Prepare for Aptis for Teens

The Grammar and Vocabulary component is the core element of the Aptis for Teens test. It has two parts and you will have 25 minutes to complete it.

The first part tests your knowledge of English grammar and the second part focuses on your knowledge of English vocabulary.

The Grammar and Vocabulary test is marked on a scale from 0 to 50. No CEFR level is awarded for this component but the score is used to assign you to the correct CEFR level for the other skill components.

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Answer key

Part 1: Grammar

In the Grammar section, you will be presented with 25 multiple choice questions where you should complete a sentence by choosing the correct option. Read the whole sentence before choosing the answer.

You can flag up questions you find difficult and go back to complete them later in the test.

Part 2: Vocabulary

The vocabulary part also has 25 questions. There are several question types:

Word definition - match a word to its definition.

Word pairs - match a word to another word of very similar meaning.

Word usage - choose a word to be used in the context of a sentence.

Word combinations - combine words that are frequently used together.

Top tips for the Grammar and vocabulary test

• Read all the options before choosing your answer.
• After you have chosen an option, read the sentence again to check your answer before you move on.
• Do not spend too long on any of the questions. Remember you have to answer 50 questions in 25 minutes. If you can’t think of the answer immediately, it’s better to continue with the test and then come back to it later.
• Improve your vocabulary through practice games and activities on the LearnEnglish website.

The Aptis for Teens Listening Test contains 25 questions and a total of 22 different recordings focusing on different aspects of real-life listening. You will have around 55 minutes to complete the listening test.

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Answer key

Part 1: Information recognition

In this part, you will listen to a short phone message or a short monologue or dialogue, and you need to identify specific information such as a phone number, a time, or a place. You will see one question and three possible answers. You click on the right answer.

Part 2: Information matching

In this part, you will be tested on your ability to find factual information in slightly more difficult monologues or two person conversations. You will see one question and three possible answers. You click on the right answer.

Part 3: Opinion matching

In this part, you will be tested on your ability to identify opinions or recommendations in longer and more complex monologues. You will see one question and three possible answers. You click on the right answer.

Part 4: Monologue comprehension

In this part, you will be tested on your ability to find information in longer and more difficult monologues or two person conversations. You will see two questions. Each question has three possible answers. You click on the right answer.

To listen, just click on the Play button. You can hear each recording twice. 

Tips for your listening test:

• Read the questions carefully before listening, identify key words and understand what it is you need to listen for.
• Watch for synonyms – you may see a word in a question and hear a different word with a similar meaning in the audio.
• Use the second listening to check or confirm your answer.
• Listen to the whole recording before choosing your answer.

This component is divided into four sections and the tasks become more difficult as the test progresses. The maximum time allowed for the reading component for is 30 minutes.

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Answer key

Part 1: Sentence comprehension

You read a short text of six sentences. Each sentence has a gap. You open a dropdown menu next to the gap and see three words. You click on the right word to fill the gap. The first sentence is an example with the gap completed. This part assesses your ability to read a sentence and complete it with an appropriate word.

Part 2: Text cohesion

You read a six-sentence text. The first sentence is in the correct place but the other five are in the wrong order. You drag and drop the sentences into the correct order to make a short clear text.

Part 3: Opinion matching

You read four short paragraphs. Each paragraph gives one person’s ideas and opinions on the same topic. You read seven sentences, each of which asks which of the four people has a particular idea or opinion. You open a drop-down menu next to each sentence which shows you the names of the four people who have written the paragraphs. You click on the person who has that idea or opinion. This part tests your ability to read and understand short texts.

Part 4: Long text comprehension

In this section, you will read a long text (about 750 words) consisting of eight paragraphs. You are provided with eight headings. Your task is to match seven of the headings to seven of the paragraphs in the text.

This tests your ability to understand a long text. Read the text carefully but as quickly as you can. Then read the headings. Do this all before starting the task. For each paragraph, choose the heading that best sums up the meaning of that paragraph.

