Aptis ESOL

Advanced

Test format
overview

www.britishcouncil.org/aptis
2 Aptis ESOL Advanced Test format overview

Test components

Core 25 minutes

Part 1 Grammar
Part 2 Vocabulary

Reading 60 minutes

Part 1 Opinion matching

Part 2 Long text comprehension
Part 3 Reading for global understanding
Part 4 Reading across two texts

Listening 30 minutes

Part 1 Identifying factual information

Part 2 Identifying opinion and attitude
Part 3 Understanding an extended spoken text
Part 4 Understanding an extended story

Writing 45 minutes

Part 1 Three written responses to questions

Part 2 Formal writing
Part 3 Article for website publication

Speaking 10 minutes

Part 1 Describe, compare, and provide reasons and explanations

Part 2 Discuss personal experience and opinion in relation to an
abstract topic
Part 3 Presentation
Part 4 Question on your presentation
3 Aptis ESOL Advanced Test format overview

Aptis ESOL Advanced core test

(grammar and vocabulary)

The core test consists of two parts. The first part assesses your knowledge of English
grammar. The second part assesses your knowledge of English vocabulary.

Part Description

Grammar In this part of the test, you will answer 25 questions.

Part 1
Most of the questions test formal written English. A small number of questions test
spoken English, such as knowing the appropriate grammar to use in a particular
situation (formal or informal situations, for example).

All 25 questions are multiple choice with three options.

Complete a sentence by choosing the correct word.

Preparation tips:
To know which parts of grammar are tested, see the British Council / EAQUALS core
inventory. This is free and available online at: www.teachingenglish.org.uk/ article/
british-council-eaquals-core- inventory-general-english

One great way to prepare for the grammar test is to use the British Council’s
LearnEnglish website: www.learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar

Vocabulary There are 25 questions in this part of the test. There are a number of question types:
Part 2
Word matching: find a word with a meaning similar to the target word.

Word definition: match a definition to the correct word.

Word usage: complete a sentence by choosing the correct word.

Word pairs or word combinations: select the most common combinations of

words.

Preparation tips:
To help you prepare for this part of the test, the LearnEnglish website has games and
activities to help you improve your vocabulary: www.learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/
vocabulary

Another useful tip is to take note of interesting words or word combinations when you
read English texts.
4 Aptis ESOL Advanced Test format overview

Aptis ESOL Advanced Reading test

The test assesses your reading ability. The tasks start at B1 level and become more difficult
as the test progresses.

Part Description

Opinion In this part, you will match people’s opinions to statements. You will read four
matching people’s opinions on the same topic. Then you need to read seven statements and
Part 1 decide which person’s opinion matches each statement.

This part tests your ability to read and understand short texts.

Preparation tips:
Read all four opinions before trying to answer the questions. Remember, the same
person can be used for more than one answer.

To prepare, look at the comments section in online media and practise summarising
the main opinions.

Long text In this part, you will read a long text (about 750 words). You will also read eight
compre- headings. The task is to match seven of the headings to paragraphs in the text. There
hension is always an extra heading that does not fit with any paragraph.
Part 2
Preparation tips:
Read the whole text quickly. Then carefully read the headings. Do all this before
starting the task. Look for clues to connect the headings to the paragraphs; these
might be similar words, ideas, or topics.

To prepare, read magazine articles and find the main idea for each paragraph.

Reading This is a short text of around 300 words with missing gaps. You must choose the
for global right word or phrase from the drop-down to complete the gap.
under-
standing Preparation tips:
Part 3 Make sure you read the whole text before trying to answer. This isn't a grammar test
so all the options can fit grammatically into the sentence. You need to understand the
whole text to choose the correct one.

You have two short texts on the same topic. You need to fill in the blank with the
Reading
appropriate phrase.
across
two texts
Preparation tips:
Part 4
You need to read both texts before answering as all of the options are grammatically
possible, so you can only choose the right one if you have understood both texts.
5 Aptis ESOL Advanced Test format overview

Aptis ESOL Advanced Listening test

The Listening test has four task types. You can choose to listen to the text once or twice.

Part Description

Identifying In this part, you will listen to five short recordings of monologues or dialogues and
factual answer one question for each recording.
information
Part 1 Preparation tips:
Visit the British Council's LearnEnglish website for lots of very useful activities,
tips, apps, and podcasts: www.learnenglish.britishcouncil.org

Identifying In this part, you will listen to three recordings of monologues and you will have to
opinion and answer two questions for each recording.
attitude
Part 2 Preparation tips:
Use the fact that you can listen twice to your advantage here. Read through the
questions before you listen. Then, on your first listen, select your answers and listen a
second time to confirm.

Under- In this part, you will hear a discussion between a man and a woman. On the screen
standing an you will see a number of opinions. You will need to identify who expresses which
extended opinion: the man, the woman, or both.
spoken
text Preparation tips:
Part 3 You will only hear the recording once and you have 20 seconds to read through the
options before it starts.

