Note: In some testing centres, listening, reading, and writing are all tested on the same day, but speaking is tested on a different day (before or after the other parts). In other testing centres, all four parts might be done on the same day.

Speaking test format

Length: About 13 minutes; three parts

Part one

Talk about yourself.

Part two

Receive a discussion topic with time to prepare.

Part three

Answer more involved questions connected to the part two topic.

Click here to read more about speaking test strategies.

Listening test format

Length: 40 minutes (30 minutes + 10 minutes to transfer answers); 40 questions in four sections that get progressively more difficult. You will only hear each recording once.

Contexts: Sections 1 and 2 occur in a social context; sections 3 and 4 occur in an academic context.

1. Conversation for the purpose of accomplishing a goal
2. Monologue for the purpose of providing information
3. Conversation about an academic issue
4. Lecture

Questions:

• You are given the context for the speaking scenario.
• You are given 30-45 seconds to read the questions before the audio begins.
• The questions generally paraphrase the audio.
• Spelling must be correct or the question is marked wrong.

Questions types:

1. Multiple choice
   1. Choose 1 out of 3; choose 2 out of 5.
2. Matching
   1. Classify information by criteria
   2. Match statements to examples.
3. Pseudo-Writing
   1. Sentence completion: finish a sentence with appropriate words from the audio.
   2. Complete a table/summary/notes with appropriate words from the audio.
   3. Complete a graphic organizer with appropriate words from the audio/list of choices.
   4. Short-answer questions.

Writing test format

Length: 60 minutes; two parts

Part one: description of a graph/diagram/map/table

Time: 20 minutes

Expected word length: 150+ words

Part two: essay

Time: 40 minutes

Expected word length: 250+ words

Strategies: Click here to read about writing test strategies.

Reading test format

Time: 1 hour

Materials: 3 texts and 40 questions

Text style: 1st – 3rd year university, descriptive or argumentative, possibly containing logical arguments

Questions:

• The questions generally paraphrase the text.
• The questions test your ability to:
  • Identify the main purpose of the text
  • Understand key arguments
  • Identify attitudes and opinions
  • Find information
  • Tell apart main ideas vs. supporting details

Questions types:

1. Multiple choice
   1. Choose 1 out of 4; choose 2 out of 5; and choose 3 out of 7.
   2. Identify whether information is true, false, or not given.
   3. Decide whether statements share the same perspective, disagree, or not apply.
2. Matching 
   1. Match information to its place in the text.
   2. Match the heading to its correct place in the text.
   3. Match statements to examples.
   4. Match the beginning of a sentence to its end.
   5. Match the researcher to the finding.
3. Pseudo-writing
   1. Sentence completion: finish a sentence with the right words from the text.
   2. Complete a table/summary/notes with the right words from the text.
   3. Complete a graphic organizer/diagram/summary with the right words from the text/list of choices.
   4. Short-answer questions using the right words from the text.

Strategies: Click here to read about reading test strategies.