Aptis General cheat sheet

Aptis General Reading has four parts; parts 1-3 are sentence/paragraph matching and short-text comprehension, part 4 is a longer text with headings or gap tasks.

Part 1: match seven sentences to seven short notices or messages; each option is used once, so eliminate by matching repeated key words.

Part 2: put six sentences into the correct gaps in a short text; cohesion clues are pronouns, articles, and time linkers across sentence boundaries.

Part 3: match seven headings or statements to paragraphs of one longer text; the answer is usually the paragraph's topic sentence, not a detail.

Part 4: a longer text with multiple-choice or matching items; answers paraphrase the text, so reject options that copy wording verbatim without matching meaning.

Distractors typically repeat a word from the passage but reverse the relationship (cause/effect, before/after) or change the scope (all vs some).

Ordering tasks are solved by locating discourse markers: however, therefore, for example, in addition, and referents such as this, these, it.

Time budget: roughly 30-35 minutes for the whole reading section, leaving the longest text (part 4) about 10-12 minutes.

Aptis General Writing has four parts: word-level form filling, a short informal message (about 20-30 words), a formal or semi-formal message (about 30-40 words), and a longer email or informal text (about 50 words plus a follow-up of about 80-120 words).

Part 1 is scored on accurate spelling of single words in short forms; answers are one word each, so exact spelling is the whole mark.

Part 2 requires all three given points to be addressed; omitting one bullet caps the score regardless of grammar.

Part 3 requires a formal register: no contractions (do not, not don't), no slang, and a formulaic opening and closing.

Part 4 is marked on task completion, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, punctuation, and cohesion; the second response must justify opinions, not just list them.

Cohesion is scored explicitly: use at least three different linkers (however, therefore, in addition, whereas) rather than repeating 'and' or 'but'.

Word-count guidance is a floor, not a target: aim 10-20% above the stated minimum while staying on task.

Punctuation errors (missing capital letters, comma splices) count against the grammar band, so proofread the final 60 seconds for sentence boundaries.

Aptis General Listening has four parts and about 17 questions; each recording is played twice, and questions appear before or with the audio.

Part 1: short monologues or dialogues with three-option picture or word choices; the answer is stated directly, often with one paraphrase.

Part 2: longer conversations or monologues with multiple-choice questions in order; answers follow the sequence of the audio.

Part 3: matching speakers or items to statements; each option is used once, so track which options are already consumed.

Part 4: a longer monologue or discussion with multiple-choice items testing inference, attitude, and speaker purpose rather than literal detail.

Distractors are spoken before the correct answer: a number or name is mentioned, then corrected ('actually', 'sorry, I mean'), so wait for the repair.

Numbers, times, and prices are frequent traps; note the unit and whether it is per person, per night, or total.

Use the second listening to confirm the item you marked, not to re-scan the whole audio from the start.

Aptis General Speaking has four parts, each recorded and timed by the system; there is no live examiner interaction.

Part 1: two short personal questions, each with 30 seconds of preparation and 45 seconds of speaking; answers need one reason plus one example.

Part 2: describe a photograph for 45 seconds after 45 seconds of preparation; structure as foreground, background, people/actions, and a personal reaction.

Part 3: compare two pictures and answer two follow-up questions, with 45 seconds preparation and 45 seconds per response.

Part 4: answer two abstract topic questions (about 1 minute each) with 1 minute preparation; the second question asks for reasoning and evaluation, not description.

Scoring covers fluency, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, pronunciation, and coherence; a steady pace with self-correction scores better than silence.

Fill hesitation with content, not filler: extend with a reason ('because...'), a contrast ('although...'), or an example ('for instance...').

Recorded responses are fixed-length; aim to speak for at least 80% of the allotted time, since short answers are penalized on fluency and range.

Aptis General Reading has four parts; parts 1-3 are sentence/paragraph matching and short-text comprehension, part 4 is a longer text with headings or gap tasks.

Part 1: match seven sentences to seven short notices or messages; each option is used once, so eliminate by matching repeated key words.

Part 2: put six sentences into the correct gaps in a short text; cohesion clues are pronouns, articles, and time linkers across sentence boundaries.

Part 3: match seven headings or statements to paragraphs of one longer text; the answer is usually the paragraph's topic sentence, not a detail.

Part 4: a longer text with multiple-choice or matching items; answers paraphrase the text, so reject options that copy wording verbatim without matching meaning.

