Common spelling mistakes

In the table are the most common spelling mistakes at CEFR Level B1 and B2. These spelling mistakes

are taken from the learner corpus which analyses candidates’ scripts from all over the world. Do your

learners make the same mistakes? Or are there different words that are difficult for them?

Please note: we have used British usage of spellings but American usage, for example, is acceptable in our

exams. Candidates must use a particular variety of English with some degree of consistency in areas such

as spelling, and not, for example, switch from using a British spelling of a word to an American spelling of the

same word.

Top 5 misspelled verbs, nouns and adjectives at Level B1

Verbs

1. receive

2. decided

3. recommend

4. want

5. think

Nouns

1. centre

2. accommodation

3. business

4. conference

5. programme

Adjectives

1. beautiful

2. interesting

3. grateful

4. different

5. quiet

Top 5 misspelled verbs, nouns and adjectives at Level B2:

Verbs

1. recommend

2. received

3. think

4. appreciate

5. believe

Nouns

1. advertisement

2. accommodation

3. programme

4. environment

5. centre

Adjectives

1. convenient

2. necessary

3. comfortable

4. available

5. interesting