100+ Free PEIC A1 Practice Questions
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You hear: "That will be five pounds fifty, please." What is the speaker asking for?
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Key Facts: PEIC A1 Exam
PEIC A1 Foundation (formerly PTE General) is Pearson's entry-level CEFR A1 English certificate, an integrated four-skills test scored out of 100 (75 written, 25 spoken) that proves you can handle basic everyday English and never expires.
Sample PEIC A1 Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your PEIC A1 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A shop assistant says: "Can I help you?" What is the most natural reply?
2You hear: "Two coffees, please." Where are the speakers most likely to be?
3Someone says to you: "Nice to meet you." What is the best response?
4You hear an announcement: "The train to Paris leaves from platform four." Where does the Paris train leave from?
5A friend asks: "How are you?" Which reply is correct?
6You hear: "Turn left at the bank, then go straight on." What is the speaker doing?
7A waiter says: "Are you ready to order?" What is the waiter's job?
8You hear: "The book is on the table, next to the lamp." Where is the book?
9Someone describes a person: "She is tall and has long dark hair." Which description matches?
10You hear: "Excuse me, where is the post office?" What does the speaker want?
About the PEIC A1 Exam
The Pearson English International Certificate (PEIC), formerly known as PTE General, is an integrated four-skills English qualification awarded by Edexcel and recognised by schools, universities and employers worldwide. Level A1 Foundation is the entry level of the suite and certifies basic everyday English at CEFR Level A1. The written test has nine sections scored out of 75 points and assesses listening, reading and writing, while a short spoken test scored out of 25 points assesses speaking. The multiple-choice item types appear in Section 1 (Listening, ten 3-option picture questions), Section 4 (Reading gap-fill, five 3-option items) and Section 5 (Reading, five 3-option picture-matching items), with the remaining sections using dictation, note completion, open questions and short writing. The certificate never expires and is regulated in England by Ofqual as a Pearson Edexcel Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
About 1 hour 15 minutes for the written test plus roughly 3.5 minutes for the spoken test; offered as a two-hour computer-based assessment.
Passing Score
Scored out of 100 (75 written, 25 spoken); reported as Fail, Pass, Pass with Merit or Pass with Distinction, with a Pass confirming CEFR Level A1.
Exam Fee
Set locally by registered Pearson test centres and varies by country; A1 Foundation is the lowest level and carries an entry-level fee paid to your centre. (Pearson Education Ltd, awarded by Edexcel)
PEIC A1 Exam Content Outline
Listening: 3-option picture multiple choice
Section 1: listen once to ten short recordings and choose which of three pictures matches the gist, covering greetings, shopping, directions, descriptions and announcements.
Listening: dictation and note completion
Sections 2 and 3: transcribe a short dictation and complete notes with specific details such as names, numbers, prices and times heard twice.
Reading: gap-fill 3-option multiple choice
Section 4: read five short texts such as signs, notices, menus and adverts and choose the missing word or phrase from three options.
Reading: 3-option picture multiple choice
Section 5: read five short texts and choose from three pictures the image that matches the description or directions.
Reading: open questions and note completion
Sections 6 and 7: read letters, emails and articles and answer short open questions or complete gaps with specific information.
Writing: correspondence and picture text
Sections 8 and 9: write a short message of 30-50 words and a short text of 50-80 words based on a picture.
How to Pass the PEIC A1 Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Scored out of 100 (75 written, 25 spoken); reported as Fail, Pass, Pass with Merit or Pass with Distinction, with a Pass confirming CEFR Level A1.
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: About 1 hour 15 minutes for the written test plus roughly 3.5 minutes for the spoken test; offered as a two-hour computer-based assessment.
- Exam fee: Set locally by registered Pearson test centres and varies by country; A1 Foundation is the lowest level and carries an entry-level fee paid to your centre.
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
PEIC A1 Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pearson English International Certificate A1?
PEIC A1 Foundation, formerly called PTE General, is the entry level of Pearson's integrated four-skills English qualification. It certifies basic everyday English at CEFR Level A1 and is awarded by Edexcel and recognised by schools and employers worldwide.
How is the PEIC A1 test structured and scored?
There is a written test scored out of 75 points across nine listening, reading and writing sections, and a short spoken test scored out of 25 points, giving 100 points in total. Results are reported as Fail, Pass, Pass with Merit or Pass with Distinction.
Which parts of PEIC A1 are multiple choice?
Three sections use 3-option multiple choice: Section 1 (Listening, ten picture questions), Section 4 (Reading gap-fill, five items choosing the missing word), and Section 5 (Reading, five picture-matching items). Other sections use dictation, note completion, open questions and writing.
How long does the PEIC A1 test take?
The written test at Level A1 takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and the spoken test about 3.5 minutes. Pearson offers the certificate as an on-demand two-hour computer-based test taken at home or at a test centre.
Does the PEIC A1 certificate expire?
No. The Pearson English International Certificate never expires, so once you pass at Level A1 your result remains valid as proof of your English level for schools and employers.
Who should take the PEIC A1 Foundation level?
PEIC A1 is designed for beginner learners of English aged 14 and over who can handle basic everyday situations such as greetings, shopping, directions and short messages, and who want a recognised first English certificate.