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ISE II (B2) resources | Trinity College London

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Exam format and timings

Reading & Writing - 2 hours

2 x Reading tasks:

Long reading

Multi-text reading

1 x Reading into writing task

1 x Extended writing task

Speaking & Listening - 18 minutes

2 x Speaking tasks:

Topic discussion task

Conversation task

2 x Independent listening tasks

From guides for teachers and students to sample exam videos and publisher resources on ISE I (B1) and more, see the options below:

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Reading & Writing - 2 hours 2 x Reading tasks: Long reading Multi-text reading 1 x Reading into writing task 1 x Extended writing task Speaking & Listening - 18 minutes 2 x Speaking tasks: Topic discussion task Conversation task 2 x Independent listening tasks From guides for teachers and students to sample exam videos and publisher resources on ISE I (B1) and more, see the options below:

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"cambridge esol" "cambridge english exams" "cambridge english" "cambridge assessment english" "cambridge assessment" cambridge "cambridge exams" "cambridge e...

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Welcome to the official channel for learning and teaching English with Cambridge. At Cambridge University Press & Assessment, we help millions of people learn English and prove their skills to the world. To learn English is to enjoy and experience a language that opens up opportunities across the world.

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Aptis - an innovative English language test

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Aptis is an innovative English multilevel language test for individuals and organisations, designed to certify your level of English in a practical and flexible way.

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There are two types of IELTS: Academic and General Training. IELTS Academic can be taken in a test centre on paper or on computer, and can now also be taken online from home or another private location that has a stable internet connection. IELTS General Training can only be taken in a test centre on paper or on computer.

For Academic and General Training you take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests. Make sure you prepare for the correct test type.

The Listening, Reading and Writing sections of all IELTS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them.

The Speaking test, however, may be scheduled up to a week before or after the other tests. If you booked IELTS Online, your Speaking test will usually take place before your other tests. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

IELTS official practice test

Know where you stand before you take your test with an official IELTS practice test. IELTS Progress Check is an official online-marked practice test. The test will give you an indication of your overall band score and individual band scores for each section. It will provide feedback on areas to improve. Book your official practice test today.

Test format - Listening (30 minutes)

You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions.

Recording 1 - a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.

Recording 2 - a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.

Recording 3 - a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.

Recording 4 - a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.

Assessors will be looking for evidence of your ability to understand the main ideas and detailed factual information, the opinions and attitudes of speakers, the purpose of an utterance and evidence of your ability to follow the development of ideas.

IELTS Listening description

Paper format: There are four parts with ten questions each. The questions are designed so that the answers appear in the order they are heard in the audio.

The first two parts deal with situations set in everyday social contexts. In Part 1, there is a conversation between two speakers (for example, a conversation about travel arrangements), and in Part 2, there is a monologue in (for example, a speech about local facilities). The final two parts deal with situations set in educational and training contexts. In Part 3, there is a conversation between two main speakers (for example, two university students in discussion, perhaps guided by a tutor), and in Part 4, there is a monologue on an academic subject.

The recordings are heard only once. They include a range of accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand, American and Canadian.

Timing: Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes transfer time).

No. of questions: 40

Task types: A variety of question types are used, chosen from the following: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion.

Answering: Test takers write their answers on the question paper as they listen and at the end of the test are given 10 minutes to transfer their answers to an answer sheet. Care should be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalised.

Marks: Each question is worth 1 mark.

IELTS Listening in detail

A detailed look at the paper with links to related resources.

Task type 1 - Multiple choice

Task type and format: In multiple choice tasks, there is a question followed by three possible answers, or the beginning of a sentence followed by three possible ways to complete the sentence. Test takers are required to choose the one correct answer - A, B or C.

Sometimes, test takers are given a longer list of possible answers and told that they have to choose more than one. In this case, they should read the question carefully to check how many answers are required.

Task focus: Multiple choice questions are used to test a wide range of skills. The test taker may be required to have a detailed understanding of specific points or an overall understanding of the main points of the listening text.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 2 - Matching

Task type and format: Test takers are required to match a numbered list of items from the listening text to a set of options on the question paper. The set of options may be criteria of some kind.

Task focus: Matching assesses the skill of listening for detail and whether a test taker can understand information given in a conversation on an everyday topic, such as the different types of hotel or guest house accommodation. It also assesses the ability to follow a conversation between two people. It may also be used to assess test takers' ability to recognise relationships and connections between facts in the listening text.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 3 - Plan, map, diagram labelling

Task type and format: Test takers are required to complete labels on a plan (eg of a building), map (eg of part of a town) or diagram (e.g. of a piece of equipment). The answers are usually selected from a list on the question paper.

Task focus: This type of task assesses the ability to understand, for example, a description of a place, and to relate this to a visual representation. This may include being able to follow language expressing spatial relationships and directions (e.g. straight on/through the far door).

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 4 - Form, note, table, flow-chart, summary completion

Task type and format: Test takers are required to fill in the gaps in an outline of part or of all of the listening text. The outline will focus on the main ideas/facts in the text. It may be:

1. a form: often used to record factual details such as names
2. a set of notes: used to summarise any type of information using the layout to show how different items relate to one another
3. a table: used as a way of summarising information which relates to clear categories - e.g. place/time/price,
4. a flow-chart: used to summarise a process which has clear stages, with the direction of the process shown by arrows.

Test takers may have to select their answers from a list on the question paper or identify the missing words from the recording, keeping to the word limit stated in the instructions. Test takers do not have to change the words from the recording in any way.

Test takers should read the instructions very carefully as the number of words or numbers they should use to fill the gaps will vary. A word limit is given, for example, 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER'. Test takers are penalised for writing more than the stated number of words, and test takers should check this word limit carefully for each task. Contracted words will not be tested. Hyphenated words count as single words.

Task focus: This focuses on the main points which a listener would naturally record in this type of situation.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 5 - Sentence completion

Task type and format: Test takers are required to read a set of sentences summarising key information from all the listening text or from one part of it. They then fill a gap in each sentence using information from the listening text. A word limit is given, for example, 'NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER'.

Test takers are penalised for writing more than the stated number of words. (Test takers should check this word limit carefully for each task: the limit is either ONE, TWO or THREE words). Contracted words will not be tested. Hyphenated words count as single words.

Task focus: Sentence completion focuses on the ability to identify the key information in a listening text. Test takers have to understand functional relationships such as cause and effect.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 6 - Short-answer questions

Task type and format: Test takers are required to read a question and then write a short answer using information from the listening text. A word limit is given, for example, 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER'. Test takers are penalised for writing more than the stated number of words. (Test takers should check this word limit carefully for each task.) Contracted words will not be tested. Hyphenated words count as single words. Sometimes test takers are given a question which asks them to list two or three points.

Task focus: Sentence completion focuses on the ability to listen for concrete facts, such as places, prices or times, within the listening text.

No. of questions: Variable

IELTS Listening - how it's marked

The Listening test is marked by certificated markers, who are regularly monitored to ensure their reliability. All answer sheets, after being marked, are further analysed by Cambridge English.
Band score conversion
A Band Score conversion table is produced for each version of the Listening test which translates scores out of 40 into the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole bands and half bands.

One mark is awarded for each correct answer in the 40-item test. Care should be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalised.

Test format - Reading (60 minutes)

The Reading section consists of 40 questions, designed to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.

IELTS Academic test - this includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. These are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. They have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration.

IELTS Academic Reading description

Paper format: Three reading passages with a variety of questions using a number of task types.

Timing: 60 minutes

No. of questions: 40

Task types: A variety of question types are used, chosen from the following; multiple choice, identifying information, identifying the writer's views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion and short-answer questions.

Sources: Texts are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers, and have been written for a non-specialist audience. All the topics are of general interest. They deal with issues which are interesting, recognisably appropriate and accessible to test takers entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration. The passages may be written in a variety of styles, for example narrative, descriptive or discursive/argumentative. At least one text contains detailed logical argument. Texts may contain non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts contain technical terms a simple glossary is provided.

Answering: Test takers are required to transfer their answers to an answer sheet during the time allowed for the test. No extra time is allowed for transfer. Care should be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalised.

Marks: Each question is worth 1 mark.

IELTS Academic Reading in detail

A detailed look at the paper with links to related resources.

Task type 1 - Multiple choice

Task type and format: Test takers are required to choose the best answer from four alternatives (A, B, C or D), or the best two answers from five alternatives (A, B, C, D or E), or the best three answers from seven alternatives (A, B, C, D, E, F or G). Test takers write the letter of the answer they have chosen on the answer sheet. The questions may involve completing a sentence, where they are given the first part of a sentence and then choose the best way to complete it from the options, or could involve complete questions; with the test takers choosing the option which best answers them.

The questions are in the same order as the information in the text: that is, the answer to the first question in this group will be located in the text before the answer to the second question, and so on. This task type may be used with any type of text.

Task focus: Multiple choice tests a wide range of reading skills, including detailed understanding of specific points or an overall understanding of the main points of the text.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 2 - Identifying information

Task focus: Identifying information assesses the test takers' ability to recognise particular points of information conveyed in the text. It can thus be used with more factual texts.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 3 - Identifying writer's views/claims

Task focus: This type of task assesses the test takers' ability to recognise opinions or ideas, and so it is often used with discursive or argumentative texts.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 4 - Matching information

Task focus: Matching information assesses the test takers' ability to scan for specific information. Unlike task type 5, Matching headings, it is concerned with specific information rather than with the main idea.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 5 - Matching headings

Task type and format: Test takers are given a list of headings, usually identified with lower-case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc,). A heading will refer to the main idea of the paragraph or section of the text. Test takers must match the heading to the correct paragraphs or sections, which are marked alphabetically. Test takers write the appropriate Roman numerals in the boxes on their answer sheets. There will always be more headings than there are paragraphs or sections, so that some headings will not be used. It is also possible that some paragraphs or sections may not be included in the task. One or more paragraphs or sections may already be matched with a heading as an example for test takers. This task type is used with texts that contain paragraphs or sections with clearly defined themes.

Task focus: Matching headers tests the test takers' ability to recognise the main idea or theme in the paragraphs or sections of a text, and to distinguish main ideas from supporting ones.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 6 - Matching features

Task type and format: Test takers are required to match a set of statements or pieces of information to a list of options. The options are a group of features from the text, and are identified by letters. Test takers may, for example, be required to match different research findings to a list of researchers, or characteristics to age groups, events to historical periods, etc. It is possible that some options will not be used, and that others may be used more than once. The instructions will inform test takers if options may be used more than once.

