Exam format and task types

Linguaskill is being enhanced

A new version of Linguaskill is being introduced which will include a range of new features and benefits. During this upgrade, please take extra care to ensure that you use the practice materials designed for the right version of the exam you intend to take. Read more about the changes to Linguaskill.

Linguaskill is a modular online test which assesses all four language skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking. You can take the test for each of these skills separately. This gives you choice about the skills you want to assess.

Two versions of the test are available: Linguaskill and Linguaskill Business. This gives you the ability to choose the sort of language that will be tested, based on your objectives.

Linguaskill

Linguaskill tests language used in daily life, making it ideal for university admission or exit, and recruitment for roles in a non-business-specific environment. For example, where an employee needs strong English skills to perform their role effectively, but will not need specialist business terminology.

This makes the test suitable for a broad spectrum of organisations. Test topics include studying and working, making future plans, travel and technology.

Linguaskill Business

Linguaskill Business tests English used in a business and corporate setting. It is most suitable for recruitment in organisations where employees are expected to be familiar with the language of business.

It is suitable for large or small organisations, which may be operating on an international level. Test topics include buying and selling products or services, the office, business travel and human resources.

Reading
Listening
Writing
Speaking

What’s in the Reading module?

The Reading module is adaptive, so there is not a fixed number of questions. Each question the candidate answers helps the computer to understand their level better and select an appropriate next task for the candidate’s performance at that point in the test. The test finishes when the candidate has answered enough questions for Linguaskill to identify their level accurately.

Results for the Reading module will be released within 3–5 working days.

Length:	Variable, usually 30 to 40 mins. Time limit is set at 59 mins.
Number of questions:	Variable

Types of questions – Reading tasks

Candidates will see a selection of the following task types:

One-question multiple choice	Candidates read a notice, label, text message or email containing a short text and choose the sentence or phrase that most closely matches the meaning of the text. There are three possible answers.
One-question multiple-choice gap-fill	Candidates read a sentence with a missing word (gap) and choose the correct word to fill the gap. There are three or four choices for each gap.
Five-question multiple-choice gap-fill	Candidates choose the right word or phrase to fill the gaps in a text. There are three or four choices for each gap.
Five-question open gap-fill	Candidates read a short text in which there are some missing words (gaps) and write the missing word in each gap.
Five-question multiple choice	Candidates read a longer text and answer five multiple-choice questions. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text.
Two-question multiple choice	Candidates read a text and answer two multiple-choice questions. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text.
Missing paragraph text completion	Candidates read a text from which five sections have been removed and fill each gap by choosing the appropriate paragraph from six options.
Missing sentence text completion	Candidates read a text from which five sentences have been removed and fill each gap by choosing the appropriate sentence from eight options.
Multiple text matching	Candidates read across four texts in order to find the relevant information to match to prompts or questions.

Take the Linguaskill Reading sample test

Take the Linguaskill Business Reading sample test

What’s in the Listening module?

The Listening module is adaptive, so there is not a fixed number of questions. Each question the candidate answers helps the computer to understand their level better and select an appropriate next task for the candidate’s performance at that point in the test. The test finishes when the candidate has answered enough questions for Linguaskill to identify their level accurately.

Results for the Listening module will be released within 3–5 working days.

Length:	Variable, usually 40 to 50 mins. Time limit is set at 59 mins.
Number of questions:	Variable

Types of questions – Listening tasks

Candidates will see a selection of the following task types:

One-question multiple choice	Candidates listen to a short audio recording and answer a multiple-choice question with three options.
Five-question multiple choice	Candidates listen to a longer recording and answer five multiple-choice questions based on it. The questions are in the same order as the information they hear in the recording.
Two-question multiple choice	Candidates listen to a recording and answer two multiple-choice questions based on it. The questions are in the same order as the information they hear in the recording.
Sentence completion	Candidates listen to a recording with one speaker and complete five sentences with no more than three words typed in each space.
One-task multiple matching	Candidates listen to five monologues from different speakers and answer a single question for each of them, choosing from eight options.
Two-task multiple matching	Candidates listen to three monologues from three different speakers and answer two questions for each of them, choosing from five options.

Take the Linguaskill Listening sample test

Take the Linguaskill Business Listening sample test

What’s in the Writing module?

The Writing module asks candidates to input answers using a computer keyboard. Answers are marked by an examiner. Results for the Writing module will be released within 3–5 working days.

Length:	45 mins

The Writing test comprises one task. Candidates have 45 minutes to write their response. For Linguaskill, candidates are asked to write an essay, and for Linguaskill Business, they are asked to write a report. For both the essay and report, candidates are instructed to write at least 250 words.

Take the Linguaskill Writing sample test 1

Take the Linguaskill Writing sample test 2

Take the Linguaskill Business Writing sample test 1

Take the Linguaskill Business Writing sample test 2

What’s in the Speaking module?

The Speaking module is taken using a computer with a microphone and headphones. Questions are presented to the candidate through the computer screen and headphones, and their responses are recorded.

Linguaskill Speaking and Linguaskill Business Speaking are assessed by human examiners and market-leading auto-marking technology, known as hybrid marking. Results for the Speaking module will be released within 3–5 working days.

Length:	Approximately 16 mins 5 sections

Length:

Approximately 16 mins

5 sections

Warm-up questions

The Speaking test begins with three simple questions intended to help candidates warm up, and which are not marked.

There are five sections in the Speaking module

Part 1 – Presentation	The candidate is given a topic, with three bullet points, to talk about for 1 minute.
Part 2.1 – Summary	Candidates listen to an audio extract of a meeting or tutorial in which four key points are given. Candidates then have 40 seconds to summarise the four key points for a colleague or classmate who was unable to attend.
Part 2.2 – Discussion questions	Candidates listen to and give their opinions in answer to three follow-up questions from the same colleague or classmate about the same topic.
Part 3 – Recommendation	Candidates see a friend’s or colleague’s requirements in a text message format, read supplementary information given and then make a recommendation to meet their friend’s or colleague’s requirements.
Part 4 – Argument presentation and evaluation	Candidates are given a statement and have to consider arguments both for and against it. They should reach a conclusion, providing reasons to support their final argument.

Take the Linguaskill Speaking sample test

Take the Linguaskill Business Speaking sample test