Top tips for the reading test

• Read all the sentences carefully first, then decide on the correct order. You need to look for words that show how the sentences link with each other.
• To perform well in section two, first read each paragraph so you understand each person’s point of view. Then read the statements and decide which person’s opinion it best represents.
• In section three it is necessary to scroll the reading text to see all of it. Select the appropriate heading from the drop-down list on the left-hand side. There is always an extra heading that does not fit with any paragraph.
• And finally, it is important to remember that the best way to become a better reader is to practise. Easy books written especially for English language learners might help.

The Aptis for Teens Speaking component tests your ability to communicate in English in real-life situations.

It takes about 15 minutes and it is divided into four sections. Your responses will be recorded and marked by our examiners.

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Marking scales

Part 1: Personal information

In this part, you are asked to answer three questions on personal topics. You hear a recording giving you instructions and asking you a question. You are expected to talk for 30 seconds per question.

Part 2: Describe, express opinion and provide reasons and explanations

In this task, you give one description and answer two questions. You are asked to describe a photograph and then answer two questions related to the topic illustrated in the photo. The three questions increase in complexity (from description to opinion). You are expected to talk for 45 seconds per question.

Part 3: Describe, compare and provide reasons and explanations

You will be asked to describe two photographs, then answer two questions on the topic of the photographs. The questions will ask you to compare some aspect of the topic and to express an opinion on or speculate about the topic. Again, you are expected to speak for 45 seconds for each response.

You answer two questions in this task. You will see two pictures and will be asked a question that gives you a chance to compare and contrast something about the picture. Then you will hear and read a second question. You will have 45 seconds to answer each question.

Part 4: Discuss personal experience and opinion on an abstract topic

In the final part, you will be asked to give a presentation about the poster to your class. You will be given 90 seconds to prepare and at the end of the 90 seconds you will be asked to give your presentation. You will have two minutes to talk.

Top tips for the speaking test

• Make sure you understand the questions and respond appropriately and fully. Try to explain or expand your answers.
• Use your preparation time in section four efficiently; keep your notes short and simple, and think about how to structure your ideas logically
• Practice speaking as much as you can, do not worry too much about mistakes. Instead, focus on whether your message was successfully communicated.
• Record yourself speaking and try to improve your vocabulary and pronunciation. To prepare for speaking test, record yourself speaking as fluently as possible for a minute or two. 

Try the following topics:

• introducing yourself;
• talking about your personal experiences & preferences;
• comparing two different things - perhaps two cities or two houses 

When you listen to your recording the key things to note are:

• grammatical accuracy
• appropriacy of vocabulary
• effective pronunciation
• hesitation
• well-sequenced ideas properly linked together

In this part of the test you will be able to demonstrate your ability to use written English in real-life situations. There are four parts to the Writing test, all linked by a common topic.

You will sign up to a forum or online social club and every task you complete will be related to the theme of the club. There are four tasks in total and you have 50 minutes to complete the test. All tasks are marked by an examiner.

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Marking scales

Part 1: Word-level writing

Part one tests your ability to write words or short phrases in response to simple messages. You see a message and write a reply in the text box beside it. There are five messages.

Part 2: Short text writing

Part two tests your ability to write a short text (20 – 30 words) using sentences in response to a simple question. You see a question and write an answer in the text box below it. There is one question and you need to write one text.

Part 3: Three written responses to questions

Part three tests your ability to write a slightly longer and more complex text (30 – 40 words) using sentences in response to more demanding questions. There are three questions similar to ones you see on social network sites or Internet forums. You have to write three replies in the text boxes below the questions.

Part 4: Essay

Part four tests your ability to write a longer 'for and against' style essay (220 – 250 words). You will read a short introduction giving you the reason you are writing and the topic you need to write on. You will be given a statement or a question to respond to. You write your response in a text box below this information.

Make sure that you use the appropriate vocabulary and also that you use linking devices to make the text coherent. Also watch your grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Top tips for the writing test:

• Make sure you fully understand the question and respond appropriately
• Plan what you are going to write before you start
• Remember to review your writing and correct any errors, before moving to the next question
• Keep to the word limit – there is a word counter to help you keep track.
• Focus on accuracy