Task focus: Matching features assesses the test takers' ability to recognise relationships and connections between facts in the text and their ability to recognise opinions and theories. It may be used both with factual information, as well as opinion-based discursive texts. Test takers need to be able to skim and scan the text in order to locate the required information and to read for detail.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 7 - Matching sentence endings

Task type and format: Test takers are given the first half of a sentence based on the text and asked to choose the best way to complete it from a list of possible options. They will have more options to choose from than there are questions. Test takers must write the letter they have chosen on the answer sheet. The questions are in the same order as the information in the passage: that is, the answer to the first question in this group will be found before the answer to the second question, and so on. This task type may be used with any type of text.

Task focus: Matching sentence endings assesses the test takers' ability to understand the main ideas within a sentence.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 8 - Sentence completion

Task type and format: Test takers complete sentences in a given number of words taken from the text. They must write their answers on the answer sheet. The instructions will make it clear how many words/numbers test takers should use in their answers, e.g. 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage', 'ONE WORD ONLY' or 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS'. If test takers write more than the number of words asked for, they will lose the mark. Numbers can be written using figures or words. Contracted words will not be tested. Hyphenated words count as single words. The questions are in the same order as the information in the passage: that is, the answer to the first question in this group will be found before the answer to the second question, and so on. This task type may be used with any type of text.

Task focus: Matching sentence endings assesses the test takers' ability to locate detail/specific information.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 9 - Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion

Task type and format: Test takers are given a summary of a section of the text, and are required to complete it with information drawn from the text. The summary will usually be of only one part of the passage rather than the whole. The given information may be in the form of: several connected sentences of text (referred to as a summary), several notes (referred to as notes), a table with some of its cells empty or partially empty (referred to as a table), a series of boxes or steps linked by arrows to show a sequence of events, with some of the boxes or steps empty or partially empty (referred to as a flow-chart).

The answers will not necessarily occur in the same order as in the text. However, they will usually come from one section rather than the entire text.

There are two variations of this task type. Test takers may be asked either to select words from the text or to select from a list of answers.
Where words have to be selected from the passage, the instructions will make it clear how many words/numbers test takers should use in their answers, e.g. 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage', 'ONE WORD ONLY' or 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS'. If test takers write more than the number of words asked for, they will lose the mark.

Numbers can be written using figures or words. Contracted words are not tested. Hyphenated words count as single words. Where a list of answers is provided, they most frequently consist of a single word.

Because this task type often relates to precise factual information, it is often used with descriptive texts.

Task focus: Summarising assesses the test takers' ability to understand details and/or the main ideas of a section of text. In the variations involving a summary or notes, test takers need to be aware of the type of word(s) that will fit into a given gap (for example, whether a noun is needed, or a verb, etc.).

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 10 - Diagram label completion

Task type and format: Test takers are required to complete labels on a diagram, which relates to a description contained in the text. The instructions will make it clear how many words/numbers test takers should use in their answers, e.g. 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage', 'ONE WORD ONLY' or 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS'. If test takers write more than the number of words asked for, they will lose the mark. Numbers can be written using figures or words. Contracted words will not be tested. Hyphenated words count as single words. The answers do not necessarily occur in order in the passage. However, they will usually come from one section rather than the entire text.

The diagram may be of some type of machine, or of parts of a building or of any other element that can be represented pictorially. This task type is often used with texts describing processes or with descriptive texts.

Task focus: Diagram label completion assesses the test takers' ability to understand a detailed description, and to relate it to information presented in the form of a diagram.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 11 - Short-answer questions

Task type and format: Test takers answer questions, which usually relate to factual information about details in the text. This is most likely to be used with a text that contains a lot of factual information and detail.

Test takers must write their answers in words or numbers on the answer sheet. Test takers must write their answers using words from the text. The instructions will make it clear how many words/numbers test takers should use in their answers, e.g. 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage', 'ONE WORD ONLY' or 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS'. If test takers write more than the number of words asked for, they will lose the mark.
Numbers can be written using figures or words. Contracted words are not tested. Hyphenated words count as single words. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text.

Task focus: Short answer questions assess the test takers' ability to locate and understand precise information in the text.

No. of questions: Variable

IELTS Academic Reading - how it's marked

The Academic Reading test is marked by certificated markers, who are regularly monitored to ensure reliability. All answer sheets, after being marked, are further analysed by Cambridge English.

Band score conversion

A Band Score conversion table is produced for each version of the Academic Reading test, which translates scores out of 40 into the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole bands and half bands.

Test format - Reading (60 minutes)

The Reading section consists of 40 questions, designed to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.

IELTS General Training test - this includes extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.

IELTS General Training Reading description

Paper format: There are three sections. Section 1 may contain two or three short texts or several shorter texts. Section 2 comprises two texts. In Section 3, there is one long text.

Timing: 60 minutes

No. of questions: 40

Task types: A variety of question types are used, chosen from the following: multiple choice, identifying information, identifying writer's views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

Answering: Test takers are required to transfer their answers to an answer sheet during the time allowed for the test. No extra time is allowed for transfer. Care should be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalised.

Marks: Each question is worth 1 mark.

IELTS General Training Reading in detail

A detailed look at the paper with links to related resources.

Task type 1 - Multiple choice

Task type and format: In this task type, test takers choose the best answer from four alternatives A, B, C or D, or the best two answers from five alternatives (A, B, C, D or E), or the best three answers from seven alternatives (A, B, C, D, E, F or G). They write the letter of the answer they have chosen on the answer sheet.

The questions may involve completing a sentence, in which the 'stem' gives the first part of a sentence and test takers choose the best way to complete it from the options, or could involve complete questions, choosing the option which best answers them. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text: that is, the answer to the first question in this group will be located in the text before the answer to the second question, and so on. This task type may be used with any type of text.

Task focus: This task type tests a wide range of reading skills including detailed understanding of specific points or an overall understanding of the main points of the text.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 2 - Identifying information

Task type and format: The test taker will be given a number of statements and asked: 'Do the following statements agree with the information in the text?' They then write 'true', 'false' or 'not given' in the boxes on their answer sheets. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text: that is, the answer to the first question in this group will be located in the text before the answer to the second question and so on.

It is important to understand the difference between 'false' and 'not given'. 'False' means that the passage states the opposite of the statement in question; 'not given' means that the statement is neither confirmed nor contradicted by the information in the passage.

Any knowledge students bring with them from outside the passage should not play a part when deciding on their answers.

Task focus: This task type assesses the test takers' ability to recognise particular points of information conveyed in the text. It can thus be used with more factual texts.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 3 - Identifying writer's views/claims

Task type and format: The test taker will be given a number of statements and asked: 'Do the following statements agree with the views/claims of the writer?' They answer 'yes', 'no' or 'not given' in the boxes on their answer sheet. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text: that is, the answer to the first question in this group will be located in the text before the answer to the second question, and so on.

It is important to understand the difference between 'no' and 'not given'. 'No' means that the views or claims of the writer explicitly disagree with the statement, i.e. the writer somewhere expresses the view or makes a claim which is opposite to the one given in the question; 'not given' means that the view or claim is neither confirmed nor contradicted. (Any knowledge students bring with them from outside the passage should not play a part when deciding on their answers.

Task focus: This task type assesses the test takers' ability to recognise opinions or ideas, and is thus often used with discursive or argumentative texts.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 4 - Matching information

Task type and format: Test takers locate specific information in the lettered paragraphs/sections of a text, and write the letters of the correct paragraphs/sections in the boxes on their answer sheet. They may be asked to find; specific details, an example, a reason, a description, a comparison, a summary, an explanation. They will not necessarily need to find information in every paragraph/section of the text, but there may be more than one piece of relevant information in a given paragraph/section. When this is the case, test takers will be told that they can use any letter more than once. The questions do not follow the same order as the information in the text. This task type can be used with any text as it may test a wide range of reading skills, from locating detail to recognising a summary or definition.

Task focus: This task type assesses the test takers' ability to scan for specific information. Unlike task type 5 (Matching headings), it is concerned with specific information rather than with the main idea.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 5 - Matching headings

Task type and format: Test takers are given a list of headings, usually identified with lower-case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.), referring to the main idea of the paragraph or section of the text. They must match the heading to the correct paragraphs or sections, which are marked alphabetically, and write the appropriate Roman numerals in the boxes on their answer sheets. There will always be more headings than there are paragraphs or sections, so some headings will not be used. It is also possible that some paragraphs or sections may not be included in the task. One or more paragraphs or sections may already be matched with a heading as an example. No heading may be used more than once. This task type is used with texts that contain paragraphs or sections with clearly defined themes.

Task focus: This task tests the ability to recognise the main idea or theme in the paragraphs or sections of a text, and to distinguish main ideas from supporting ones.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 6 - Matching features

Task type and format: Test takers match a set of statements or pieces of information to a list of options. These are a group of features from the text, and are identified by letters. Test takers may, for example, be required to match different characteristics to age groups or events to historical periods, etc. It is possible that some options will not be used, and that others may be used more than once. The instructions will advise whether options may be used more than once. The questions do not follow the same order as the information in the text.

Task focus: This task assesses the ability to recognise relationships and connections between facts in the text, and to recognise opinions and theories. It may be used both with texts dealing with factual information, description or narrative. Test takers need to be able to skim and scan the text in order to locate the required information and to read for detail.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 7 - Matching sentence endings

Task type and format: Test takers are given the first half of a sentence based on the text and choose the best way to complete it from a list of possible options. They will have more options to choose from than there are questions. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text: that is, the answer to the first question in this group will be found before the answer to the second question, and so on. This task type may be used with any type of text.

Task focus: This task type assesses the test takers' ability to understand the main ideas.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 8 - Sentence completion

Task type and format: Test takers complete sentences in a given number of words taken from the text, writing their answers on the answer sheet. The instructions will make it clear how many words/numbers should be in the answers, e.g. 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage', 'ONE WORD ONLY' or 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS'. If test takers write more than the number of words asked for, they will lose the mark.

Numbers can be written using figures or words. Contracted words will not be tested. Hyphenated words count as single words. The questions are in the same order as the information in the passage: that is, the answer to the first question in this group will be found before the answer to the second question, and so on.

