If you still have doubts after this summary, the complete guide is attached below.

To calculate the Cambridge English Scale (CES) score for the B1 Preliminary exam, the following steps are used:

1. Obtain Raw Scores for Each Component:
   • Each part of the exam—Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking—has specific maximum raw scores:
     • Reading: 32 points
     • Writing: Typically assessed on performance descriptors without a fixed point scale, but contributes proportionally to the CES.
     • Listening: 25 points
     • Speaking: Similarly assessed with performance descriptors, contributing proportionally.
2. Convert Raw Scores to Cambridge English Scale Scores:
   • Each raw score is converted into a CES score, reflecting a standard scale from 120 to 170 for the B1 level. Cambridge provides a conversion table to guide the translation of raw scores to CES scores for each skill. The exact scores vary per test but generally align with the CES range expected for B1.
3. Calculate Overall Score:
   • The CES scores from each component (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) are averaged to create a final overall CES score for the candidate. This overall score determines the candidate’s grade:
     • Grade A: CES score of 160–170 (equivalent to a high B1, with recognition of B2-level achievement)
     • Grade B: CES score of 153–159
     • Grade C: CES score of 140–152
     • A2 Level: CES score of 120–139 (indicates below B1 but within A2 level achievement)
4. Determine CEFR Level and Certificate:
   • Based on the overall CES score, the candidate’s CEFR level is determined:
     • Scores from 140 to 170 are awarded a B1 Preliminary certificate, with B2 recognition for scores above 160.
     • Scores between 120 and 139 receive an A2-level certificate.

This calculation method ensures that results reflect a standardized assessment of each skill, contributing to an accurate reflection of the candidate’s English proficiency at an intermediate level.

Cambridge English Scale conversion table

Here’s the Cambridge English Scale conversion table for the B1 Preliminary, which shows the range of practice test scores and their corresponding Cambridge English Scale scores and CEFR levels:

• Reading (32 possible marks):
  • 29 marks ≈ 160 CES (B2 level)
  • 23 marks ≈ 140 CES (B1 level)
  • 13 marks ≈ 120 CES (A2 level)
  • 5 marks ≈ 102 CES (below A2 level)
• Writing (40 possible marks):
  • 34 marks ≈ 160 CES (B2 level)
  • 24 marks ≈ 140 CES (B1 level)
  • 16 marks ≈ 120 CES (A2 level)
  • 10 marks ≈ 102 CES (below A2 level)
• Listening (25 possible marks):
  • 23 marks ≈ 160 CES (B2 level)
  • 18 marks ≈ 140 CES (B1 level)
  • 11 marks ≈ 120 CES (A2 level)
  • 5 marks ≈ 102 CES (below A2 level)
• Speaking (30 possible marks):
  • 27 marks ≈ 160 CES (B2 level)
  • 18 marks ≈ 140 CES (B1 level)
  • 12 marks ≈ 120 CES (A2 level)
  • 7 marks ≈ 102 CES (below A2 level)

Each skill’s raw score is converted to a CES score, and the overall CES score is the average of these scores across all skills​