Orientation & Diagnostic

This section gives you a clear map of the Speaking test and a quick warm-up so you start strong.

The test at a glance

• 8 tasks + a short practice task to warm up.

• Responses are recorded on the computer and rated later.

• Each task shows prep time and speaking time on screen.

• A blue progress bar shows how much speaking time you have left.

• A grey mic bar moves with your voice and helps you keep a steady volume.

• Total Speaking time is about 15–20 minutes and it usually comes last in the test.

Exact timing by task

Tip: When prep ends, recording starts automatically. You can’t move back to an earlier screen, so keep your eyes on the progress bar.

Quick mic & volume check (1 minute)

Use the practice task to warm up and set your level:

1. Position the headset mic a finger-width from the corner of your mouth (not touching skin).
2. Speak at normal volume. Watch the grey bar: it should bounce in the middle range.
3. Avoid extremes: if the bar barely moves, speak up; if it slams to the top, lower your voice or reposition the mic.
4. Say a full sentence (not “test test”). Try a natural line:
   • “I’m ready to begin. I’ll give two reasons and a short example for each.”
5. If you notice room noise, don’t whisper. Keep a steady, natural tone.

How you’re scored (plain view)

• Content & Coherence — clear main ideas, logical order, useful details/examples
• Vocabulary — natural, precise words; suitable phrases; some range
• Listenability — rhythm, pronunciation, intonation; smooth pauses; clean sentences
• Task Fulfillment — stays on topic, completes the task, uses the right tone, fits the time

You’ll use these four areas for quick self-checks after each practice.

What each task expects (one-liners)

• T1 Giving Advice (90 s): talk to the person; offer 2–3 suggestions with brief reasons.
• T2 Personal Experience (60 s): short story arc: when/where → what → why it matters.
• T3 Describe a Scene (60 s): overview → 3 concrete details → small inference.
• T4 Predict (60 s): what you see → why → what’s likely next.
• T5 Compare & Persuade (two-part): choose one option, then recommend it with 2 benefits.
• T6 Difficult Situation (60/60): goal + constraint + polite request/next step.
• T7 Opinion (90 s): position in line 1 → 2 reasons + examples → brief wrap.
• T8 Unusual Situation (60 s): who/where/what’s wrong/what you need them to do.

A simple speaking plan you can reuse

Plan (prep time): write 3 cues → [Idea A] / [Idea B] / [Example words]
Speak: opening (1 line) → Reason A (+ tiny example) → Reason B (+ tiny example) → 1-line close
Edit while speaking: if you lose a line, finish the current idea and move to your close.

Demo warm-up lines (for the practice task)

Use one of these to test volume and flow:

• “I’ll give two reasons and a short example for each.”
• “First, I think it helps because travel time is shorter. For example…”
• “Second, it’s easier to plan. As a result…”
• “In short, this choice solves the main problem.”

Baseline Diagnostic (record these now)

Record three quick tasks back-to-back. Save the audio; we’ll score it in the next session.

1) Task 1 — Giving Advice (30 s prep / 90 s speak)
Your friend just started a new job and feels nervous about weekly presentations. Give 2–3 practical suggestions and a brief reason for each.

2) Task 2 — Personal Experience (30 s / 60 s)
Describe a time you solved a small problem in daily life (at work, on transit, or at home). Say when/where, what happened, and what you learned.

3) Task 7 — Opinion (30 s / 90 s)
Which helps residents more: adding bus-only lanes or reducing fares by 10%? Choose one and give 2 reasons with short examples.

Fast self-check (30 seconds per recording)

• Content & Coherence: clear opening, two strong ideas, short examples
• Vocabulary: simple and precise; minimal repetition
• Listenability: steady pace; clean sentences; light pauses (no long “uh…”)
• Task Fulfillment: stayed on topic; right tone; used full time without trailing off

Common setup questions

• Can I redo a task? No. The test moves forward automatically when time ends.
• Is the practice task scored? No. It’s a warm-up for voice and volume.
• What if others are speaking in the room? That’s normal. Speak at a steady, natural volume; the recording focuses on your voice.
• What if I finish early? Use any remaining time to add one concrete detail or a short wrap-up line.

Mini checklist before you start the real tasks

• Mic placed correctly; grey bar shows a healthy bounce

• One-line opening ready (advice, story, choice, or request)

• Two reasons in mind, each with a tiny example

• Calm pace; watch the blue bar and finish with a clean closing line
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