Exam overview

Paper 1: Reading and Use of English 1 hour 30 minutes

Part Number of Number of Task type Task format

questions marks

1 8 8 Multiple-choice A text in which there are eight gaps for missing

cloze words or phrases. Candidates have to chose
the correct option (A, B, C or D) to fill each gap.

2 8 8 Open cloze A text in which there are eight missing words.

Candidates have to think of the correct word to
fill each gap.

3 8 8 Word formation A text in which there are eight gaps. Candidates

have to change a prompt word to form the
Reading and Use of English

correct missing word that fills each gap.

4 6 12 Key word Six pairs of sentences. Candidates have to

transformation complete the second sentence in each pair,
using a given key word, so that it has the same
meaning as the first sentence.

5 6 12 Multiple choice A text with six multiple-choice questions.

Candidates have to decide which option (A, B, C
or D) is the correct answer to each question.

6 4 8 Cross-text Four texts on a related topic. Candidates match

multiple matching four prompts to elements in the text to decide
the correct answers.

7 6 12 Gapped text A text in which there are six gaps and a list of
seven paragraphs. Candidates have to choose
the correct paragraph to fill each gap.

8 10 10 Multiple matching A long text or several short texts and ten

statements. For each statement, candidates
have to decide which part of the text contains
the information mentioned.

Total 56 78

Paper 2: Writing 1 hour 30 mins

Part Number of Number of Task type Task format

questions marks

1 1 20 An essay Candidates are given an essay title and notes.

They must write an essay of 220–260 words
Writing

using the notes provided.

2 1 from a 20 An email/letter, a Candidates write 220–260 words, answer the

choice of tasks report / proposal, question of their choosing in the way specified.
or a review

Total 2 40

© UCLES 2016

8 Exam overview © Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2018

 Paper 3: Listening About 40 mins

Part Number of Number of Task type Task format

questions marks

1 6 6 Multiple choice Three short conversations. Candidates have to

decide which option (A, B or C) is the answer to
two questions about each conversation.

2 8 8 Sentence A monologue. Candidates complete eight

completion sentences using words from the recording.
Listening

3 6 6 Multiple A conversation. Candidates answer six multiple

matching choice questions by choosing the correct option
(A, B, C or D).

4 10 10 Multiple choice Five short monologues. Candidates have to match

eight statements (A–H) in Task 1 and Task 2 to
each speaker. There are three statements in
each task that candidates don’t need.

Total 30 30

Paper 4: Speaking About 15 mins

Part Timing Interaction Task type Task format

1 Two minutes Examiner Interview The examiner asks the candidates questions
about themselves. They may be asked to talk
about past experiences, present circumstances
and future plans.
Candidate

2 Four minutes Candidate long Long turn Each candidate has to talk about and compare
turn two colour photographs (out of a choice of
three) without interruption. They also have
to answer a short question about the other
Speaking

candidate’s photographs.

3 Four minutes Candidate Collaborative The examiner gives the candidates a question and
task some written prompts. The candidates discuss
these together for minutes. The examiner will then
ask them to make a decision together about the
Candidate
topic they have been discussing.

4 Five minutes Candidate Discussion Further discussion between the candidates,

guided by questions from the examiner, about
the same topic as the task in Part 3.
Candidate

Total 30

© UCLES 2016

© Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2018 Exam overview 9