Task focus: This task type assesses the test takers' ability to locate detail/specific information.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 9 - Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion

Task type and format: Test takers are given a summary of a section of the text, and are required to complete it with information drawn from the text. Note that the summary will usually be of only one part of the passage rather than the whole. The given information may be in the form of; several connected sentences (referred to as a summary), several notes (referred to as notes), a table with some of its cells empty or partially empty (referred to as a table), a series of boxes or steps linked by arrows to show a sequence of events, with some of the boxes or steps empty or partially empty (referred to as a flow-chart). The answers will not necessarily occur in the same order as in the text. However, they will usually come from one section rather than the entire text. There are two variations of this task type. Test takers may be asked either to select words from the text or to select from a list of answers. Where words have to be selected from the passage, the instructions will make it clear how many words/numbers test takers should use in their answers, e.g. 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage', 'ONE WORD ONLY' or 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS'. If test takers write more than the number of words asked for, they will lose the mark. Numbers can be written using figures or words. Contracted words are not tested. Hyphenated words count as single words. Where a list of answers is provided, they most frequently consist of a single word, There are always more words or phrases in the box than there are gaps to fill. Because this task type often relates to precise factual information, it is often used with descriptive texts.

Task focus: This task type assesses the test takers' ability to understand details and/or the main ideas of a section of the text. In the variations involving a summary or notes, they need to be aware of the type of word(s) that will fit into a given gap (for example, whether a noun is needed, or a verb, etc.).

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 10 - Diagram label completion

Task type and format: Test takers complete labels on a diagram which relates to a description contained in the text. The instructions will make it clear how many words/numbers test takers should use in their answers, e.g. 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage', 'ONE WORD ONLY' or 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS'. If they write more than the number of words asked for, they will lose the mark. Numbers can be written using figures or words. Contracted words will not be tested. Hyphenated words count as single words. The answers do not necessarily occur in order in the passage.

However, they will usually come from one section rather than the entire text. The diagram may be of some type of machine, or of parts of a building or of any other element that can be represented pictorially. This task type is often used with texts describing processes or with descriptive texts.

Task focus: This task type assesses the ability to understand a detailed description, and to relate it to information presented in the form of a diagram.

No. of questions: Variable

Task type 11 - Short-answer questions

Task type and format: Test takers answer questions about factual details in the text. Test takers must write their answers in words or numbers on the answer sheet. Test takers must write their answers using words from the text. The instructions will make it clear how many words/numbers test takers should use in their answers, e.g. 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage', 'ONE WORD ONLY' or 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS'. If they write more than the number of words asked for, they will lose the mark. Numbers can be written using figures or words. Contracted words are not tested. Hyphenated words count as single words. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text: that is, the answer to the first question in this group will be located in the test before the answer to the second question, and so on.

Task focus: This task type assesses the ability to locate and understand precise information in the text.

No. of questions: Variable

IELTS General Training Reading - How it's marked

The General Training Reading test is marked by certificated markers, who are regularly monitored to ensure reliability. After being marked, all answer sheets, are further analysed by Cambridge English.

Band score conversion

A band score conversion table is produced for each version of the General Training Reading test which translates scores out of 40 into the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole bands and half bands.

Test format - Academic Writing (60 minutes)

Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for, test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration. There are two tasks:

Task 1 - you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.

Task 2 - you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.

IELTS Academic Writing description

Paper format: There are two Writing tasks and BOTH must be completed.

Timing: 60 minutes

No. of questions: 2

Task types: In Task 1, test takers are asked to describe some visual information (graph/table/chart/diagram) in their own words. They need to write 150 words in about 20 minutes. In Task 2, they respond to a point of view or argument or problem. They need to write 250 words in about 40 minutes.

Answering: Answers must be given on the answer sheet and must be written in full. Notes or bullet points are not acceptable as answers. Test takers may write on the question paper but this cannot be taken from the examination room and will not be seen by the examiner.

A detailed look at the paper with links to related resources.

Task 1

Task type and format: In Writing Task 1, test takers may be asked to describe facts or figures presented in one or more graphs, charts or tables on a related topic; or they may be given a diagram of a machine, a device or a process and asked to explain how it works. They should write in an academic or semi-formal/neutral styles and include the most important and the most relevant points in the diagram. Some minor points or details may be left out.

Test takers should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task. They are asked to write at least 150 words and will be penalised if their answer is too short. While test takers will not be penalised for writing more than 150 words, they should remember that a longer Task 1 answer may mean that they have less time to spend on Task 2, which contributes twice as much to the Writing band score.

Test takers should also note that they will be penalised for irrelevance if the response is off-topic or is not written as full, connected text (e.g. using bullet points in any part of the response, or note form, etc.). They will be severely penalised for plagiarism (i.e. copying from another source).

Test takers must write their answers on the answer booklet.

Task focus: This task assesses the ability to identify the most important and relevant information and trends in a graph, chart, table or diagram, and to give a well-organised overview of it using language accurately in an academic style.

No. of questions: 1

Task 2

Task type and format: In Writing Task 2, test takers are given a topic to write about an academic or semi-formal/neutral style. Answers should be a discursive consideration of the relevant issues. Test takers should make sure that they read the task carefully and provide a full and relevant response. For example, if the topic is a particular aspect of computers, they should focus on this aspect in their response. They should not simply write about computers in general.

Test takers should spend no more than 40 minutes on this task. They are asked to write at least 250 words and will be penalised if their answer is too short. While test takers will not be penalised for writing more than 250 words, if they write a very long answer they may not have time for checking and correcting at the end and some ideas may not be directly relevant to the question.
Task 2 contributes twice as much to the final Writing band score as Task 1. Therefore, test takers who fail to attempt to answer this task will greatly reduce their chance of achieving a good band.

Test takers will be penalised for irrelevance if the response is off-topic or is not written as full, connected text (e.g. using bullet points in any part of the response, or note form, etc.). They will be severely penalised for plagiarism (i.e. copying from another source). Finally, test takers should make sure that they do not copy directly from the question paper because this will not be assessed.

They must write their answers on the answer booklet.

Task focus: This task assesses the ability to present a clear, relevant, well-organised argument, giving evidence or examples to support ideas and use language accurately.

No. of questions: 1

IELTS Academic Writing - How it's marked

Marking and assessment

Each task is assessed independently. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1.

Responses are assessed by certificated IELTS examiners. All IELTS examiners hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as examiners by the test centres and approved by the British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia.

Scores are reported in whole and half bands. Detailed performance descriptors have been developed which describe written performance at the nine IELTS bands. These are available on the How IELTS is scored page. They apply to both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training versions and are based on the following criteria.
Task 1 responses are assessed on:

Task achievement

Coherence and cohesion

Lexical resource

Grammatical range and accuracy.

Task 2 responses are assessed on:

Task response

Coherence and cohesion

Lexical resource

Grammatical range and accuracy.

Performance descriptors
Task 1
Task achievement
This assesses how appropriately, accurately and relevantly the response fulfils the requirements set out in the task, using the minimum of 150 words. Academic Writing Task 1 is a writing task which has a defined input and a largely predictable output. It is basically an information-transfer task that relates narrowly to the factual content of an input diagram and not to speculative explanations that lie outside the given data.

Coherence and cohesion
This concerns overall clarity and fluency: how the response organises and links information, ideas and language. Coherence refers to the linking of ideas through logical sequencing. Cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive devices (for example, logical connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) to assist in making the conceptual and referential relationships between and within sentences clear.

Lexical resource
This refers to the range of vocabulary used and its accuracy and appropriacy in terms of the specific task.

Grammatical range and accuracy
This refers to the range and accurate use of grammar as manifested in their sentence writing.
Task 2
Task response
In both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training versions, Task 2 requires test takers to formulate and develop a position in relation to a given prompt in the form of a question or statement. Ideas should be supported by evidence, and examples may be drawn from the test takers' own experience. Responses must be at least 250 words in length. Scripts under the required minimum word limit will be penalised.

Coherence and cohesion
This assesses the overall clarity and fluency of the message: how the response organises and links information, ideas and language. Coherence refers to the linking of ideas through logical sequencing. Cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive devices (for example, logical connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) to assist in making the conceptual and referential relationships between and within sentences clear.

Lexical resource
This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary used and its accuracy and appropriacy in terms of the specific task.

Grammatical range and accuracy
This assesses the range and accurate use of grammar, as manifested in their test takers' writing at sentence level.

Test format - General Training Writing (60 minutes)

Topics are of general interest. There are two tasks:

Task 1 - you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.

Task 2 - you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be fairly personal in style.

IELTS General Training Writing description

Paper format: There are two Writing tasks to complete.

Timing: 60 minutes

No. of questions: 2

Task types: In Task 1, test takers are asked to respond to a situation, for example, by writing a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. In Task 2, test takers write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

Answering: Answers must be written in full in the answer booklet. Notes or bullet points in whole or in part are not acceptable as answers. Test takers may write on the question paper but this cannot be taken from the test room and will not be seen by the examiner.

A detailed look at the paper with links to related resources.

Task 1

Task type and format: In Writing Task 1, test takers are presented with a situation and required to write a personal response in the form of an informal, semi-formal or formal letter of at least 150 words in the answer booklet provided. The situations they are asked to write about are common, everyday ones such as: writing to a college accommodation officer about problems with accommodation, writing to a new employer about time management problems they are having, writing to a local newspaper about a plan to develop a local airport, writing to a renting agency to sort out problems with the heating system in their house.

Test takers are told what kind of information (in the form of three bullet points) they must include in their response. They may be required to request or give information and/or explain a situation. To do this, they may need to do some of the following: ask for and/or provide general factual information, express needs, wants, likes or dislikes, express opinions or complaints, make requests or make suggestions/recommendations.

The style of writing that test takers use depends who they are asked to write to (i.e. the audience) and how well they are supposed to know them. They need to write in a style that is appropriate for their audience and that will help them to achieve their purpose for writing, e.g. writing to a friend (informal) or writing to a manager (semi-formal or formal). Test takers do not need to include any addresses at the head of their letters.

Test takers should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task. They are asked to write at least 150 words and will be penalised if their answer is too short. While test takers will not be penalised for writing more than 150 words, they should remember that a longer Task 1 answer may mean that they have less time to spend on Task 2, which contributes twice as much to the Writing band score.

Test takers should also note that they will be penalised for irrelevance, if the response is off-topic or is not written as full, connected text (e.g. using bullet points in any part of the response, or note form, etc.). They will be severely penalised for plagiarism (i.e. copying from another source).

Task focus: This task assesses the ability to follow English letter-writing conventions (i.e. what order to put information in, what style to use, how to start and finish a letter), to use language accurately and appropriately and to organise and link information coherently and cohesively.

No. of questions: 1

Task 2

Task type and format: In Writing Task 2, test takers write a semi-formal/neutral discursive essay of at least 250 words in the answer book provided.

The task instructions give information about a point of view, argument or problem. They then tell test takers how to discuss this, which may involve providing general factual information, outlining and/or presenting a solution, justifying an opinion, evaluating evidence and ideas.

