EF SET case studies
EF SET · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The EF SET is a free online English proficiency assessment that reports results on the CEFR scale, from A1 through C2. It is offered in two certifying versions: a 50-minute test covering reading and listening, and a 90-minute test covering reading, writing, listening and speaking. A separate 20-question practice test lets you familiarise yourself with the format before sitting a certifying exam. Because the test is delivered online and works on any desktop, tablet or mobile device, it suits students, job seekers and professionals who want a documented English level without travelling to a test centre, and organisations that need to benchmark English skills at scale - the provider reports serving thousands of companies, schools and universities. The EF SET case studies are 5 cases and about 2,483 words.
1The 40-Minute Reading Section and the Clock-Watcher
A candidate sits the EF SET reading section. The section is adaptive: item difficulty shifts based on whether the previous answers were correct.
556 words, about 3 min2Editing a Cover Letter Under a Word Limit
A candidate is writing a cover letter for a job application with a hard 250-word limit enforced by an online form. The draft is currently 340 words.
483 words, about 2 min3The Fast Speaker and the Note-Taker
A candidate is taking the EF SET listening section. The audio plays once.
456 words, about 2 min4Speaking Task: Fluency vs. Accuracy Under a Timer
A candidate records a spoken response to a prompt: 'Describe a time you solved a difficult problem.' She has 45 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to speak. On her first attempt she spends the full 45 seconds writing a script, then reads it aloud.
481 words, about 2 min5Reading Score vs. Writing Score: Which to Trust?
A candidate receives EF SET results: Reading 61/100 (C1), Listening 58/100 (B2/C1 boundary), Writing 44/100 (B2), Speaking not taken. She is applying to a program that requires 'B2 or above in all four skills' and does not accept a composite average.
507 words, about 3 min