The Reading and Writing paper assesses the ability to read and understand factual texts taken from signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. Candidates need to be able to understand the main messages, and have strategies for dealing with unfamiliar words and structures.

Candidates are assessed on their ability to complete gaps in simple texts, transfer information to forms, and complete an everyday writing task, such as writing a short note or message of around 20-25 words, to demonstrate control of structure, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation.

The Listening paper assesses the ability to understand recorded material such as announcements and monologues, delivered at a moderate pace, and to understand factual information in the recordings.

The Speaking Test assesses the ability to interact in conversational English with an examiner and with another candidate. Candidates need to be able to answer and ask questions about themselves and to talk freely about their likes and dislikes.

Candidates normally take the Speaking Test in pairs