Topics are of general interest, - such as: whether children's leisure activities should be educational, why families are not so close as they used to be and how they could be brought closer, how environmental problems can be solved, who should pay for the care of old people, whether smoking should be banned in public places.

Test takers should make sure that they complete the task carefully and provide a full and relevant response. They should organise their ideas clearly and make sure to support their argument with relevant examples (including from their own experience where relevant) or evidence. For this task, test takers need to be able to communicate more abstract and complex ideas and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Task 2 contributes twice as much to the final Writing band score as Task 1. Therefore, test takers who fail to attempt to answer this task will greatly reduce their chance of achieving a good score.

Test takers are asked to write at least 250 words and will be penalised if their answer is too short. They should spend no more than 40 minutes on this task.

Test takers should also note that they will be penalised for irrelevance if the response is off-topic or is not written as full, connected text (e.g. using bullet points in any part of the response, or note form, etc.). They will be severely penalised for plagiarism (i.e. copying from another source).

Task focus: This task assesses the ability to follow English discursive writing conventions (i.e. what order to put information in, what style to use, how to start and finish discursive writing, how to paragraph), to organise and link information coherently and cohesively and to use language accurately and appropriately.

No. of questions: 1

IELTS General Training Writing - How it's marked

Marking and assessment

Writing responses are assessed by certificated IELTS examiners. All IELTS examiners hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as examiners by the test centres and approved by the British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia.

Each task is assessed independently. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1.Scores are reported in whole and half bands. Detailed performance descriptors have been developed which describe written performance at the nine IELTS bands. They are available on the How IELTS is scored page. The descriptors apply to both the Academic and General Training versions and are based on the following criteria.
Task 1 responses are assessed on:

Task achievement

Coherence and cohesion

Lexical resource

Grammatical range and accuracy.

Task 2 responses are assessed on:

Task response

Coherence and cohesion

Lexical resource

Grammatical range and accuracy.

Performance descriptors
Task 1
Task achievement
This assesses how appropriately, accurately and relevantly the response fulfils the requirements set out in the task, using the minimum of 150 words. General Training Writing Task 1 is a writing task with a largely predictable output in that each task sets out the context and purpose of the letter and the functions the test taker should cover in order to achieve this purpose.

Coherence and cohesion
This assesses the overall clarity and fluency of the message: how the response organises and links information, ideas and language. Coherence refers to the linking of ideas through logical sequencing. Cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive devices (for example, logical connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) to assist in making the conceptual and referential relationships between and within sentences clear.

Lexical resource
This refers to the range of vocabulary the test takers have used and the accuracy and appropriacy of use in terms of the specific task.

Grammatical range and accuracy
This refers to the range and accurate use of grammar, as manifested in the test takers' sentence writing.
Task 2
Task response
In both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training versions, Task 2 requires test takers to formulate and develop a position in relation to a question or statement. Ideas should be supported by evidence, and examples may be drawn from the test takers' own experience. Responses must be at least 250 words in length. Scripts under the required minimum word limit will be penalised.

The other three assessment criteria (Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy) are the same for Task 1 and Task 2.

Test format - Speaking (11-14 minutes)

The speaking section assesses your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded.

Part 1 - the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.

Part 2 - you will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.

Part 3 - you will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.

IELTS Speaking description

Paper format: The Speaking test consists of an oral interview between the test takers' and an examiner. All Speaking tests are recorded.

Timing: 11-14 minutes

Task types: There are three parts to the test and each part fulfils a specific function in terms of interaction pattern, task input and test takers output.

IELTS Speaking in detail

A detailed look at the paper with links to related resources.

Part 1 - Introduction and interview

Task type and format: In this part, the examiner introduces him/herself and checks the test takers' identity. They then ask the test takers general questions on some familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies and interests. To ensure consistency, questions are taken from a script. Part 1 lasts for 4-5 minutes.

Task focus: This part of the test focuses on the ability to communicate opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences or situations by answering a range of questions.

No. of questions: Variable

Part 2 - Long turn

Task type and format: Part 2 is the individual long turn. The examiner gives the test takers a task card which asks the test takers to talk about a particular topic, includes points to cover in their talk and instructs the test takers to explain one aspect of the topic. Test takers are given one minute to prepare their talk, and are given a pencil and paper to make notes. The examiner asks the test takers to talk for 1 to 2 minutes, stops the test takers after 2 minutes, and asks one or two questions on the same topic.

Using the points on the task card effectively, and making notes during the preparation time, will help the test takers think of appropriate things to say, structure their talk, and keep talking for 2 minutes. Part 2 lasts 3-4 minutes, including the preparation time.

Task focus: This part of the test focuses on the ability to speak at length on a given topic (without further prompts from the examiner), using appropriate language and organising ideas coherently. It is likely that the test takers will need to draw on their own experience to complete the long turn.

No. of questions: Variable

Part 3 - Discussion

Task type and format: In Part 3, the examiner and the test takers discuss issues related to the topic in Part 2 in a more general and abstract way and, where appropriate, in greater depth. Part 3 lasts 4-5 minutes.

Task focus: This part of the test focuses on the ability to express and justify opinions and to analyse, discuss and speculate about issues.

No. of questions: Variable

IELTS Speaking - How it's marked

Marking and assessment

Speaking performances are assessed by certificated IELTS examiners. All IELTS examiners hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as examiners by the test centres and approved by the British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia.

Scores are reported in whole and half bands. Detailed performance descriptors have been developed which describe spoken performance at the nine IELTS bands. These are available on the How IELTS is scored page.

Fluency and coherence
This refers to the ability to talk with normal levels of continuity, rate and effort and to link ideas and language together to form coherent, connected speech. The key indicators of fluency are speech rate and speech continuity. The key indicators of coherence are logical sequencing of sentences, clear marking of stages in a discussion, narration or argument, and the use of cohesive devices (e.g. connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) within and between sentences.

Lexical resource
This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary used and the precision with which meanings and attitudes can be expressed. The key indicators are the variety of words used, the adequacy and appropriacy of the words used and the ability to circumlocute (get round a vocabulary gap by using other words) with or without noticeable hesitation.

Grammatical range and accuracy
This refers to the range and the accurate and appropriate use of the test takers' grammatical resource. The key indicators of grammatical range are the length and complexity of the spoken sentences, the appropriate use of subordinate clauses, and the range of sentence structures, especially to move elements around for information focus. The key indicators of grammatical accuracy are the number of grammatical errors in a given amount of speech and the communicative effect of error.

Pronunciation
This criterion refers to the ability to produce comprehensible speech to fulfil the Speaking test requirements. The key indicators will be the amount of strain caused to the listener, the amount of the speech which is unintelligible and the noticeability of L1 influence.

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Read the test format for IELTS Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

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El examen TOEFL iBT ® consiste en 4 secciones: Reading, Listening, Speaking y Writing. Durante el examen, deberá realizar tareas que combinan estas 4 habilidades de comunicación en inglés, por ejemplo:

Leer, escuchar y después hablar para responder a una pregunta.

Escuchar y después hablar para responder a una pregunta.

Leer, escuchar y después escribir para responder a una pregunta.

El examen completo se rinde en aproximadamente 3 horas, pero debería planificar 3 horas y media, y permitir 30 minutos para el proceso de registro.

Información general

Reading

De 54 a 72 minutos

De 30 a 40 preguntas

Leer párrafos y responder preguntas

Listening

De 41 a 57 minutos

De 28 a 39 preguntas

Responder preguntas sobre lecturas cortas o debates en clase

Speaking

17 minutos

4 tareas

Hablar sobre un tema familiar y debatir sobre el material que usted leyó y escuchó

Writing

50 minutos

2 tareas

Leer un párrafo, luego escuchar una grabación y escribir su respuesta

Una mirada más cercana

Echemos un vistazo a cada sección del examen.

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Contenido del examen TOEFL iBT (para personas que rinden el examen)

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El examen TOEFL iBT ® consiste en 4 secciones: Reading, Listening, Speaking y Writing. Durante el examen, deberá realizar tareas que combinan estas 4 habilidades de comunicación en inglés, por ejemplo: Leer, escuchar y después hablar para responder a una pregunta. Escuchar y después hablar para responder a una pregunta.

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Realiza tu matrícula para los exámenes oficiales de idiomas en examenexam.com
Realizar matrícula
Si estabas preparando algún examen oficial de inglés para realizar durante esta primavera, te habrás visto afectado por la suspensión de las pruebas en este periodo de estado de alarma. Quizá puede ser un buen momento para seguir estudiando y avanzando a un nuevo nivel o profundizando en el tuyo para cuando todo vuelva a empezar a funcionar. De todas formas, algunos exámenes oficiales comienzan a anunciar su adaptación a las nuevas circunstancias.

En el artículo de hoy te vamos a explicar qué títulos de inglés puedes obtener en estos momentos, sin salir de casa, y las peculiaridades de cada uno de ellos. Estaremos atentos sobre posibles nuevos cambios y os lo haremos saber.

Certifica tu inglés desde casa con LanguageCert

Se trata de la primera certificación oficial de inglés que permite a los alumnos obtener un título oficial de inglés desde casa sin necesidad de acudir a ningún centro físico. Examinarse a distancia y en casa, donde te podrás conectar y realizar la prueba de la forma más cómoda, es una de las novedades que introdujo esta certificación para este curso 2019-2020 y durante este tiempo de permanencia en los hogares sin poder salir, se convierte en una de las opciones viables para poner a prueba tus conocimientos de la lengua inglesa y obtener un certificado por ello.

Por si no la conoces, la certificación LanguageCert International ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), del Grupo PeopleCert, supone un marco de convalidación de conocimientos sobre la lengua inglesa adaptado a los nuevos tiempos. Ofrece las herramientas más adaptadas al entorno de aprendizaje de idiomas que existe en la actualidad, introduciendo contextos comunicativos reales que te ayudarán a desarrollar tus habilidades de expresión, a la vez que incrementas tu dominio de la gramática. La organización dispone de más de 10.000 localizaciones de examen y te ofrece la posibilidad de realizarlos de forma remota con total control y calidad, gracias a la implementación de las tecnologías Online Proctoring e Instant Scan & Mark.

Se trata de un certificado específico para todos aquellos que deseen e studiar, trabajar o viajar a cualquier parte del mundo. La mayor novedad de LanguageCert es que se obtienen dos certificados al realizar esta prueba, ya que el examen escrito y el examen oral son independientes.

Las características de este examen son:

Ofrece una metodología de aprendizaje enfocada en el desarrollo de las habilidades de expresión, especialmente.

