How to take the test
A complete walkthrough of the four sections, every task type, and how scoring works — plus exactly what happens when you take a test here.
4 sections
Reading · Listening · Writing · Speaking
Adaptive
Reading & Listening adjust to your answers
1–6 bands
Each section and your overall score
How a test flows
Every test follows the same five steps.
1 · Start the test
Open a test, enter your name (or log in), and read the short overview of the sections you'll take.
2 · Equipment check
If the test includes Listening or Speaking, you'll check your sound and microphone first. Reading- or Writing-only tests skip this.
3 · Section directions
Before each section, a directions screen explains the task types, the rules, and the timing. The timer starts only when you press Begin.
4 · Take the sections
Work through each section in order. Your progress is saved automatically, so a refresh won't lose your answers.
5 · Get your results
Reading and Listening are scored instantly. Speaking and Writing are graded by AI, and Premium adds detailed corrections.
How scoring works
Every section is scored on the official 1–6 band scale, and your overall score is the average of the sections you took.
Reading and Listening are scored automatically. Because they are adaptive, reaching the harder second module lets you score in the top bands.
Speaking and Writing are graded by AI against the official task rubrics. Your spoken answers are transcribed first, then graded on how fully and clearly you respond.
Premium unlocks the full scored exams and detailed corrections: highlighted strengths and issues, and exactly what to improve to raise your band.
Reading
AdaptiveTexts from everyday life and academic passages
You read short practical texts and longer academic passages and answer questions about them. Reading is adaptive: everyone takes a first module, and your answers there decide whether the second module is the easier or harder set.
Complete the Words
10 gapsA short paragraph with the first sentence intact, then missing word-endings to type in. Tests high-frequency academic vocabulary and spelling.
On screen you'll see
“Type the missing letters to complete each word.”
Example
“The museum is open to the p____.” → you type the rest to make “public”.
Read in Daily Life
5 questionsEveryday texts — an email, notice, advertisement, schedule, menu, or forum post — with 2–3 questions each.
On screen you'll see
“Read the text and answer the questions.”
Example
An email announcing a changed class time, followed by “What should students do before Friday?”
Read an Academic Passage
5 questionsA ~150–250-word passage on history, science, social science, business, or the arts, with 5 questions.
On screen you'll see
“Read the passage and answer the questions.”
Example
A 200-word passage on how volcanoes form, with 5 multiple-choice questions about main idea and detail.
Rules
- You may go Back and change answers within a module.
- Once you start the second module you cannot return to the first.
- A countdown timer is shown for the whole section.
Tips
- ✓Answer the easy gaps and questions first, then return to the hard ones.
- ✓For Complete-the-Words, read the whole sentence — context and grammar tell you the ending.
- ✓Don't leave blanks: there is no penalty for guessing.
Listening
AdaptiveConversations, announcements, and academic talks
You listen to short conversations, announcements, and talks, then answer questions. Like Reading, Listening is adaptive — your first-module answers route you to an easier or harder second module.
Choose a Response
8 questionsYou hear one spoken line and pick the most natural reply. The line itself is not written on screen.
On screen you'll see
“Listen to the speaker, then choose the best response.”
Example
You hear: “Could you tell me where the library is?” → choose “Sure — it’s just past the cafeteria.”
Conversation
4 questionsA two-speaker campus or daily-life dialogue, with 2 questions. Accents vary (US, UK, Australian, New Zealand).
On screen you'll see
“Listen to the conversation, then answer the questions.”
Example
A student and an advisor discuss changing a class — “Why does the student want to switch?”
Announcement
4 questionsA single-speaker message — a classroom, club, or campus-radio announcement — with 2 questions.
On screen you'll see
“Listen to the announcement, then answer the questions.”
Example
A library announces new weekend hours — “When does the library now close on Saturdays?”
Academic Talk
4 questionsA short lecture-style monologue with 4 questions, on the same academic topics as the reading.
On screen you'll see
“Listen to the talk, then answer the questions.”
Example
A short talk on bird migration, with questions on the main idea and the professor’s examples.
