What does Preliminary test?

Preliminary is the first of the levels to divide the language tested into separate skills: reading (including use of English), writing, listening, and speaking. The speaking is optional. It is also the first of the steps in the 10-step system to reach a Common European Framework of Reference level. It is A1. The new things tested at this level are:

About 400 more words (800 altogether, counting the 400 from previous levels)

Understanding and use of the past simple, regular and irregular verbs

Instructions and commands

Adjectives and modifiers, for descriptive and comparative purposes

Possession – expressions of ownership

Countable and uncountable things, quantifiers both positive and negative

What does the candidate have to do in their Preliminary exam?

Multiple choice questions

Fill in gaps

Answer questions

Write questions

Write sentences

Answer true/false questions

The student

has a basic active vocabulary of about 400 words

can communicate present and past events, recently completed actions and life experiences

can communicate where things are and when things happen

can express opposites, comparisons and ownership

can ask questions, answer questions, and write full sentences