Establece un sistema de evaluación en el que los exámenes escritos y orales se articulan por separado.

Analizar los resultados con bastante rapidez y emite los certificados digitales y en papel de igual modo, 10 días después de la fecha de examen.

Esta prueba evaluará tu nivel de comprensión y expresión en función de cuatro criterios fundamentales: Reading, Writing, Listening y Speaking.

Los niveles de esta prueba son:

Realizar el examen de cada nivel y superarlo supone adquirir nuevas destrezas en diferentes situaciones de la vida social y profesional. Deberás ir poco a poco y de forma escalonada para ir consiguiendo los conocimientos específicos de cada nivel.

Lo característico de estas pruebas de nivel es la flexibilidad. Podrás afrontar los exámenes y cubrir los temarios oficiales a tu propio ritmo, en la medida que te lo permitan el resto de tus obligaciones personales o profesionales.

Los exámenes escritos y orales se realizan de forma separada, y la superación de las pruebas asociadas a cada ámbito te da la oportunidad de conseguir dos certificados diferentes. Además, la realización de estas pruebas son más frecuentes que en otras certificaciones, aunque, de todas formas, tienen lugar bajo la demanda de los centros oficiales inscritos en el programa.

Las pruebas de Listening duran 20 minutos aproximadamente, se trata de un tiempo considerable que garantiza la inmersión total en el tema que podrás elegir cuando te examines. Los ejercicios de Reading y de Writing se realizan en un tiempo aproximado de 80 minutos.

En el examen escrito se evalúa tu comprensión auditiva mediante la realización de las pruebas de Listening, así como la comprensión de distintos fragmentos de lectura y tu capacidad de expresión escrita. Fíjate en las características de esta parte de la prueba:

Se calificará la comprensión auditiva, lectora y expresión escrita.

Los exámenes no tienen límite de tiempo, el alumno puede gestionarse el tiempo como desee.

A diferencia de otras pruebas, el vocabulario y la gramática se evalúan de forma global, no de forma separada.

La nota mínima que debe obtenerse para conseguir el aprobado es el 50% del global. No existen umbrales específicos por sección.

La evaluación de tus conocimientos sobre gramática y vocabulario tiene lugar en las diferentes secciones de comprensión auditiva, en la lectura de textos adaptados al nivel del examen y mediante la redacción de fragmentos de texto en inglés relacionados con el resto de ejercicios, sean del tipo que sean.

El examen oral se centra en evaluar tu capacidad de expresión oral. Esta suele estar determinada por el nivel de gramática y de comprensión auditiva. Las caracerísticas de esta prueba son las siguientes:

Cada entrevista es dirigida y grabada por un interlocutor de LanguageCert. El objetivo es ofrecerte la máxima parcialidad y, en caso de que no estés conforme,siempre tendrás la opción de solicitar una nueva revisión por parte de otro miembro del equipo examinador de la certificación.

La nota mínima es un 50% para superar esta parte del examen.

Y con respecto al tiempo de validez de tu certificado, en principio, una vez obtenida la certificación en alguno de los niveles vistos anteriormente, esta no expira. Sin embargo, es posible que ciertos centros educativos adscritos te requieran la revalidación de ciertas secciones para continuar confirmando que posees la titulación y, especialmente, el nivel que esta te acredita.

Linguaskill: la prueba de inglés que Cambridge ha desarrollado para que te certifiques desde casa

Por si no lo conoces, Linguaskill se trata de una de las herramientas que nos pone a disposición la Universidad de Cambridge para certificar un nivel de inglés. Consiste exactamente un test de inglés con resultados seguros en tan solo 48 horas. En este caso no tienes que prepararte para ningún nivel específico, sino que se trata de una prueba multinivel que podrás realizar a través de un ordenador. Como candidato al título tú mismo puedes elegir de qué quieres examinarte en cuanto a destrezas para certificar con este test. Por ejemplo, puedes elegir realizar el Speaking o la parte que pueda hacerte falta en algún momento determinado. O si lo prefieres, realizar todas las destrezas y obtener tu certificado completo.

De manera general, este examen ha podido hacerse siempre de forma individual o en grupo, pero ahora, por medidas de seguridad y de salud, debes quedarte en casa y hacerlo desde allí. Para eso solo tienes que elegir la fecha en la que quieres hacerlo y tener en cuenta lo siguiente:

Debes disponer de un ordenador, ya sea portátil o de sobremesa. Debe tener como mínimo 15″. Es imprescindible que tengas una web cam para poder realizar estas pruebas.

Debes tener conexión a Internet, preferiblemente con fibra óptica, ya que es lo que te garantizará que la información se envíe correctamente a Cambridge. De todas formas, si tu conexión a Internet es buena, asegúrate, realiza el examen igualmente.

Es imprescindible disponer de auriculares y micrófono para que tanto el Listening como el Speaking se realicen con total normalidad. De esta forma podrán ser evaluadas tus pruebas.

Realizarás el examen en una habitación amplia, con buena luz y con un espacio de trabajo que te permita realizar la prueba sin dificultad. Eso sí, tienes que estar solo en esa habitación e intentar que sea lo más silenciosa posible. Aunque uses los auriculares, esto te evitará posibles distracciones y que no puedas enterarte bien de las instrucciones y pruebas.

Además, ten en cuenta las medidas que Cambridge va a tomar para que puedas realizar el examen desde tu casa:

Tanto en el proceso de matriculación, como durante la realización del examen, un sistema de reconocimiento facial hará todas las comprobaciones.

Un software basado en inteligencia artificial se encargará de informar al centro examinador del comportamiento del candidato en todo momento.

Fíjate en todas las ventajas que tienes y que te garantizan esta prueba. Lo primero es que es un test reconocido por la prestigiosa Universidad de Cambirdge, además de estar reconocido por CRUE y ACLES para Erasmus, Grado y Master; es válido para sumar méritos en las oposiciones de Secundaria en cualquiera de las comunidades autónomas, hasta este momento, y, de forma general, es importante para tu curriculum. Tienes la posibilidad de tener un informe oficial en 48 horas y recuerda que si en algún módulo no has obtenido una buena nota, podrás repetirlo para subirla, cuando quieras.

Es una prueba que puede hacerla cualquier persona, pero los que mayor beneficio pueden sacarle son:

Estudiantes: la mayoría de las universidades españolas aceptan Linguaskill a la hora de cumplir con los requisitos de Erasmus, posgrado y graduación. Puede servir para poder graduarte demostrando un nivel, para poder irte con una beca a estudiar a un país extranjero o si en una universidad te piden como requisito de ingreso un determinado nivel, con este test puedes demostrar en un momento determinado que lo tienes. Aquí tienes toda la información general: https://elblogdeidiomas.es/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/538652-linguaskill-writing-trial-report.pdf

Universidades: si como profesor de universidad necesitas medir el nivel de inglés de un candidato para procesos de admisión, evaluar el progreso en el aprendizaje o para graduarse, Linguaskill puede ayudarte a hacerlo de forma rápida y precisa. Para las universidades está dando muy buen resultado también, ya que de forma rápida les permite medir el nivel de inglés de sus candidatos, los que no tengan el título oficial. En este contexto, también para las empresas, podemos adelantarte de forma global cómo es Linguaskill. Optarías en estos casos por hacer la prueba general, así que recuerda que evaluarán el lenguaje que se utiliza en la vida diaria, para cualquier proceso de selección. Esto hace que la prueba se pueda adaptar a muchos perfiles y necesidades. Los temas fundamentales que suelen tratarse son el trabajo, los estudios, los viajes, tecnología, planes de futuro, etc. Aquí tienes toda la información general: https://elblogdeidiomas.es/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/538653-linguaskill-writing-trial-report.pdf

Empresas: se puede utilizar Linguaskill durante los procesos de selección y promoción, para garantizar que el candidato presenta las competencias lingüísticas adecuadas para un puesto de trabajo, o para evaluar la eficacia de los programas de formación interna de inglés. En este caso es posible disponer de dos opciones: Linguaskill General y Linguaskill Business, dependiendo de si el puesto de trabajo requiere un nivel de inglés corporativo o simplemente de un uso cotidiano.

Aunque se trate de un test que te proporciona resultados rápidos, no deja de ser por ello un examen muy completo que garantiza el conocimiento general de la lengua inglesa. Para ello debes hacer las pruebas relativas a los distintos módulos, que son:

El Writing de LinguaSkill:

Aquí debes demostrar tu nivel de inglés escrito. Se realizan dos pruebas de 45 minutos en total en las que debes demostrar tu nivel en esta competencia específica. En la siguiente tabla tienes detalladas las características de esta prueba:

Parte uno
Los candidatos leen un texto breve, habitualmente un email. Tienen que utilizar la información del texto y los tres puntos que se enumeran para escribir un email de al menos 50 palabras. Los candidatos deberían emplear unos 15 minutos en esta tarea. Parte dos
Los candidatos leen un texto breve que describe una escena y responden utilizando la información que se ha proporcionado y los tres puntos que se enumeran. Se pide una carta o informe de al menos 180 palabras. Los candidatos deberían emplear unos 30 minutos en esta tarea.

El Speaking de LinguaSkill:

Aquí deberás usar el micrófono y los auriculares, ya que tendrás que grabarte hablando en inglés. Te realizarán un par de preguntas que posteriormente van a evaluar dos examinadores. Medirán tu destreza en la expresión oral, vocabulario, fluidez, etc.

Duración: 15 minutos (5 Partes)

La parte de Reading and Listening:

Con una duración aproximada de unos 60 - 80 minutos, tendrás que realizar las siete partes de la prueba, con las que controlarán qué capacidad de escucha tienes, además de evaluar tu fluidez en la lectura de textos muy distintos. Lo bueno y novedoso de este examen es que la prueba se realliza mediante la última tecnología en inteligencia artificial, adaptando las dificultades del examen al candidato. Es decir, no hay un número de preguntas concretas, sino que te lanzan una primera y desde aquí, mientras las vayas contestando bien, te seguirán realizando preguntas cada vez más complicadas. Si tu respuesta es incorrecta bajan el nivel, hasta poder calibrar exactamente dónde te encuentras, qué nivel es el que tienes.

