How to Choose Between PET and B2 First: Score Band Overlaps, Difficulty Differences, and How to Determine Which Exam Your Child Should Take

PET (B1 Preliminary) and B2 First are adjacent levels in the Cambridge English exams: PET corresponds to CEFR B1, and B2 First corresponds to B2. Just like KET and PET, the score ranges for these two exams overlap. The key to choosing between them depends on your child's current proficiency level. This article, based on the scoring regulations and official conversion guide published on the Cambridge English website, clarifies the relationship between the two and provides selection advice. For detailed introductions to both exams, see How to Take the PET and How to Take the B2 First.

1. The Score Ranges of the Two Exams Overlap

According to the official website, PET targets B1 but can also reliably assess the higher B2 level; B2 First targets B2 but can also reliably assess the lower B1 level. Results for both exams are reported on the Cambridge English Scale:

Three key points can be seen from the table:

• Students already at the B2 level can earn a B2 certificate by taking PET (Grade A), but PET only reports scores up to 170, so higher proficiency cannot be reflected;
• Students still at the B1 level can earn a B1 certificate by taking B2 First, but they will not receive an A, B, or C grade for B2 First;
• The difference is greatest for students at the A2 level: taking PET will still earn them an A2 certificate, whereas taking B2 First will only yield a Statement of Results with no certificate.

2. Where Does the Difficulty Differ?

A detailed comparison of the two exams is provided in Article 254. Here, we only list the points that most affect your choice:

• An additional "Use of English" section: B2 First scores are divided into five parts—Reading, Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking—each accounting for 20%. Use of English tests word formation, key sentence transformations, etc., which are not tested in PET;
• Longer and more formal writing: PET requires two texts of about 100 words each; B2 First requires two texts of 140–190 words each, with the first being an argumentative essay;
• Longer test duration: PET takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes, while B2 First takes about 3.5 hours;
• Higher speaking requirements: PET involves describing a single photo, while B2 First requires comparing two photos and making a joint decision with a partner.

3. Assess Proficiency Using Official Practice Tests

Cambridge has provided a conversion table to estimate Scale scores using official practice tests. By taking one set of each practice test and comparing the scores below, you can get a rough idea of where your child stands:

According to official guidelines, this table applies only to official practice tests and is for reference only; it cannot accurately predict actual exam scores. For scores near the cutoff (within about 3 Scale points), it is recommended to continue improving before making a decision. Additionally, all sections carry equal weight, and the overall score is the average of the sections, so it is not required to meet the minimum score in every section.

4. How to Choose

Below are practical recommendations based on the official guidelines mentioned above:

There are a few more points to consider:

• Purpose: The official website states that B2 First can be used to apply for foundation, pathway, or language courses in English-speaking countries, as well as English-taught undergraduate programs in non-English-speaking countries. Schools and institutions may also require specific overall or section scores. If you have clear university admissions or program requirements, check first which exam and what scores are required;
• Photos: Taking B2 First (adult version) requires a photo; it is optional for B2 First for Schools, but the official website recommends providing one if the results will be used for university admissions, employment, or visas;
• Versions: Both exams have a for Schools version and a standard version, with the same levels and formats (the writing tasks differ slightly between the two B2 First versions). Enrolled students generally choose the for Schools version (practical recommendation);
• Timing: Computer-based test results are usually available 5–10 working days after the exam, while paper-based test results take about 4–6 weeks. If you plan to take PET first and then B2 First, allow time for results and to address any weak areas;
• Certificates do not expire: Cambridge English certificates do not expire, so a previously earned PET certificate remains valid indefinitely (though institutions may decide for themselves how old the results can be).

Conclusion

The score ranges for PET and B2 First overlap: if your child is at the B2 level, they can earn a B2 certificate by taking PET, but the maximum score reported is 170; if they are still at the B1 level, they can earn a B1 certificate by taking B2 First, but they will not receive a grade for it; if they are only at the A2 level, taking B2 First will not yield a certificate. The key to choosing is your child's current proficiency—have them take one set of each official practice test, compare the scores using the conversion table, and factor in their Use of English and Writing skills. If you want to find out which exam is best for your child, you can book a free assessment with us or check out our PET training.

Verification note: This article was verified in September 2026: The Cambridge English Scale scores, grades, and CEFR alignments for PET and B2 First, the score ranges that do not result in a certificate, the statement that both exams can reliably assess the level above or below, the possibility that schools and institutions may require specific scores or grades, the photo requirements for B2 First, result release times, and the non-expiration of certificates are from the Cambridge English website's results information page; the use of B2 First for foundation and English-taught undergraduate programs is from the B2 First overview page on the official website; the duration, paper formats, and writing requirements for both exams have been verified in Articles 248 and 254 on this site; the conversion table for practice test scores to Scale scores, equal weighting of sections, and the lack of a minimum score requirement per section are from Cambridge's "The Cambridge English Scale explained: A guide to converting practice test scores" (2023 edition). The recommendations in the "How to Choose" section and the version selection advice are our practical recommendations.

References:

• Cambridge English：Results
• Cambridge English：B1 Preliminary for Schools and B1 Preliminary
• Cambridge English：B2 First for Schools and B2 First
• Cambridge English：Converting practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores（PDF）