Distractors typically repeat a word from the passage but reverse the relationship (cause/effect, before/after) or change the scope (all vs some).

Ordering tasks are solved by locating discourse markers: however, therefore, for example, in addition, and referents such as this, these, it.

Time budget: roughly 30-35 minutes for the whole reading section, leaving the longest text (part 4) about 10-12 minutes.

Aptis General Writing has four parts: word-level form filling, a short informal message (about 20-30 words), a formal or semi-formal message (about 30-40 words), and a longer email or informal text (about 50 words plus a follow-up of about 80-120 words).

Part 1 is scored on accurate spelling of single words in short forms; answers are one word each, so exact spelling is the whole mark.

Part 2 requires all three given points to be addressed; omitting one bullet caps the score regardless of grammar.

Part 3 requires a formal register: no contractions (do not, not don't), no slang, and a formulaic opening and closing.

Part 4 is marked on task completion, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, punctuation, and cohesion; the second response must justify opinions, not just list them.

Cohesion is scored explicitly: use at least three different linkers (however, therefore, in addition, whereas) rather than repeating 'and' or 'but'.

Word-count guidance is a floor, not a target: aim 10-20% above the stated minimum while staying on task.

Punctuation errors (missing capital letters, comma splices) count against the grammar band, so proofread the final 60 seconds for sentence boundaries.

Aptis General Listening has four parts and about 17 questions; each recording is played twice, and questions appear before or with the audio.

Part 1: short monologues or dialogues with three-option picture or word choices; the answer is stated directly, often with one paraphrase.

Part 2: longer conversations or monologues with multiple-choice questions in order; answers follow the sequence of the audio.

Part 3: matching speakers or items to statements; each option is used once, so track which options are already consumed.

Part 4: a longer monologue or discussion with multiple-choice items testing inference, attitude, and speaker purpose rather than literal detail.

Distractors are spoken before the correct answer: a number or name is mentioned, then corrected ('actually', 'sorry, I mean'), so wait for the repair.

Numbers, times, and prices are frequent traps; note the unit and whether it is per person, per night, or total.

Use the second listening to confirm the item you marked, not to re-scan the whole audio from the start.

Aptis General Speaking has four parts, each recorded and timed by the system; there is no live examiner interaction.

Part 1: two short personal questions, each with 30 seconds of preparation and 45 seconds of speaking; answers need one reason plus one example.

Part 2: describe a photograph for 45 seconds after 45 seconds of preparation; structure as foreground, background, people/actions, and a personal reaction.

Part 3: compare two pictures and answer two follow-up questions, with 45 seconds preparation and 45 seconds per response.

Part 4: answer two abstract topic questions (about 1 minute each) with 1 minute preparation; the second question asks for reasoning and evaluation, not description.

Scoring covers fluency, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, pronunciation, and coherence; a steady pace with self-correction scores better than silence.

Fill hesitation with content, not filler: extend with a reason ('because...'), a contrast ('although...'), or an example ('for instance...').

Recorded responses are fixed-length; aim to speak for at least 80% of the allotted time, since short answers are penalized on fluency and range.

Aptis General Reading has four parts; parts 1-3 are sentence/paragraph matching and short-text comprehension, part 4 is a longer text with headings or gap tasks.

Part 1: match seven sentences to seven short notices or messages; each option is used once, so eliminate by matching repeated key words.

Part 2: put six sentences into the correct gaps in a short text; cohesion clues are pronouns, articles, and time linkers across sentence boundaries.

Part 3: match seven headings or statements to paragraphs of one longer text; the answer is usually the paragraph's topic sentence, not a detail.

Part 4: a longer text with multiple-choice or matching items; answers paraphrase the text, so reject options that copy wording verbatim without matching meaning.

Distractors typically repeat a word from the passage but reverse the relationship (cause/effect, before/after) or change the scope (all vs some).

Ordering tasks are solved by locating discourse markers: however, therefore, for example, in addition, and referents such as this, these, it.

Time budget: roughly 30-35 minutes for the whole reading section, leaving the longest text (part 4) about 10-12 minutes.

Aptis General Writing has four parts: word-level form filling, a short informal message (about 20-30 words), a formal or semi-formal message (about 30-40 words), and a longer email or informal text (about 50 words plus a follow-up of about 80-120 words).