Rules
- Each audio plays once — there is no replay.
- You cannot return to a previous audio.
- The questions appear after the audio finishes.
Tips
- ✓Use headphones in a quiet room.
- ✓Listen for the main idea first, then the details and the speaker's attitude.
- ✓Take quick mental notes of names, numbers, and reasons.
Writing
Sentence building plus two short pieces of writing
Writing has three task types: a set of Build-a-Sentence items, one email, and one academic-discussion post. The Build-a-Sentence items are objective; the email and discussion are graded on how well you communicate.
Build a Sentence
10 itemsClick word tiles into the correct order to form a grammatical reply. The end punctuation is already in place, one tile is an extra distractor, and some items pre-place a word or two as anchors.
On screen you'll see
“Move the words to form a grammatical sentence that is an appropriate reply.”
Example
“What was the highlight of your trip?” → “The tour guides who showed us around the old city were fantastic.”
Write an Email
1 taskRead a situation and write an email that addresses three specific points in the right tone (formal, semi-formal, or informal). About 100–140 words.
On screen you'll see
“Read the scenario, then write an email that does all three things listed. Write in complete sentences.”
Example
A poetry magazine asked for submissions but the form failed — say what you like about it, describe the problem, and ask if your work arrived.
Write for an Academic Discussion
1 taskRead a professor's question and two classmates' posts, then add your own clear, supported opinion that engages with theirs. At least 100 words.
On screen you'll see
“Read the professor's question and the two student posts, then post your own opinion in your own words (at least 100 words).”
Example
Professor: “Should high-school students be required to do volunteer work?” Two students disagree — you take and support a clear position.
Rules
- All Build-a-Sentence items share one timer (about 6 minutes for the group).
- The email and the discussion each have their own timer.
- Writing does not need a microphone — you only type.
Tips
- ✓For Build-a-Sentence, read the first line, then build the natural reply; one tile is always extra.
- ✓In the email, cover every bullet point and match the requested tone.
- ✓In the discussion, state your opinion, give a reason, and add an example — then reference a classmate.
Speaking
Repeat sentences and answer an interviewer
Speaking has two task types. You repeat sentences you hear, then you answer an interviewer's questions in your own words. Recording starts automatically — there is no preparation time.
Listen and Repeat
7 sentencesYou hear a sentence and repeat it exactly after the beep. The sentences get a little longer as you go.
On screen you'll see
“Listen to each sentence, then repeat it exactly after the beep. You hear each sentence only once.”
Example
You hear: “We have a variety of wildlife.” → you say the same sentence back, clearly.
Take an Interview
4 questionsAn interviewer asks you questions on one everyday topic, moving from facts to opinions to a broader trade-off. You answer each one in about 45 seconds.
On screen you'll see
“Answer the interviewer's questions in your own words. 45 seconds each — there is no preparation time.”
Example
“Think back to the last city you visited. Why did you travel there, and what did you like about it?”
Rules
- There is no preparation time; recording starts automatically.
- Listen and Repeat plays a beep before you speak; the interview does NOT — watch for the on-screen “Speak now” cue, exactly like the real exam.
- Listen and Repeat shows no text — repeat from memory.
- During the interview a short prompt of the question stays on screen while you answer.
Tips
- ✓Speak clearly at a natural pace — don't rush.
- ✓For the interview, give a direct answer first, then one or two reasons or an example.
- ✓Use the whole response time; a fuller answer scores better than a one-liner.
Kinds of test on this site
Full tests
All four sections in one sitting, scored end-to-end — the closest to test day.
Sectional tests
A single skill (Reading, Listening, Writing, or Speaking) when you want focused practice.
Drills by task type
Practise one task type on its own — for example just Build a Sentence, or just Take an Interview.
Before you begin — quick checklist
- ✓A quiet room with no interruptions
- ✓Headphones for Listening and Speaking
- ✓A working microphone for Speaking
- ✓A recent browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera)
- ✓Allow microphone access when asked
- ✓Enough time to finish the section without pausing
Ready to practise?
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