B1 Speaking & Listening exam at GESE Grade 5

The B1 speaking and listening exams take the form of a one-to-one, face-to-face oral interview between the candidate and an examiner. The exam replicates real-life exchanges in which the candidate and the examiner pass on information, share ideas and opinions and debate topical issues.

The candidate introduces a topic of his or her own choice. The examiner directs the discussion using the points prepared by the candidate. Then the examiner moves on to the Conversation phase, selecting two subject areas for discussion from the list provided.

 B1 Exam format

The B1 exam consists of the following:

  • greetings and setting at ease
  • discussion of a prepared topic
  • conversation on two subject areas
  • end of conversation and leave taking.

B1 Speaking and Listening Exam procedure

The examiner begins by greeting the candidate, trying to set him or her at ease and asking to see the candidate’s identification. The examiner asks the candidate for the Topic form and the candidate tells the examiner what he or she is going to talk about.

During the Topic phase, the examiner randomly selects one of the discussion points on the Topic

form and asks the candidate questions and makes comments to facilitate a spontaneous discussion about the prepared topic. This continues until at least four points on the Topic form have been covered. During the Topic phase, the candidate asks the examiner at least one question related to the topic. This phase lasts up to five minutes.

The examiner then closes this phase of the B1 exam and moves on to the conversation.

During the Conversation phase, the examiner selects one of the subject areas listed for the grade and engages the candidate in genuine conversation. This is repeated with a second subject area chosen by the examiner. During the conversation the candidate gives information, makes statements and responds as appropriate. In addition, the candidate must ask the examiner at least one question related to the subject areas being discussed. This phase lasts up to five minutes.

The examiner brings the conversation and the B1 speaking and listening exam to an end.

The B1 Speaking/Listening Exam GESE Grade 5 is a test accepted by the UKBA and Home Office for Settlement / ILR / Naturalisation applications.

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