Part 1 is scored on accurate spelling of single words in short forms; answers are one word each, so exact spelling is the whole mark.

Part 2 requires all three given points to be addressed; omitting one bullet caps the score regardless of grammar.

Part 3 requires a formal register: no contractions (do not, not don't), no slang, and a formulaic opening and closing.

Part 4 is marked on task completion, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, punctuation, and cohesion; the second response must justify opinions, not just list them.

Cohesion is scored explicitly: use at least three different linkers (however, therefore, in addition, whereas) rather than repeating 'and' or 'but'.

Word-count guidance is a floor, not a target: aim 10-20% above the stated minimum while staying on task.

Punctuation errors (missing capital letters, comma splices) count against the grammar band, so proofread the final 60 seconds for sentence boundaries.

Aptis General Listening has four parts and about 17 questions; each recording is played twice, and questions appear before or with the audio.

Part 1: short monologues or dialogues with three-option picture or word choices; the answer is stated directly, often with one paraphrase.

Part 2: longer conversations or monologues with multiple-choice questions in order; answers follow the sequence of the audio.

Part 3: matching speakers or items to statements; each option is used once, so track which options are already consumed.

Part 4: a longer monologue or discussion with multiple-choice items testing inference, attitude, and speaker purpose rather than literal detail.

Distractors are spoken before the correct answer: a number or name is mentioned, then corrected ('actually', 'sorry, I mean'), so wait for the repair.

Numbers, times, and prices are frequent traps; note the unit and whether it is per person, per night, or total.

Use the second listening to confirm the item you marked, not to re-scan the whole audio from the start.

Aptis General Speaking has four parts, each recorded and timed by the system; there is no live examiner interaction.

Part 1: two short personal questions, each with 30 seconds of preparation and 45 seconds of speaking; answers need one reason plus one example.

Part 2: describe a photograph for 45 seconds after 45 seconds of preparation; structure as foreground, background, people/actions, and a personal reaction.

Part 3: compare two pictures and answer two follow-up questions, with 45 seconds preparation and 45 seconds per response.

Part 4: answer two abstract topic questions (about 1 minute each) with 1 minute preparation; the second question asks for reasoning and evaluation, not description.

Scoring covers fluency, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, pronunciation, and coherence; a steady pace with self-correction scores better than silence.

Fill hesitation with content, not filler: extend with a reason ('because...'), a contrast ('although...'), or an example ('for instance...').

Recorded responses are fixed-length; aim to speak for at least 80% of the allotted time, since short answers are penalized on fluency and range.

Aptis General Reading has four parts; parts 1-3 are sentence/paragraph matching and short-text comprehension, part 4 is a longer text with headings or gap tasks.

Part 1: match seven sentences to seven short notices or messages; each option is used once, so eliminate by matching repeated key words.

Part 2: put six sentences into the correct gaps in a short text; cohesion clues are pronouns, articles, and time linkers across sentence boundaries.

Part 3: match seven headings or statements to paragraphs of one longer text; the answer is usually the paragraph's topic sentence, not a detail.

Part 4: a longer text with multiple-choice or matching items; answers paraphrase the text, so reject options that copy wording verbatim without matching meaning.

Distractors typically repeat a word from the passage but reverse the relationship (cause/effect, before/after) or change the scope (all vs some).

Ordering tasks are solved by locating discourse markers: however, therefore, for example, in addition, and referents such as this, these, it.

Time budget: roughly 30-35 minutes for the whole reading section, leaving the longest text (part 4) about 10-12 minutes.

Aptis General Writing has four parts: word-level form filling, a short informal message (about 20-30 words), a formal or semi-formal message (about 30-40 words), and a longer email or informal text (about 50 words plus a follow-up of about 80-120 words).

Part 1 is scored on accurate spelling of single words in short forms; answers are one word each, so exact spelling is the whole mark.

Part 2 requires all three given points to be addressed; omitting one bullet caps the score regardless of grammar.

Part 3 requires a formal register: no contractions (do not, not don't), no slang, and a formulaic opening and closing.

Part 4 is marked on task completion, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, punctuation, and cohesion; the second response must justify opinions, not just list them.

Cohesion is scored explicitly: use at least three different linkers (however, therefore, in addition, whereas) rather than repeating 'and' or 'but'.

Word-count guidance is a floor, not a target: aim 10-20% above the stated minimum while staying on task.

