LanguageCert International ESOL
B1 Achiever
Written (Listening, Reading, Writing) and Spoken (Speaking) exams in English, aligned to the B1 level of the CEFR*. Exams are delivered through our global network of Test Centres or online.
About LanguageCert International ESOL B1:
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Leads to two separate certificates: Written and Spoken
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Both exams can be taken together or independently of each other
Written exam:
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Paper-based/computer-based at approved Test Centres or Online with remote, live proctoring
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Duration 2 hours 40 minutes
Spoken exam:
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Face-to-face or Online with a live interlocutor
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Duration 12 minutes
At B1 level, candidates can:
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convey information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics (family, work, school, travel and leisure)
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engage in discussion to reach shared understanding
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produce simple, connected texts
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describe experiences, events, hopes and ambitions
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understand simple magazines/newspaper articles
Key features
Exam Level
Exam Format
Pass Mark
Skills
Grade Boundaries
B1
Written (Paper-based, Computer-based) or Online with live proctoring
Spoken (Face-to-face or Online live interlocutor)
Written: 50% (75/150)
Spoken: 50% (25/50)
Written (Listening, Reading, Writing)
Spoken (Speaking)
Candidate are awarded High Pass, Pass or Fail
High Pass
101-150/150 (Written)
38-50/50 (Spoken)
Pass
75-100/150 (Written)
25-37/50 (Spoken)
Fail
0-74/150 (Written)
0-24/50 (Spoken)
Exam format
Listening: 30 minutes
Reading & Writing: 130 minutes
Speaking: 12 minutes
LISTENING
Part 1: 7 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task: Listen twice to 7 short sentences between 2 speakers, 1 being a formal conversation
Part 2: 6 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task: Listen twice to 3 short conversations between 2 speakers to identify: topic, purpose, context, speakers, gist, relationship between speakers, roles, functions, attitudes, feeling and opinions. Choose the appropriate response for each question
Part 3: 7 questions (write notes on the message pad based on the information in the recording)
Task:
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Listen twice to the recording to identify specific information
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Jot down answers consisting of 1 to 3 words
Part 4: 6 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task:
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Listen twice to a discussion to identify gist, examples, fact, opinion, contrast, purpose, key ideas, attitude, cause and effect
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Choose the appropriate response for each question
READING
Part 1: 5 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task:
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5 short texts each with 1 gap testing layout, lexis, cohesive devices, coherence
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Choose the appropriate response for each question
Part 2: 6 multiple choice options to fill in an incomplete text (1 option is a distractor)
Task:
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Choose the appropriate sentence for each gap in the text
Part 3: 7 questions (4 texts provide the answers to 7 questions)
Task:
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Read the 4 short texts, e.g. email, article, advert, etc. and choose which text answers which question
Part 4: 8 questions (requiring short answers of 1 to 3 words)
Task:
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A continuous text: narrative, descriptive, expository, biographical, instructive
WRITING
Part 1: 70 - 100 words (respond appropriately to a given text in order to produce a formal response for an intended public audience)
Task: Write a response to a letter, poster, diary, timetable, leaflet, etc for a specified reader addressing a clearly defined number of content points
Part 2: 100 - 120 words (produce an informal letter to a friend)
Task: Write a letter on a given topic of personal interest and include 2 functions e.g. invite a friend to stay, describe what you will do
SPEAKING
Part 1:
Task:
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Give and spell name
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State country of origin
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Answer 5 questions
Part 2:
Task:
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2 or 3 situations are presented by the interlocutor
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Candidates are expected to respond to questions and initiate interactions
Part 3:
Task: Hold a short discussion to make a plan, arrange or decide something using visual prompts
Part 4:
Task:
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Candidates are given 30 seconds preparation time
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Talk about a topic provided by the interlocutor for 1 and a half a minute
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Answer follow-up questions