by two locally based examiners who examine candidates face to face. All examiners are accredited by Cambridge ESOL.
Reading and Writing (Paper 1), 1 hour 30 minutes
The Reading and Writing paper assesses your ability to read and understand texts taken from signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. You should be able to understand the main messages and the effect they may have on a reader, and be able to deal with words and structures you do not know.
The Writing component includes a sentence transformation task, a short communicative message addressing three points, and in Part 3 you have the choice of either an informal letter or a story. In Part 3 you must write approximately 100 words, demonstrating both ambition and control of structure, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation.
Listening (Paper 2), 35 minutes (approx.)
The Listening paper assesses your ability to understand recorded material such as public announcements and dialogues. You should be able to understand the factual information in the recordings, and assess the attitudes and intentions of the speakers.
Speaking (Paper 3), 10-12 minutes
The Speaking Test assesses your ability to interact in conversational English with an examiner and with another candidate. You need to be able to answer and ask questions about yourself and to talk freely about what you like and do not like.
How to register
To register for the exam, you need to contact an authorised Cambridge ESOL exam centre - entries cannot be made directly to Cambridge. The centre will give you full information about the fees for taking PET, the dates of the tests and other arrangements.
Many candidates take a preparation course before entering for the exam. If you are studying English at the moment, speak to your teacher about preparing for PET. If you are not studying at the moment, your nearest Cambridge ESOL exam centre will be able to advise you.
If you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) it may be possible to ask for Special Arrangements to be made when taking the exam.


Results

Each skill carries 25% of the total marks. There are two pass grades (Pass with merit and Pass) and certificates are awarded to candidates who achieve these grades. Candidates who achieve a grade Narrow Fail or Fail are judged not to have reached the required standard for PET.
Exam scripts are sent to Cambridge ESOL for marking and grading and the results are sent back to the centres. For reasons of confidentiality, Cambridge ESOL does not give results to individual students or publish them on the website. If you have any questions about your results, you should contact the centre where you took the exam.
Once awarded Cambridge ESOL PET certificates are valid for life.