Fíjate bien en el siguiente cuadro, en el que queda todo explicado de forma visual:

Leer y seleccionar
Los candidatos leen un aviso, diagrama, letrero, memorándum o carta que contiene un breve texto y eligen la oración o frase que más se acerca al significado del texto. Hay tres posibles respuestas. Frases con espacios en blancoLos candidatos leen una frase en la que falta una palabra (espacio en blanco) y eligen la palabra adecuada para rellenar ese espacio en blanco. Hay cuatro opciones por cada espacio en blanco. Espacios en blanco con opción múltipleLos candidatos eligen la palabra o frase adecuada para rellenar los espacios en blanco de un texto. Hay cuatro opciones por cada espacio en blanco. Espacios en blanco con respuesta abiertaLos candidatos leen un breve texto en el que faltan algunas palabras y escriben la palabra que se ha omitido en cada espacio en blanco. Lectura ampliada Los candidatos leen un texto más largo y responden a varias preguntas con opción múltiple. Las preguntas siguen el mismo orden que la información en el texto.

Tipos de preguntas - Tareas del módulo Listening:

Escuchar y seleccionar
Los candidatos escuchan una breve grabación de audio y responden a preguntas de opción múltiple con tres posibles opciones. Escucha ampliada
Los candidatos escuchan una grabación más larga y responden a varias preguntas de opción múltiple que se apoyan en ella. Las preguntas siguen el mismo orden que la información que escuchan en la grabación

El conocido examen de inglés internacional TOEFL IBT:

ETS, líder global en evaluación educativa y soluciones de aprendizaje, ha anunciado la presentación de una nueva solución desde casa para el examen TOEFL Ibt para los examinandos que se hayan visto afectados por la pandemia del coronavirus (COVID-19). Los exámenes contarán con supervisión humana remota proporcionada por ProctorU, la solución líder en supervisión para exámenes en línea. ETS está tomando todas las precauciones para asegurarse de que cuando realices este examen desde casa se cumpla con los estándares más altos de validez, fiabilidad y seguridad. Estos exámenes emplearán varias medidas de seguridad de primera clase que utilizan tanto supervisión humana en tiempo real como tecnología de inteligencia artificial para ver y dar respuesta incluso a los incidentes más difíciles de detectar.

El examen TOEFL Ibt Special Home Edition, comenzó a realizarse desde casa a partir del pasado jueves 26 de marzo. La inscripción en línea dio comienzo el pasado lunes 23 de marzo en los siguientes países y regiones administrativas: Estados Unidos, Canadá, Colombia, Francia, Alemania, Italia, España, Hong Kong (China) y Macao (China).

Estas soluciones desde casa son idénticas a los exámenes TOEFL iBT hecho en un centro de exámenes en cuanto a contenido, formato, experiencia en pantalla, puntuación y precio. Todas las características específicas de esta prueba en un centro de exámenes estarán disponibles en esta solución para que te resulte igual de cómodo y sencillo examinarte desde casa..

Tendrás la oportunidad de elegir entre numerosas horas de examen todas las semanas para encontrar la hora que más te convenga y te vaya mejor en tu calendario. La inscripción está abierta para fechas de examinación hasta junio de 2020. ETS seguirá evaluando la situación para determinar si se añadirán fechas adicionales de examen.

Por si no sabías en qué consiste este examen, se trata de un examen a nivel universitario. Mide tu capacidad de utilizar y de entender el inglés en dicho entorno. Además, evalúa cómo combinas tus habilidades auditivas, orales, de lectura y de escritura para desarrollar tareas académicas. Se trata del examen de inglés de mayor preferencia de las universidades en los Estados Unidos, Francia y Alemania, y de los programas de posgrado en Canadá. Las preguntas del examen combinan Reading, Listening, Speaking y Writing skills, al igual que en un aula académica. Estudiar para el examen TOEFL te ayuda a garantizar que podrás llegar mejor preparado a la universidad, en comparación con otras personas que no han tomado el examen. Tiene una duración aproximada de 3 horas y media, con una pausa de únicamente 10 minutos entre las dos primeras partes y las dos últimas. Fíjate bien en las características de cada parte:

Reading (duración: 60-100 minutos): consiste en la lectura de entre 3 y 5 textos y contestar a entre 36 y 70 preguntas sobre los mismos. Las preguntas suelen ser de respuesta múltiple.

Listening (duración: 60-90 minutos): se compone de entre 34 y 51 preguntas sobre varias grabaciones de clases universitarias, debates sobre materias académicas y conversaciones, siempre en el ámbito universitario americano.

Speaking (duración: 20 minutos): está formada por 6 ejercicios agrupados en 3 bloques. En el primer bloque se nos pide que hables de algún tema cotidiano por un tiempo de 45 segundos. Lo peor de esta parte está en ser capaz de organizar un discurso de esa longitud en un tiempo de preparación muy corto, unos 15 segundos desde que se conoce el tema sobre el que hay que hablar hasta el comienzo de tu discurso. En el segundo bloque te darán un texto para leer en 45 segundos. Seguidamente el texto desaparece y escucharás una conversación sobre el tema que se trataba en el texto. Finalmente te piden que expongas en un pequeño discurso el tema tratado, usando la información tanto del texto como de la conversación. Hay que hablar durante un tiempo de 1 minuto y para organizar las ideas tienes tan solo 30 segundos. Por último, en el tercer bloque escucharás una conversación entre dos personas o parte de una clase universitaria. A continuación te harán una pregunta específica sobre algo que has escuchado, a la que tenemos que contestar durante un tiempo de 1 minuto, teniendo 20 segundos para organizar las ideas y preparar el discurso.

Writing (duración: 50 minutos): evalúa la expresión escrita en dos ejercicios. En el primero, te dan un texto que puedes leer durante un tiempo limitado (unos 3 minutos). Después el texto desaparece y escucharás una conversación sobre el tema tratado en el mismo. Tras esto tienes 20 minutos para escribir una redacción de entre 150 y 225 palabras que recoja de forma clara y ordenada la información de la lectura y la conversación. En el segundo ejercicio dispones de 30 minutos para escribir un artículo de opinión de un mínimo de 300 palabras sobre un tema específico.

Las calificaciones se realizan únicamente a través de una red centralizada de calificación. En las secciones Speaking y Writing se emplean múltiples calificadores humanos que no conocen las identidades de las personas que han realizado el examen, junto con la calificación AI. Esto evita la parcialidad que puede ocurrir en otros exámenes que usan una entrevista en persona con un solo calificador, demanera que se pierde la objetividad completa a la hora de calificar.

Fíjate en el sistema de calificación tan especial de esta prueba:

Debes saber que obtendrás una nota media por cada una de las secciones, todas son independientes.

El nivel promedio de habilidad en idioma inglés que se necesita para obtener este certificado, como puedes comprobar, se encuentra entre Intermedio y Avanzado. Está dirigido especialemnte a:

Estudiantes que desean estudiar en una institución de educación superior.

Admisiones al programa de English Language Learning.

Candidatos para becas y certificaciones.

Alumnos de inglés que desean controlar su progreso.

Estudiantes y trabajadores que solicitan visas.

Diferencias entre los exámenes oficiales que puedes hacer desde casa:

Si tienes en mente realizar algún examen oficial de inglés para reconocer tus conocimientos de esta lengua, no te preocupes porque también durante el estado de alarma en el que po puedes salir de casa podrás hacerlo. Son ya algunos certificados que ofrecen esta opción, LanguageCert, Linguaskill y TOEFL Ibt. Evidenetemente, cada uno con sus peculiaridades básicas y sus carcaterísticas definitorias de sus pruebas, pero todos tienen en común que durante este tiempo disponen de un sistema remoto para examinar a todo el que quiera hacerlo durante estos días.

Nos ha parecido muy acertado ayudarte a decidirte, mediante la comparación de dichas pruebas. De esta forma, solo tienes que leer este artículo y posteriormente decidir qué te convien más, qué se adapta mejor a tus necesidades y circunstancias y ponerte manos a la obra para realizar el examen. Así que sigue leyendo, vamos por partes para que te resulte más ordenado comparar los distintos títulos.

Qué evalúan estos certificados: cada uno de ellos tiene una finalidad distinta, por tanto, evalúan de forma específica algo diferente al resto. Mientras que LanguageCert se trata de un examen que va dirigido especialmemte a todos aquellos que por circunstancias deseen que sean evaluadas sus habilidades de expresión y comunicación, Linguaskill te permite que evalúes la destreza que tú elijas. Sin embargo, TOEFL Ibt lo que hace es medir tu capacidad, en todas las destrezas, de poder desenvolverte en el ámbito universitario. Es decir, LenguaCert es un certificado que te sirve para trabajar, estudiar o viajar, y por eso le da mayor énfasis a la parte de expresión tanto oral como escrita; Linguaskill te permite obetener un certificado completo o por habilidades, según quieras, ya que está destinado a estudiantes, universidades o empresas, y TOEFL Ibt también lo evalúa todo, pero en un contexto académico, ya que está destinado especialmente a estudiantes que necesiten o deseen ingresar en alguna universidad extranjera, obtener becas, etc.

Aunque cualquier de los tres certificados puede obtenerse para abrirse camino en el ámbito académico, TOEFL Ibt es el más específico y adecuado para ello. Es el más completo y el más riguroso en este ámbito. Ojo, eso no le quita mérito a los anteriores, pero son diferentes. LanguageCert no es tan específico pero sí que permite mostrar que eres capaz de desenvolverte de forma general en cuanto expresión y, por tanto, también podrás hacerlo en el ámbito académico. Linguaskill sí puede ser que alguna universidad te lo solicite y que tengas que hacerlo antes de ingresar, incluso puedes hacerlo en la misma universidad, pero puedes informarte antes si lo deseas para esto y elegir bien tu prueba.

En cuanto a los niveles, debes saber que LanguageCert se trata de una prueba que contempla todos los niveles propios del Marco Común Europeo, desde el nivel A1 al C2. Linguaskill no te examina de niveles concretos, por el contrario, sino que se trata de una prueba multinivel que se va adaptando a lo que el alumno sabe y a partir de aquí se determinará qué nivel tienes. Y TOEFL Ibt se realiza para los niveles medios y superiores, ya que son los que te permitirán desarrollarte de una manera adecuada en un entorno universitario.

Las titulaciones tienen un tiempo para enviarlas y recibirlas cuando te examines, pero cada certificación lo hace de una manera específica y es bueno saberlo, para adaptarte a las necesidades. En LanguageCert tardan aproximadamentre 10 días en llegarte, y podrás recibir dos certificaciones, ya que se trata de una prueba escrita y otra oral que van completamente separadas. En Linguaskill las certificaciones tardan 48 horas desde que realizas el examen y en TOEFL Ibt suelen enviarse 11 días después de realizar el examen. De todas formas, con estas condiciones tan especiales que tenemos actualmente debes preguntar directamente ya que puede ser que ahora mismo el envío de certificados en papel esté completamente paralizado.

