3
people run this conversation
13 min
The shortest conversation
Reported in nine bands, half-bands allowed. Test centres book out about three weeks ahead.
All three parts, timed to the real structure, with an examiner who follows the script and does not help you.
What actually happens
One of them is usually the real reason. What sits underneath it is what actually gets scored.
/01
“You finish part one feeling good and the examiner has moved faster than you expected.”
Short questions about your own life. Two sentences and a reason is the shape; four sentences is the warning sign and it costs you in a part you thought was the easy one.
/02
“You cover every bullet on the card in seventy seconds.”
One minute to prepare, two to speak, no interruption and no rescue. Running out at ninety seconds is the most common failure in the whole test.
/03
“You answer a general question with a personal anecdote.”
The questions stop being about you and start being about society, change and comparison. This is where the band is actually decided.
/04
“You have never once practised this against a clock.”
The examiner stops you. Knowing what that feels like in advance is most of what a rehearsal is for.
Bring the real thing: the job description, the date on the letter, the words the school used. Everyone who runs full speaking test will work from what you actually walked in with.
How a first conversation worksWho you will be talking to
In whichever order helps. The first 5 minutes with a free partner cost nothing, so you can talk to two of them before you choose.
5 min freeFull speaking test
5 min freeFull speaking test
Full speaking testWhat it costs
A harder conversation simply runs longer. The shortest way to rehearse full speaking test is 13 min.
You pay for the seconds you talk, and the minutes come off a balance you already hold. Nothing renews, and you are never sent a bill. Plans and refunds.
Exam format
13 min
is how long a conversation at this difficulty runs
Thirteen to fourteen minutes end to end, part by part, as the published structure runs it.
At $50 an hour, rounded up to the 60-minute booking nobody will sell you less than.
Your first 5 minutes
01
Not a part. The whole test, so you find out where your time actually goes.
The terms, in full
02
Fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation are weighted equally, and almost nobody is equal across them.
Paid for out of your free minutes
Questions
Nearby
The rest of Exams first, then everything else at the same difficulty.
All the situations
B1 · workingB2 · confidentC1 · advancedTwo minutes alone on a card you were given one minute to think about.2 peoplefrom 6 minPart one questions
C1 · advancedNative paceShort answers about your own life, which is where most people overrun.1 personfrom 5 minBehavioral round
B1 · workingB2 · confidentC1 · advancedNative paceTell me about a time. Then: what did you actually do, and what would you do differently.3 peoplefrom 12 min