Punctuation errors (missing capital letters, comma splices) count against the grammar band, so proofread the final 60 seconds for sentence boundaries.

Aptis General Listening has four parts and about 17 questions; each recording is played twice, and questions appear before or with the audio.

Part 1: short monologues or dialogues with three-option picture or word choices; the answer is stated directly, often with one paraphrase.

Part 2: longer conversations or monologues with multiple-choice questions in order; answers follow the sequence of the audio.

Part 3: matching speakers or items to statements; each option is used once, so track which options are already consumed.

Part 4: a longer monologue or discussion with multiple-choice items testing inference, attitude, and speaker purpose rather than literal detail.

Distractors are spoken before the correct answer: a number or name is mentioned, then corrected ('actually', 'sorry, I mean'), so wait for the repair.

Numbers, times, and prices are frequent traps; note the unit and whether it is per person, per night, or total.

Use the second listening to confirm the item you marked, not to re-scan the whole audio from the start.

Aptis General Speaking has four parts, each recorded and timed by the system; there is no live examiner interaction.

Part 1: two short personal questions, each with 30 seconds of preparation and 45 seconds of speaking; answers need one reason plus one example.

Part 2: describe a photograph for 45 seconds after 45 seconds of preparation; structure as foreground, background, people/actions, and a personal reaction.

Part 3: compare two pictures and answer two follow-up questions, with 45 seconds preparation and 45 seconds per response.

Part 4: answer two abstract topic questions (about 1 minute each) with 1 minute preparation; the second question asks for reasoning and evaluation, not description.

Scoring covers fluency, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, pronunciation, and coherence; a steady pace with self-correction scores better than silence.

Fill hesitation with content, not filler: extend with a reason ('because...'), a contrast ('although...'), or an example ('for instance...').

Recorded responses are fixed-length; aim to speak for at least 80% of the allotted time, since short answers are penalized on fluency and range.

Aptis General Reading has four parts; parts 1-3 are sentence/paragraph matching and short-text comprehension, part 4 is a longer text with headings or gap tasks.

Part 1: match seven sentences to seven short notices or messages; each option is used once, so eliminate by matching repeated key words.

Part 2: put six sentences into the correct gaps in a short text; cohesion clues are pronouns, articles, and time linkers across sentence boundaries.

Part 3: match seven headings or statements to paragraphs of one longer text; the answer is usually the paragraph's topic sentence, not a detail.

Part 4: a longer text with multiple-choice or matching items; answers paraphrase the text, so reject options that copy wording verbatim without matching meaning.

Distractors typically repeat a word from the passage but reverse the relationship (cause/effect, before/after) or change the scope (all vs some).

Ordering tasks are solved by locating discourse markers: however, therefore, for example, in addition, and referents such as this, these, it.

Time budget: roughly 30-35 minutes for the whole reading section, leaving the longest text (part 4) about 10-12 minutes.

Aptis General Writing has four parts: word-level form filling, a short informal message (about 20-30 words), a formal or semi-formal message (about 30-40 words), and a longer email or informal text (about 50 words plus a follow-up of about 80-120 words).

Part 1 is scored on accurate spelling of single words in short forms; answers are one word each, so exact spelling is the whole mark.

Part 2 requires all three given points to be addressed; omitting one bullet caps the score regardless of grammar.

Part 3 requires a formal register: no contractions (do not, not don't), no slang, and a formulaic opening and closing.

Part 4 is marked on task completion, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, punctuation, and cohesion; the second response must justify opinions, not just list them.

Cohesion is scored explicitly: use at least three different linkers (however, therefore, in addition, whereas) rather than repeating 'and' or 'but'.

Word-count guidance is a floor, not a target: aim 10-20% above the stated minimum while staying on task.

Punctuation errors (missing capital letters, comma splices) count against the grammar band, so proofread the final 60 seconds for sentence boundaries.

Aptis General Listening has four parts and about 17 questions; each recording is played twice, and questions appear before or with the audio.

Part 1: short monologues or dialogues with three-option picture or word choices; the answer is stated directly, often with one paraphrase.

Part 2: longer conversations or monologues with multiple-choice questions in order; answers follow the sequence of the audio.

Part 3: matching speakers or items to statements; each option is used once, so track which options are already consumed.

Part 4: a longer monologue or discussion with multiple-choice items testing inference, attitude, and speaker purpose rather than literal detail.

