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PET · Vocabulary at B1 Level · United Kingdom

Vocabulary at B1 Level for the PET Exam — UK candidates

10% of the PET test plan. Building a 2,500-word active vocabulary for B1 Preliminary, including topic vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and collocations. Calibrated for British candidates.

High-stakes exams reward two skills equally: knowledge and test-craft. This page focuses on both for one of the most failure-prone areas. Vocabulary at B1 Level sits at roughly 10% of the Cambridge Preliminary English Test (B1) content distribution — B1 vocabulary bridges everyday communication (A2) and more sophisticated expression (B2). Candidates at B1 need topic vocabulary for work, travel, education, media, and environment. Phrasal verbs and collocations are tested in the Reading/Writing and Speaking sections. 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.

  • !Knowing individual words but not their common collocations
  • !Confusing phrasal verbs with similar meanings: pick up/take up/bring up
  • !Limited vocabulary for abstract topics (opinions, advantages/disadvantages)

Study tips

  • 1Learn phrasal verbs in thematic groups: travel (check in, set off, get back), communication (bring up, call off, get through).
  • 2Practise the Cambridge B1 Preliminary vocabulary list, focusing on words new since A2 level.
  • 3Build opinion vocabulary: I think, In my opinion, It seems to me, One advantage is, On the other hand.
  • 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 Vocabulary 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

    Complete: "I'm really looking _____ to the holiday next month."

    • Aat
    • Bfor
    • CforwardCorrect
    • Dup
    Why this answer?

    "Look forward to" (phrasal verb) means to anticipate something with pleasure. "Looking forward to the holiday" is the correct collocated form. "Look at" = direct your gaze; "look for" = search; "look up" = check information or look upward.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between A2 and B1 vocabulary requirements?
A2 Key tests approximately 1,200 words focused on basic everyday communication. B1 Preliminary requires approximately 2,500 words, adding vocabulary for work, education, media, environment, technology, and expressing opinions and reasons.
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 Vocabulary at B1 Level for the PET?
For most candidates, focused mastery of Vocabulary 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 Vocabulary at B1 Level study with full-length mock exams in the final two weeks before your test date.

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