La distribución de las partes generales del examen son completamente difrentes, fíjate bien: LenguaCert, como hemos explicado anteriormente, separa la parte oral de la escrita, emitiendo hasta dos certificados completamente diferentes. Ofrece las cuatro competencias, Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing, pero Listening, Reading y Writing forman un conjunto, separado al Speaking. Por su parte, Linguaskill, tiene separadas también las cuatro destrezas y tú decides si las haces todas, cada una de ellas separadas, o eliges si hacer solo una específica o algunas. TOEFL Ibt tiene las cuatro destrezas y hay que realizarlas todas para que puedas obtener tu certificado.

Listening: fíjate bien en las características y diferencias de esta prueba en las distintas certificaciones. En LanguageCert se le dedica un tiempo de 20 minutos y consiste en la inmersión en un tema que escoges antes de examinarte. Pero es una parte que está completamente ligada al Reading y al Writing, ya que estos últimos están relacionados con entre sí y obtendrás la nota global de estas tres partes juntas, la cual forma el 50 % de la nota total de tu certificado. Y desde estas mismas pruebas evalúan tus conocimientos de gramática y de vocabulario. En Linguaskill ocurre algo similar entre el Listening y el Reading, forman una sola prueba que tiene un tiempo de entre 60-80 minutos. Es un examen que se irá adapatando en dificultad a tu nivel y según vayas contestando las primeras preguntas, te irá enviando las siguientes para que puedas hacerlas según lo que controlas. Se trata de una prueba de leer y seleccionar, de escuchar y seleccionar. En TOEFL Ibt, sin embargo, se trata de una prueba independiente que podrás realizar en 60-90 minutos aproximadamente y que estará completamente relacionada con el ámbito universitario. Deberás contestar entre 34 a 51 preguntas.

Hemos dicho que en LenguaCert, tendrás que hacer Reading y Wrinting juntos en 80 minutos aproximadamente y que junto al Listening, con el que está relacionado, ocupa un 50 % de la nota. En Linguaskill, has visto que el Reading se une al Listening y el Writing es una prrueba propia, de 45 minutos, que se divide en dos actividades: en 15 minutos tendrás que redactar un mail de unas 50 palabras, correspondiendo este el 50% de esta nota, y en 30 minutos tendrás que redactar un texto largo, de unas 180 palabras, con un equivalente de la nota del otro 50 % para esta parte. En TOEFL Ibt son dos pruebas diferentes: por una parte, el Writing consta de 50 minutos de tiempo y se trata de un ejercicio de leer tres minutos y escuchar una conversación, a partir de los cuales deberás redactar un texto de entre 150-225 palabras, un segundo ejercicio de 30 minutos de duración de un mínimo de 300 palabras y se trata de la redacción de un artículo de opinión. Sin embargo, el Reading es independiente y se trata de una prueba de entre 60 a 100 minutos, de entre 3 y 5 textos y unas entre 36 y 70 preguntas con respuesta múltiple.

La prueba del Speaking para LenguaCert se trata de realizar una entrevista grabada con el examinador, con un total del 50 % del valor de la nota del examen. En Linguaskill se trata de unos 15 minutos con distintos ejercicios: 8 preguntas a responder que tienen un valor del 20 %, 8 frases para leer con un valor del 20 % de la nota, hablar un minuto con 40 segundos de preparación y vale un 20 % de la nota, vista de gráficos y hablar sobre ellos con 5 minutos de preparación, además de contestar a 5 preguntas, con un equivalente al 20 % de la nota. En el TOEFL Ibt, esta prueba se trata de una prueba de 20 minutos con 6 ejercicios en tres bloques: en el primero se habla de un tema cotidiano durante 45 segundos con una preparación de 15 segundos. El segundo se trata de leer un texto en 45 segundos y escuchar una conversación para después hablar sobre ello en un minuto. En la tercera parte se trata de escuchar una conversación relacionada con el ámbito universitario y respodner a una pregunta en un minuto con 20 segundos de preparación.

-Los exámenes normalmente se hacen de forma presencial, excepto LanguageCert que este año introdujo de forma general la posibilidad de realizarlo desde casa. Linguaskill se ha adaptado a esta circunstancias especiales igual que el TOEFL Ibt.

-Los tres exámenes disponen de un sistema bastante organizado para realizar los examenes desde casa, que te irán informando de forma privada cuando contactes con ellos. Sin embargo, en Linguaskill te harán una reconocimiento facial previo mediante fotografías, debes saberlo; durante todo el sistema de matriculación también serás reconocido.

No te hemos hablado de las calificaciones de TOEFL Ibt, ya que tienen un sistema bastante peculiar y diferente al resto de exámenes. Mientras que Linguaskill y LanguageCert tiene un porrcentaje para cada prueba, fíjate cómo lo hace TOEFL Ibt:

Hasta aquí nuestro repaso a los principales exámenes que te permiten certificar tu nivel de inglés desde tu casa. ¡Esperamos que te haya sido útil la información! Nos vemos en las redes viajer@s.

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Exámenes oficiales de inglés que puedes hacer desde casa - Elblogdeidiomas.es

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Realiza tu matrícula para los exámenes oficiales de idiomas en examenexam.com Realizar matrícula Si estabas preparando algún examen oficial de inglés para realizar durante esta primavera, te habrás visto afectado por la suspensión de las pruebas en este periodo de estado de alarma.

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Preparing for Linguaskill

We have a range of resources to help candidates who are preparing for a Linguaskill test. Our resources will help you:

Familiarise yourself with the test

Free online sample tests

Use these online sample tests to familiarise yourself with the types of questions used on Linguaskill. These sample tests do not provide a result or save your answers.

Note: The Reading and Listening sample test is not adaptive and is shorter than a real test. The Speaking sample test requires a headphone set and microphone.

Preparation videos

Watch our series of preparation videos.

Top Tips

Read our top tips for Linguaskill, created by our assessment specialists to give you the best chance of succeeding in your test:

Top tips videos

This video series provides tips on how best to prepare for Linguaskill, and what to expect during the tests.

Official Quick Guide to Linguaskill

The official test preparation companion, the Linguaskill Quick Guide includes:

10 hours of familiarisation and practice of the test

information on the test structure and examples of every question type in the test

hints and tips on how to succeed in the test.

Free online practice tests

Our practice tests help you get comfortable with the format and layout of the test while also providing you with feedback on the responses you have entered. You can take these practice tests as many times as you like.

Note: Linguaskill is an adaptive test that changes the questions based on your answers, to provide you with a score. Our practice tests are not adaptive - there are three tests available, at elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Important information - please clear the cache on your computer before taking these practice tests, this will refresh the data that may have previously been entered.

Reading and Listening practice tests

Writing sample responses

We have examples of Writing responses for each level and test section. They demonstrate the content that needs to be written in order to achieve the different levels. Examiner commentary is given to explain the reasons behind why each level was achieved.

Writing assessment criteria

The Linguaskill Writing Assessment Criteria are a useful guide for teachers and students who want to understand more about how the writing test is assessed. However, please note that the writing test is marked using our AI Marker. This technology allows us to assess against a wider range of CEFR descriptors than is possible to include in examiner marked assessment criteria.
Linguaskill writing assessment criteria

Writing Practice

Want to practise your written English? Write & Improve gives you feedback in seconds.

This free online tool includes specific Linguaskill Business-related writing topics, it is a fantastic way to improve your writing skills.

Speaking Practice

Speak and Improve is a great way to practise your speaking skills and get used to the experience of taking an online speaking test like Linguaskill.

Learn and improve your English

Cambridge English Empower

Cambridge English Empower is a general course that covers all levels of the CEFR. You can choose a course to suit your needs, from A1-C1.
View a sample of the Empower book
A recommended course for Linguaskill, Empower offers:

a six-level, 80-120-hour English course

task types similar to those in Linguaskill, so candidates will be familiar with the question types

clear and easy off-the-page teaching

both online and offline resources.

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Resources to help you practice and prepare for the Linguaskill test, including online sample tests and tools, tips, videos and courses.

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The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.

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Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

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Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) - www.coe.int

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The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (CEFR) is exactly what its title says it is: a framework of reference. It was designed to provide a transparent, coherent and comprehensive basis for the elaboration of language syllabuses and curriculum guideli…

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Pruebas de certificación - EOI - Generalitat Valenciana

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PRUEBAS PARA LA OBTENCIÓN DE CERTIFICADOS OFICIALES EN IDIOMAS

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Accedeix a " Pla d'educació digital de Catalunya (PEDC)"

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Portal de Educación de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla - La Mancha

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Modelos de pruebas correspondientes a las actividades de lengua de comprensión de textos orales y escritos. Las correspondientes a las actividades de producción y coproducción de textos orales y escritos y mediación escrita se encuentran disponibles en el curso 2019 (niveles B1, B2 y C1).

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Modelos de pruebas de certificación de nivel

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Modelos de pruebas de certificación de nivel

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EOI Santander > Pruebas de Certificación > Modelos de pruebas

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Modelos de pruebas de certificación para población escolar

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Usted tiene javascript desactivado por lo que algunos elementos de la página puede que no funcionen correctamente. Modelos de pruebas de certificación para población escolar Este portal web utiliza cookies propias y de terceros para recopilar información que ayuda a optimizar su visita. Las cookies no se utilizan para recoger información de carácter personal.

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Modelos de pruebas

Para facilitar la búsqueda de documentos:

Buscar por palabras clave del título o del contenido del documento.

Filtrar y ordenar por varios criterios, de forma ascendente o descendente. Por ejemplo, para ver los últimos documentos publicados en primer lugar.

Clic sobre el documento: se abre en el navegador y puede descargarse e imprimirse.

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Para facilitar la búsqueda de documentos: Buscar por palabras clave del título o del contenido del documento. Filtrar y ordenar por varios criterios, de forma ascendente o descendente. Por ejemplo, para ver los últimos documentos publicados en primer lugar. Clic sobre el documento: se abre en el navegador y puede descargarse e imprimirse.

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Modelos convocatoria anterior - Consejería de Desarrollo Educativo y Formación Profesional

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Educación Permanente Accede al portal de la Consejería de Desarrollo Educativo y Formación Profesional de la Junta de Andalucía

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Probas EOI | Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Universidade

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Actualización á nova organización e características establecidas no Real decreto 1041/2017, do 22 de decembro; no Decreto 81/2018, do 19 de xullo e no Real decreto 1/2019, do 11 de xaneiro. Nota: A partir do curso 2020/21, a extensión para as respostas da mediación escrita é a seguinte: nivel interm…

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"cambridge english exam" "first certificate" "cambridge fce" "cambridge b2 exam" "cambridge b2 speaking" "cambridge b2 grammar" "fce grammar" "first certific...