Distractors are spoken before the correct answer: a number or name is mentioned, then corrected ('actually', 'sorry, I mean'), so wait for the repair.

Numbers, times, and prices are frequent traps; note the unit and whether it is per person, per night, or total.

Use the second listening to confirm the item you marked, not to re-scan the whole audio from the start.

Aptis General Speaking has four parts, each recorded and timed by the system; there is no live examiner interaction.

Part 1: two short personal questions, each with 30 seconds of preparation and 45 seconds of speaking; answers need one reason plus one example.

Part 2: describe a photograph for 45 seconds after 45 seconds of preparation; structure as foreground, background, people/actions, and a personal reaction.

Part 3: compare two pictures and answer two follow-up questions, with 45 seconds preparation and 45 seconds per response.

Part 4: answer two abstract topic questions (about 1 minute each) with 1 minute preparation; the second question asks for reasoning and evaluation, not description.

Scoring covers fluency, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, pronunciation, and coherence; a steady pace with self-correction scores better than silence.

Fill hesitation with content, not filler: extend with a reason ('because...'), a contrast ('although...'), or an example ('for instance...').

Recorded responses are fixed-length; aim to speak for at least 80% of the allotted time, since short answers are penalized on fluency and range.

Aptis General Reading has four parts; parts 1-3 are sentence/paragraph matching and short-text comprehension, part 4 is a longer text with headings or gap tasks.

Part 1: match seven sentences to seven short notices or messages; each option is used once, so eliminate by matching repeated key words.

Part 2: put six sentences into the correct gaps in a short text; cohesion clues are pronouns, articles, and time linkers across sentence boundaries.

Part 3: match seven headings or statements to paragraphs of one longer text; the answer is usually the paragraph's topic sentence, not a detail.

Part 4: a longer text with multiple-choice or matching items; answers paraphrase the text, so reject options that copy wording verbatim without matching meaning.

Distractors typically repeat a word from the passage but reverse the relationship (cause/effect, before/after) or change the scope (all vs some).

Ordering tasks are solved by locating discourse markers: however, therefore, for example, in addition, and referents such as this, these, it.

Time budget: roughly 30-35 minutes for the whole reading section, leaving the longest text (part 4) about 10-12 minutes.

Aptis General Writing has four parts: word-level form filling, a short informal message (about 20-30 words), a formal or semi-formal message (about 30-40 words), and a longer email or informal text (about 50 words plus a follow-up of about 80-120 words).

Part 1 is scored on accurate spelling of single words in short forms; answers are one word each, so exact spelling is the whole mark.

Part 2 requires all three given points to be addressed; omitting one bullet caps the score regardless of grammar.

Part 3 requires a formal register: no contractions (do not, not don't), no slang, and a formulaic opening and closing.

Part 4 is marked on task completion, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, punctuation, and cohesion; the second response must justify opinions, not just list them.

Cohesion is scored explicitly: use at least three different linkers (however, therefore, in addition, whereas) rather than repeating 'and' or 'but'.

Word-count guidance is a floor, not a target: aim 10-20% above the stated minimum while staying on task.

Punctuation errors (missing capital letters, comma splices) count against the grammar band, so proofread the final 60 seconds for sentence boundaries.

Aptis General Listening has four parts and about 17 questions; each recording is played twice, and questions appear before or with the audio.

Part 1: short monologues or dialogues with three-option picture or word choices; the answer is stated directly, often with one paraphrase.

Part 2: longer conversations or monologues with multiple-choice questions in order; answers follow the sequence of the audio.

Part 3: matching speakers or items to statements; each option is used once, so track which options are already consumed.

Part 4: a longer monologue or discussion with multiple-choice items testing inference, attitude, and speaker purpose rather than literal detail.

Distractors are spoken before the correct answer: a number or name is mentioned, then corrected ('actually', 'sorry, I mean'), so wait for the repair.

Numbers, times, and prices are frequent traps; note the unit and whether it is per person, per night, or total.

Use the second listening to confirm the item you marked, not to re-scan the whole audio from the start.

Aptis General Speaking has four parts, each recorded and timed by the system; there is no live examiner interaction.

Part 1: two short personal questions, each with 30 seconds of preparation and 45 seconds of speaking; answers need one reason plus one example.

Part 2: describe a photograph for 45 seconds after 45 seconds of preparation; structure as foreground, background, people/actions, and a personal reaction.

