PET Exam Syllabus #2023

The PET (Preliminary English Test) is an internationally recognized exam that measures English proficiency at the B1 level. This level is commonly referred to as intermediate, and it indicates that a person can use English to communicate in everyday situations. The PET exam assesses the four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In this article, we will provide a detailed overview of the PET exam syllabus to help you prepare for the test.

1. Reading and Writing:

The PET (Preliminary English Test) exam Reading and Writing section assesses a candidate's ability to comprehend and produce written English. The exam is designed to test a candidate's understanding of the main idea, details, and opinions presented in various types of written texts, such as articles, advertisements, letters, and stories. The Reading and Writing section is divided into five parts:

Part 1: Reading Comprehension (Multiple-choice)

In this part, candidates are presented with a short text followed by multiple-choice questions. The text may be a newspaper article, a brochure, or a notice. The candidate is expected to read the text and answer questions related to the content, vocabulary, and grammar used in the text.

Part 2: Reading Comprehension (Sentence Completion)

In this part, candidates are presented with a longer text with some sentences removed. The candidate is required to complete the missing sentences by choosing the correct option from a list of choices provided. This section tests the candidate's ability to understand the context and use appropriate vocabulary and grammar.

Part 3: Reading Comprehension (Multiple-choice)

In this part, candidates are presented with another short text followed by multiple-choice questions. The text may be a letter, an email, or an advertisement. The candidate is expected to read the text and answer questions related to the content, vocabulary, and grammar used in the text.

Part 4: Writing (Sentence Transformation)

In this part, candidates are given a sentence that needs to be rewritten according to the instructions provided. The instructions may include changing the sentence structure, using a particular word, or adding or removing a word. This section tests the candidate's ability to use appropriate grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.

Part 5: Writing (Short Essay)

In this part, candidates are required to write a short essay of about 100 words on a given topic. The topic may be related to everyday situations, such as work, travel, or leisure. The candidate is expected to express their opinion and support it with relevant reasons and examples. This section tests the candidate's ability to produce written English that is appropriate for a variety of purposes and audiences.

2. Listening:

The PET (Preliminary English Test) exam Listening section assesses a candidate's ability to understand spoken English. The exam is designed to test a candidate's ability to comprehend the main ideas, details, and opinions presented in various types of spoken texts, such as conversations, interviews, and monologues. The Listening section is divided into four parts:

Part 1: Listening Comprehension (Multiple-choice)

In this part, candidates are presented with a short conversation between two people followed by multiple-choice questions. The conversation may be related to everyday situations, such as ordering food at a restaurant or asking for directions. The candidate is expected to listen to the conversation and answer questions related to the content, vocabulary, and grammar used in the conversation.

Part 2: Listening Comprehension (Sentence Completion)

In this part, candidates are presented with a longer conversation with some sentences removed. The candidate is required to complete the missing sentences by choosing the correct option from a list of choices provided. This section tests the candidate's ability to understand the context and use appropriate vocabulary and grammar.

Part 3: Listening Comprehension (Multiple-choice)

In this part, candidates are presented with a monologue, such as a speech or a talk, followed by multiple-choice questions. The monologue may be related to a specific topic, such as the environment or technology. The candidate is expected to listen to the monologue and answer questions related to the content, vocabulary, and grammar used in the monologue.

Part 4: Listening Comprehension (Multiple-choice)

In this part, candidates are presented with another conversation between two people followed by multiple-choice questions. The conversation may be related to a specific topic, such as work or leisure. The candidate is expected to listen to the conversation and answer questions related to the content, vocabulary, and grammar used in the conversation.

3. Speaking:

The PET (Preliminary English Test) exam Speaking section assesses a candidate's ability to speak English in everyday situations. The exam is designed to test a candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts, such as making introductions, giving opinions, and describing experiences. The Speaking section is divided into four parts:

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this part, the examiner asks the candidate some basic questions to get to know them, such as their name, where they are from, and their hobbies. The candidate is expected to answer these questions using appropriate grammar and vocabulary.

Part 2: Individual Long Turn

In this part, the candidate is given a picture and a prompt to talk about for about one minute. The picture may be related to everyday situations, such as describing a place or an object. The candidate is expected to speak fluently and coherently, using appropriate grammar and vocabulary.

Part 3: Collaborative Task

In this part, the candidate and their partner are given a task to complete together, such as planning a day out or discussing a topic. The candidate is expected to interact with their partner, exchange information, and express their opinions using appropriate grammar and vocabulary.

Part 4: Discussion

In this part, the examiner asks the candidate some questions related to the topic of the Collaborative Task in Part 3. The candidate is expected to express their opinions, give reasons and examples, and interact with the examiner using appropriate grammar and vocabulary.

Overall:

The PET exam assesses a candidate's ability to use English in everyday situations. The exam is designed to test the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English. The exam covers a range of topics, including work, travel, and leisure, and assesses the candidate's ability to use English to express opinions, ask and answer questions, and participate in discussions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the PET exam syllabus is comprehensive and covers all aspects of the English language. To prepare for the exam, candidates should practice their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, and familiarize themselves with the types of tasks that they will encounter in the exam. With the right preparation and practice, candidates can achieve success on the PET exam and demonstrate their English proficiency to the world.

PET Exam Syllabus FAQ

Q: What is the PET exam?
A: The PET (Preliminary English Test) is a standardized English language exam designed to assess a candidate's ability to use English in everyday situations. It is one of the exams offered by Cambridge Assessment English and is recognized by many universities, employers, and governments around the world.

Q: What are the sections of the PET exam?
A: The PET exam consists of four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

Q: What is the duration of the PET exam?
A: The PET exam takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

Q: What is the format of the Reading section?
A: The Reading section of the PET exam consists of three parts, with a total of 35 questions. Part 1 is a multiple-choice exercise with 6 short texts, Part 2 is a matching exercise with 10 short texts and 10 summaries, and Part 3 is a longer text with 5 multiple-choice questions.

Q: What is the format of the Writing section?
A: The Writing section of the PET exam consists of two parts. Part 1 requires the candidate to write a short email or a message of about 35-45 words, while Part 2 requires the candidate to write a short essay of about 100 words.

Q: What is the format of the Listening section?
A: The Listening section of the PET exam consists of four parts, with a total of 25 questions. Part 1 and 4 are conversations between two people, Part 2 is a longer conversation with some sentences removed, and Part 3 is a monologue.

Q: What is the format of the Speaking section?
A: The Speaking section of the PET exam consists of four parts. Part 1 is an introduction and interview, Part 2 is an individual long turn, Part 3 is a collaborative task, and Part 4 is a discussion.

Q: What is the passing score for the PET exam?
A: The passing score for the PET exam is 160 out of 200. However, the score required for acceptance may vary depending on the institution or organization that requires the exam.

Q: How can I prepare for the PET exam?
A: There are many resources available to help you prepare for the PET exam, such as practice tests, textbooks, and online courses. Additionally, you can practice speaking and listening to English on a daily basis, watch English language movies or TV shows, and read English language books and articles.