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SMASH English - Cambridge English Exam Preparation

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Free Cambridge English Exam preparation for FCE (B2, First, First Certificate). On this channel you will find: 1. How to pass the Cambridge FCE B2 First Exam! 2. B2 First FCE Speaking exam preparation and advice! 3. B2 First FCE essay writing preparation and advice! 4.

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C1 Advanced is a thorough test of all areas of language ability.

The updated exam (for exam sessions from January 2015) is made up of four papers developed to test your English language skills. You can see exactly what's in each paper below.

The formats below are the same for both the paper-based and computer-based exams.

Reading and Use of English
(1 hour 30 minutes)
See sample paper

Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. Tests your use of English with different types of exercise that show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary.

2 parts

You create two different pieces of writing, such as essays, letters/emails, proposals, reports and reviews.

Tests your ability to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as interviews, radio broadcasts, presentations, talks and everyday conversations.

Speaking
(15 minutes per pair of candidates; 23 minutes per group of three)
See sample paper

4 parts

Shows you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Your Speaking test will be conducted usually face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. One of the examiners (who could be online, examining remotely) talks to you and the other examiner listens. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. Examiners may use their mobile phones for entering marks using an app.

openbook What's in the Reading and Use of English paper?

The C1 Advanced Reading and Use of English paper is in eight parts and has a mix of text types and questions.
Summary

Time allowed:

1 hour 30 minutes

Lengths of texts:

3,000-3,500 words to read in total.

Texts may be from:

Newspapers and magazines, journals, books (fiction and non-fiction), promotional and informational materials.

Part 1 (Multiple-choice cloze) Part 2 (Open cloze) Part 3 (Word formation) Part 4 (Key word transformations) Part 5 (Multiple choice) Part 6 (Cross-text multiple matching) Part 7 (Gapped text) Part 8 (Multiple matching)
compose What's in the Writing paper?

In the two parts of the C1 Advanced Writing paper, you have to show that you can write different types of text in English.
Summary

Number of questions:

Part 1: one compulsory question
Part 2: one question from a choice of three

Task types:

A range from: essay, letter/email, proposal, report, review.

Part 1 (Compulsory question) Part 2 (Situationally based writing task)
playlist What's in the Listening paper?

The C1 Advanced Listening paper has four parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice.
Summary

Recordings may be from:

Monologues: radio broadcasts, speeches, talks, lectures, anecdotes, etc.; or interacting speakers: radio broadcasts, interviews, discussions, conversations, etc.

Part 1 (Multiple choice) Part 2 (Sentence completion) Part 3 (Multiple choice) Part 4 (Multiple matching)
megaphone What's in the Speaking paper?

The C1 Advanced Speaking test has four parts and you take it together with another candidate.

There are two examiners. One of the examiners conducts the test (asks you questions, gives you the paper with things to talk about, and so on). The other examiner listens to what you say and takes notes.
Summary Part 1 (Interview) Part 2 (Long turn) Part 3 (Collaborative task) Part 4 (Discussion)

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What is in the C1 Advanced exam? Information about the Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking papers for computer and paper-based tests.

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B2 First is a test of all areas of language ability.

The updated exam (for exam sessions from January 2015) is made up of four papers developed to test your English language skills. You can see exactly what's in each paper below.

The Speaking test is taken face to face, with two candidates and two examiners. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to use English to communicate.

The formats below are the same for both the paper-based and computer-based exams.

Reading and Use of English (1 hour 15 minutes)
See sample paper

Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. Tests your use of English with tasks that show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary.

2 parts

Requires you to be able to produce two different pieces of writing, such as letters, reports, reviews and essays.

Requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as news programmes, presentations and everyday conversations.

Speaking
(14 minutes per pair of candidates; 20 minutes per group of three)
See sample paper

4 parts

Shows how good your spoken English is as you take part in conversation by asking/answering questions and discussing topics. Your Speaking test will be face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. One of the examiners (who could be online, examining remotely) talks to you and the other examiner listens. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. Examiners may use their mobile phones for entering marks using an app.

openbook What's in the Reading and Use of English paper?

The B2 First Reading and Use of English paper is in seven parts and has a mix of text types and questions.

For Parts 1 to 4, you read a range of texts and do grammar and vocabulary tasks.

For Parts 5 to 7, you read a series of texts and answer questions that test your reading ability and show that you can deal with a variety of different types of texts.
Summary

Length of texts:

About 2,200 words to read in total.

Texts may be from:

Newspapers and magazines, journals, books (fiction and non-fiction), promotional and informational material.

Part 1 (Multiple-choice cloze) Part 2 (Open cloze) Part 3 (Word formation) Part 4 (Key word transformations) Part 5 (Multiple choice) Part 6 (Gapped text) Part 7 (Multiple matching)
compose What's in the Writing paper?

In the two parts of the B2 First Writing paper, you have to show that you can write different types of text in English.
Summary

Time allowed:

1 hour 20 minutes

Number of questions:

Part 1: one compulsory question, Part 2: one question from a choice of three

Types of task:

Articles, email, essay, letter, report, review.

Part 1 (Compulsory question) Part 2 (Situationally based writing task)
playlist What's in the Listening paper?

The B2 First Listening paper has four parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice.
Summary

Time allowed:

About 40 minutes

Recordings may be from:

Monologues: answer phone messages, radio broadcasts and features, news, public announcements, stories and anecdotes, lectures and talks; or interacting speakers: conversations, interviews, discussions, radio plays.

Part 1 (Multiple choice) Part 2 (Sentence completion) Part 3 (Multiple matching) Part 4 (Multiple choice)
megaphone What's in the Speaking paper?

The B2 First Speaking test has four parts and you take it together with another candidate.

There are two examiners. One of the examiners asks you questions and gives you the booklet with things to talk about. The other examiner listens to what you say.
Summary Part 1 (Interview)

What's in Part 1?

Conversation with the examiner. The examiner asks questions and you may have to give information about your interests, studies, career, etc.

What do I have to practise?

Giving information about yourself and expressing your opinion about various topics.

How long do I have to speak?

2 minutes

Part 2 (Long turn)

What's in Part 2?

The examiner gives you two photographs and asks you to talk about them. You have to speak for 1 minute without interruption and the interlocutor then asks the other candidate to comment on your photographs for about 30 seconds.
The other candidate receives a different set of photographs and you have to listen and comment when they have finished speaking. The question you have to answer about your photographs is written at the top of the page to remind you what you should talk about.

What do I have to practise?

Talking on your own about something: comparing, describing, expressing opinions, speculating.

How long do I have to speak?

1 minute per candidate

Part 3 (Collaborative task)

What's in Part 3?

Conversation with the other candidate. The examiner gives you some material and a task to do. You have to talk with the other candidate and make a decision.

What do I have to practise?

Exchanging ideas, expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing, suggesting, speculating, evaluating, reaching a decision through negotiation, etc.

How long do we have to speak?

3 minutes (a 2-minute discussion followed by a 1-minute decision-making task)

Part 4 (Discussion)

What's in Part 4?

Further discussion with the other candidate, guided by questions from the examiner, about the topics or issues raised in the task in Part 3.

What do I have to practise?

Expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing.

How long do we have to speak?

4 minutes

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What is in the B2 First (FCE) exam? Information about the Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking papers for computer and paper-based tests.

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Recursos en nuestro canal Youtube

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Prueba tu nivel de inglés

Realiza nuestra prueba de nivel de inglés. Es gratuito y solo te llevará unos minutos. Podrás encontrar así el examen que mejor se adapte a tus necesidades.

Iniciar prueba

B1 Preliminary consta de cuatro pruebas desarrolladas para evaluar las destrezas en inglés de los alumnos. Puedes ver el contenido de cada prueba en la siguiente tabla.

Los formatos que se indican a continuación son los mismos para los exámenes en papel y en ordenador.

Comprensión auditiva
(30 minutos, incluidos 6 minutos para trasladar las respuestas)
Ver prueba de ejemplo

Tienes que ser capaz de seguir y comprender una amplia gama de contenidos orales, incluidos anuncios y discusiones sobre la vida cotidiana.

Expresión oral (Speaking)
(12-17 minutos por cada pareja de candidatos)
Ver prueba de ejemplo

Demuestra tu nivel de inglés hablado al participar en una conversación formulando preguntas y respondiéndolas, así como hablando, por ejemplo, sobre tus preferencias. Tu prueba de expresión oral tendrá lugar presencialmente junto con uno o dos candidatos más y dos examinadores. Esto hace que tu prueba sea más realista y confiable.

openbook ¿De qué se compone la prueba de comprensión de lectura?

La prueba de comprensión de lectura de B1 Preliminary consta de seis partes. Hay diferentes tipos de textos y preguntas.
Parte 1 (Opción múltiple) Parte 2 (Emparejar) Parte 3 (Opción múltiple) Parte 4 (Texto con espacios en blanco) Parte 5 (Espacios en blanco con opción múltiple) Parte 6 (Espacios en blanco con respuesta abierta)
pencil ¿De qué se compone la pruebas de expresión escrita?

La prueba de expresión escrita de B1 Preliminary consta de dos partes. Tienes que demostrar que eres capaz de escribir diferentes tipos de texto en inglés.
Parte 1 (Escribir un email) Parte 2 (A elegir entre artículo o historia)
playlist ¿De qué se compone la prueba de comprensión auditiva?

La prueba de comprensión auditiva de B1 Preliminary consta de cuatro partes. En cada parte tienes que escuchar uno o más textos grabados y responder algunas preguntas. Las grabaciones se reproducen dos veces.
Parte 1 (Opción múltiple) Parte 2 (Opción múltiple) Parte 3 (Rellenar espacios en blanco) Parte 4 (Opción múltiple)
megaphone ¿De qué se compone la prueba de expresión oral?

La prueba de expresión oral de B1 Preliminary consta de cuatro partes a las que te presentas junto con otro candidato. Hay dos examinadores. Un examinador habla contigo y el otro escucha.
Parte 1 (Entrevista) Parte 2 (Turno ampliado) Parte 3 (Discusión) Parte 4 (Conversación general)

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Subscríbete a nuestro canal de Youtube para saber más sobre Las Titulaciones de Cambridge y obtener consejos para aprender inglés y demostrarlo ante el mundo. Cambridge English TV Reconocimiento Mundial Nuestras titulaciones están reconocidas mundialmente por miles de empresas, universidades y organizaciones líderes en sus sectores.