Who is this test for?
This test is for test takers who are applying for higher education in an English speaking institution and/or are wishing to demonstrate an advanced level in English for social, academic and vocational purposes.
Test takers will be expected to understand the explicit and implicit meaning of an extensive range of complex, written and spoken communication in social, academic and professional contexts, and to express experiences, opinions and attitudes accurately, appropriately, flexibly and effectively in the spoken and written form.
How is this test structured?
The test has a written paper (2 hours 30 minutes) and an oral test (15 minutes). The written paper is divided into five tasks which are linked to a theme to which the test taker can relate.
Tasks 1 and 2: Listening (written paper)
Tasks 1 and 2 consist of two listening texts and test takers will be asked to undertake some of the following tasks:
- make rough notes of key information heard on the tape and reorder it where necessary
- complete missing information from the spoken discourse
- identify points or features of the accompanying written text which relate to information or ideas heard on the tape
- complete a table or fill in a grid, diagram, map or picture with appropriate general and specific details from the spoken discourse
- mark statements about a picture or text as true or false or not stated
- write down responses to questions
- summarize information from the spoken discourse
- make comments and give qualified responses about different aspects of the spoken discourse
Task 3: Reading and Integrated Reading & Writing (written paper)
a) The first task will involve reading and processing information to complete a task such as taking notes or making a summary.
b) The second task will involve reading, analyzing, interpreting and synthesizing relevant information and data from one or several different source texts. Written responses might include writing a complex formal letter, writing a formal report or compiling a leaflet or a brochure.
Task 4: Reading (written paper)
Test takers read up to 3 texts of no more than 1000 words in total. Test takers will be asked to undertake some of the following tasks:
- identify and summarize main and secondary ideas, supporting details, arguments and conclusions in the text
- write short answers to questions on important features of the text
- explain the meaning of key words and phrases in the text
- compare, select and extract information from a text and transfer it to a diagram, map, picture, table or grid
- compare texts and make responses to questions and statements about the texts
- put a sequence of pictures, illustrations or sentences in order according to information in the text
- mark statements true or false about a picture or text or not stated
- summarize information from the texts
- make comments and give qualified reasons about different aspects of the texts
- match given words and phrases to words and phrases (paragraphs to headings) in the text
- infer the meaning of words in the text
- insert additional or missing information into a suitable point in the text
- analyze through multiple choice, the writer’s use of language and text organization to present information or to persuade, inform or entertain their readers
Task 5: Writing (written paper)
Test takers will be required to write one of the following:
- A discursive essay in response to a specific statement and/or question, e.g. The popularity of gyms has more to do with fashion than fitness. Do you agree?
- An article or review for a newspaper, magazine or educational journal, based on the scenario of the test.
Oral Test
Oral tests are conducted by an interviewer. Each test taker is assessed for effective communication, interaction, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. Test takers are assessed in pairs and are expected to ask and respond to each other’s questions, as well as to respond to questions and prompts from the interviewer.
Phase 1: Introduction
Test takers introduce themselves and talk about:
- school or university where they study or work
- company or government department where they work
- what they like and dislike about their study or work
- home town or village
Phase 2: Discussion related to the theme in the written test
Phase 3: Discussion arising from the visual stimulus