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PET · Grammar at B1 Level · United Kingdom

Grammar at B1 Level for the PET Exam — UK candidates

12% of the PET test plan. B1 grammar: past perfect, conditionals (1st and 2nd), relative clauses, passive voice, and reported speech. Calibrated for British candidates.

For candidates aiming to clear this exam on the first attempt, the difference between Band 6 and Band 7+ — or "passing" and "comfortable margin" — usually comes down to fluency on a small number of high-leverage topics. Grammar at B1 Level sits at roughly 12% of the Cambridge Preliminary English Test (B1) content distribution — B1 grammar goes significantly beyond A2. Candidates need first and second conditional sentences, relative clauses (who/which/that/where), passive constructions, and reported speech. These structures are tested in the Writing task and the open cloze section of Reading. Pass rates for the PET are published annually by the awarding body and vary by cohort and locale. For UK candidates preparing for PET, the calibration of study to local context matters: UK candidates often take exams for both domestic licensure (NMC, GMC) and migration purposes. IELTS UKVI is a separate, higher-stakes track.

Pass rates for PET (United Kingdom) are published periodically by the awarding body.

Common failure modes

These are the patterns that cause most candidates to lose marks on this topic. Recognising them in advance is half the work.

  • !Confusing first conditional (if + present → will) with second conditional (if + past → would)
  • !Omitting the relative pronoun or using the wrong one (who for people, which for things)
  • !Incorrect tense shift in reported speech (say/tell + that + past form)

Study tips

  • 1Drill conditional sentences daily: 5 first conditional (real/possible) and 5 second conditional (hypothetical).
  • 2Practice relative clauses by combining two sentences: "I met a teacher. She speaks five languages." → "I met a teacher who speaks five languages."
  • 3For reported speech, memorize the tense backshift: present → past, past → past perfect, will → would.
  • 4In the UK, PET schedules and reschedules align with state holiday calendars and post-Brexit fee adjustments — confirm pricing on the awarding body's site before booking.

Sample PET Grammar at B1 Level questions

These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real PET questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.

  1. 1

    If I _____ more time, I would learn Spanish.

    • Ahave
    • BhadCorrect
    • Cwill have
    • Dwould have
    Why this answer?

    "If I had more time, I would learn Spanish" is a second conditional sentence expressing a hypothetical/unreal situation. The if-clause uses the past simple (had), and the main clause uses would + infinitive.

  2. 2

    The book _____ by a local author last year.

    • Awas writtenCorrect
    • Bwrote
    • Chas written
    • Dis writing
    Why this answer?

    "Was written" is the past simple passive, appropriate for a completed action in the past where the focus is on the book, not the author. "Last year" confirms past simple is needed.

Frequently asked questions

How is grammar assessed in B1 Preliminary?
Grammar is assessed indirectly throughout all four skills. Most directly, the Reading Part 5 (multiple-choice cloze) and Part 6 (open cloze) test grammar in context. The Writing task (email) and Speaking test both assess grammatical range and accuracy.
What is the PET pass rate for British candidates?
Pass rates for PET candidates in United Kingdom are published periodically by the awarding body. Practice questions, full-length simulations, and weak-area drills are the highest-impact way to improve your odds.
How long should British candidates study Grammar at B1 Level for the PET?
For most candidates, focused mastery of Grammar at B1 Level requires 20–40 hours of deliberate practice — drilling sample questions, reviewing failure modes, and timing yourself against exam conditions. UK candidates often take exams for both domestic licensure (NMC, GMC) and migration purposes. IELTS UKVI is a separate, higher-stakes track. Combine Grammar at B1 Level study with full-length mock exams in the final two weeks before your test date.

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