Part 3: compare two pictures and answer two follow-up questions, with 45 seconds preparation and 45 seconds per response.

Part 4: answer two abstract topic questions (about 1 minute each) with 1 minute preparation; the second question asks for reasoning and evaluation, not description.

Scoring covers fluency, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, pronunciation, and coherence; a steady pace with self-correction scores better than silence.

Fill hesitation with content, not filler: extend with a reason ('because...'), a contrast ('although...'), or an example ('for instance...').

Recorded responses are fixed-length; aim to speak for at least 80% of the allotted time, since short answers are penalized on fluency and range.

Aptis General Reading has four parts; parts 1-3 are sentence/paragraph matching and short-text comprehension, part 4 is a longer text with headings or gap tasks.

Part 1: match seven sentences to seven short notices or messages; each option is used once, so eliminate by matching repeated key words.

Part 2: put six sentences into the correct gaps in a short text; cohesion clues are pronouns, articles, and time linkers across sentence boundaries.

Part 3: match seven headings or statements to paragraphs of one longer text; the answer is usually the paragraph's topic sentence, not a detail.

Part 4: a longer text with multiple-choice or matching items; answers paraphrase the text, so reject options that copy wording verbatim without matching meaning.

Distractors typically repeat a word from the passage but reverse the relationship (cause/effect, before/after) or change the scope (all vs some).

Ordering tasks are solved by locating discourse markers: however, therefore, for example, in addition, and referents such as this, these, it.

Time budget: roughly 30-35 minutes for the whole reading section, leaving the longest text (part 4) about 10-12 minutes.

Aptis General Writing has four parts: word-level form filling, a short informal message (about 20-30 words), a formal or semi-formal message (about 30-40 words), and a longer email or informal text (about 50 words plus a follow-up of about 80-120 words).

Part 1 is scored on accurate spelling of single words in short forms; answers are one word each, so exact spelling is the whole mark.

Part 2 requires all three given points to be addressed; omitting one bullet caps the score regardless of grammar.

Part 3 requires a formal register: no contractions (do not, not don't), no slang, and a formulaic opening and closing.

Part 4 is marked on task completion, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, punctuation, and cohesion; the second response must justify opinions, not just list them.

Cohesion is scored explicitly: use at least three different linkers (however, therefore, in addition, whereas) rather than repeating 'and' or 'but'.

Word-count guidance is a floor, not a target: aim 10-20% above the stated minimum while staying on task.

Punctuation errors (missing capital letters, comma splices) count against the grammar band, so proofread the final 60 seconds for sentence boundaries.

Aptis General Listening has four parts and about 17 questions; each recording is played twice, and questions appear before or with the audio.

Part 1: short monologues or dialogues with three-option picture or word choices; the answer is stated directly, often with one paraphrase.

Part 2: longer conversations or monologues with multiple-choice questions in order; answers follow the sequence of the audio.

Part 3: matching speakers or items to statements; each option is used once, so track which options are already consumed.

Part 4: a longer monologue or discussion with multiple-choice items testing inference, attitude, and speaker purpose rather than literal detail.

Distractors are spoken before the correct answer: a number or name is mentioned, then corrected ('actually', 'sorry, I mean'), so wait for the repair.

Numbers, times, and prices are frequent traps; note the unit and whether it is per person, per night, or total.

Use the second listening to confirm the item you marked, not to re-scan the whole audio from the start.

Aptis General Speaking has four parts, each recorded and timed by the system; there is no live examiner interaction.

Part 1: two short personal questions, each with 30 seconds of preparation and 45 seconds of speaking; answers need one reason plus one example.

Part 2: describe a photograph for 45 seconds after 45 seconds of preparation; structure as foreground, background, people/actions, and a personal reaction.

Part 3: compare two pictures and answer two follow-up questions, with 45 seconds preparation and 45 seconds per response.

Part 4: answer two abstract topic questions (about 1 minute each) with 1 minute preparation; the second question asks for reasoning and evaluation, not description.

Scoring covers fluency, grammar range and accuracy, vocabulary range, pronunciation, and coherence; a steady pace with self-correction scores better than silence.

Fill hesitation with content, not filler: extend with a reason ('because...'), a contrast ('although...'), or an example ('for instance...').

Recorded responses are fixed-length; aim to speak for at least 80% of the allotted time, since short answers are penalized on fluency and range.