Make sure you know what information you are listening for.

Under- In this part, you will hear two separate monologues. You will need to select the
standing an correct answers from a table.
extended
story Preparation tips:
Part 4 You will only hear each monologue once.

The information in the monologue does not appear in the same order as the table.
6 Aptis ESOL Advanced Test format overview

Aptis ESOL Advanced Writing test

There are three parts to the Writing test. You will interact in a social media-type written
conversation, write an email, and write a short article for an online publication. All writing
tasks are marked by examiners.

Part Description

Three In this part, you will have a social network-type interaction. You will read three
written questions and need to respond.
responses
to Preparation tips:
questions Make sure you correctly answer all three questions and don't go off-topic. Focus on
Part 1 accurate spelling and punctuation and write a text that is cohesive and coherent.
Keep to the word count of 30–40 words per answer.

Formal In this part, you will read an email from an authority. You need to respond to the email in
writing 120 –150 words, using the notes provided, expressing how you feel about the situation.
Part 2
Preparation tips:
Make sure you are on-topic and that you use the appropriate register for the situation.
Avoid text message or social media language, instead focusing on formal writing.

Article In this part, you will write an article for a website that is both informative and interesting.
for website Notes about the topic are provided and you need to use the information to help write the
publication article. The article needs to be between 180–220 words.
Part 3
Preparation tips:
Try to make your article informative and interesting and use original text (i.e. don't just
copy the notes).
7 Aptis ESOL Advanced Test format overview

Aptis ESOL Advanced Speaking test

The Advanced Speaking test has four parts. For each question, you are given a maximum
amount of time to speak, but you can end the recording early by clicking on a stop button.

Part Description

Describe, In this part, you are asked to compare two pictures and then answer two questions
compare related to the topic.
and provide
The three questions increase in complexity (from description to speculation).
reasons
and expla- You are expected to talk for 45 seconds for each question.
nations
Part 1 Preparation tips:
To prepare for this part, it is a good idea to practise comparing two different
things (e.g. two cities or two houses). Focus on describing their advantages and
disadvantages.

With speculation, it is important to make sure you are using the correct grammatical
structures.

Discuss In this part, you will be asked three questions about an abstract topic. You are given
personal one minute to prepare an answer and can take notes.
experience
You are expected to talk for two minutes.
and opinion
in relation
Preparation tips:
to an
A common error is to go off topic. Focus on answering each question in clear,
abstract
smoothly flowing, well-structured speech.
topic
Part 2 To prepare for this part it is a good idea to practise speaking for two minutes on an
abstract topic (e.g. How do you feel about ________?).

Presen- In this part, you need to speak on a topic for one and a half minutes. You will have
tation and one minute to prepare.
question
After your presentation, you will be asked an additional question about the topic and
on your
asked to speak for 45 seconds.
presen-
tation There is no preparation time for this additional question.
Part 3 and 4
Preparation tips:
Structure your presentation and make sure you provide both sides of the argument.

Try to act like you are speaking to an audience or a group.

8 Aptis ESOL Advanced Test format overview

Your results

Aptis ESOL scores reflect candidates’ ability to understand and communicate in English.

How are the results presented?

The results from Aptis ESOL are presented in two ways:

• Numerical score: A scale of 0 to 50 for each skill tested and a score for the Grammar
and Vocabulary component.

• CEFR level by skill: A CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
level is allocated for each skill tested. If the components for all four skills have been completed
there will also be an overall CEFR level awarded. Each CEFR band describes the English
language competence in a specific skill and is described on the back of the individual
report.

QR Code:
The validity of Aptis ESOL results can be
confirmed by scanning the QR code or
by following the link at the bottom of the
certificate.

Test taker details and session

information
DEMO CUSTOMER 06.02.2023 ESOL~0000485

British Council Numerical Score:

Vietnam Aptis ESOL
Hanoi Advanced BC100000028 Passport Note that these scores should NOT be
4209211 compared across skills. This is because
benchmarks between CEFR levels vary
B2 according to skill.

The grammar and vocabulary score is

26/50
28/50
only reported as a numerical score. When
38/50
a candidate’s score in a particular skill
38/50
130/200 component falls just below a CEFR level
31/50

threshold, their performance in grammar

and vocabulary is taken into account in

07.02.2023 assigning the CEFR level.

CEFR Skill Profile:

https://credentials.britishcouncil.org/6b350b4d-43e9-49aa-89b5-b87d16e68dc5?key=c623b481d93761db5aa3b06b32c377ed7b05a477419ecdc1673bb19452381945

Provides CEFR levels across the different

skills tested. These can be compared.

Overall CEFR level:

Provided when all four skills have been tested.
© British Council 2023
The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries,
and builds trust between them worldwide. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales SC037733 (Scotland).