Listening
Time: 40 minutes

•Candidates listen to a number of recorded texts, which increase in difficulty as the test progresses.

•These include a mixture of monologues and conversations and feature a variety of English accents and dialects.

•The recording is heard only once, but candidates are given time to read the questions and record their answers.

Academic Reading
Time: 60 minutes

•There are three reading passages with tasks.

•Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers, all written for a non-specialist audience.

•At least one of the texts contains a detailed argument.

General Training Reading
Time: 60 minutes

•The texts are based on the type of material candidates would be expected to encounter on a daily basis in an English speaking country.

•The texts are taken from sources such as newspapers, advertisements, instruction manuals and books, and test the candidate’s ability to understand and use information.

•The test includes one longer text, which is descriptive rather than argumentative.

Academic Writing
Time: 60 minutes

•For the first task, candidates write a report of around 150 words based on material found in a table or diagram, demonstrating their ability to describe and explain data.

•For the second task, candidates write a short essay of around 250 words in response to an opinion or a problem. They are expected to demonstrate an ability to discuss issues, construct an argument and use the appropriate tone and register.

General Training Writing
Time: 60 minutes

•The first task requires candidates to write a letter of around 150 words either asking for information or explaining a situation.

•The second task is a short essay of around 250 words, and is written in response to a given point of view or problem. Candidates are expected to be able to present their own ideas and challenge other ideas, using appropriate tone and register.

Speaking
Time: 11 – 14 minutes

•The test takes the form of a face to face interview.

•Candidates are assessed on their ability to respond to questions; to speak at length on a familiar topic; and their ability to interact with the examiner.