The Reading module is adaptive, so there is not a fixed number of questions. Each question the candidate answers helps the computer to understand their level better. The test finishes when the candidate has answered enough questions to identify their level accurately.

Number of questions: variable

Types of questions: Reading tasks

Candidates will see a selection of the following task types:

• Open cloze: A text with 5 gaps, each to be filled with a single grammatical word. The length of the text may range between 60 – 150 words depending on the level.
• Multiple choice cloze: A text with 5 gaps each with 3 or 4 multiple choice options (3 at B1, 4 at B2 and above). The length of the text may range between 60 – 150 depending on the level.
• Cross Text Matching: Candidates read across four texts on the same topic in order to find the relevant information to match to prompts or questions. The combined length of all texts may range between 500 – 600 words.
• Discrete Cloze: A gapped sentence task with a single 3 or 4-option multiple-choice item.
• Reading Discrete with a graphic: Candidates read a short text e.g. a notice or a message and answer a single 3-option multiple-choice question. Some contextual support is available for the presentation of texts including pro-forma templates such as email screens, post-it notes, telephone messages, other templates such as notices and labels, and a variety of fonts and text styles. No other visual support (e.g., an image) is included in the task.
• Gapped Text, Sentences: Candidates read a long text with five gaps representing extracted sentences. Candidates match the extracted sentences to the gaps, selecting from a set of eight options, five of which are keys while three are distractors.
• Gapped Text, Paragraphs: Candidates read a text from which five sections have been removed and fill each gap by choosing the appropriate paragraph from six options 5 of which are keys while 1 is a distractor. The total text length of the text (i.e. base text plus the six paragraph options) may range between 600 – 700 words.
• Comprehension Task with 5 items: This is a reading comprehension text followed by five 3- or 4-option multiple choice questions. Texts may range between 300 – 600 words depending on level of difficulty.
• Comprehension Task with 2 items: This is a reading comprehension task but with a shorter text and just two 4-option multiple-choice questions. Texts may range between 200 – 250 words depending on level of difficulty.

The Listening module is adaptive, so there is not a fixed number of questions. Each question the candidate answers helps the computer to understand their level better. The test finishes when the candidate has answered enough questions to identify their level accurately.

Types of questions: Listening tasks

• 5-item comprehension: Five multiple choice questions, each with four written options based on a script read by one, two, or occasionally three actors. The script is between 400 and 750 words depending on the level.
• 2-item comprehension: Two multiple choice questions, each with three written options based on a script read by one or two actors. The script is between 160 and 300 words depending on the level.
• 1-item comprehension: One multiple choice question with three written options, or three images, based on a script read by one or two actors. The script is between 120 and 150 words depending on the level.
• Note completion: A title and five gapped sentences summarising key points from a monologue. The monologue is 300 to 400 words depending on the level. Each gap can be completed with up to three words heard in the script and be no longer than 24 characters.
• One question multimatching: A series of five themed monologues of approximately 30 seconds each. The same question is asked of each monologue and candidates must select the correct answer for each from a list of eight options.
• Two question multi-matching: A series of three themed monologues of approximately 30 – 40 seconds each (90 to 120 words). The same two questions are asked of each monologue and candidates must select the correct answer for each from a list of five options per question. The order of information is not set and so candidates must hold two listening goals in mind for each speaker.

The Writing module asks candidates to input their response using a computer keyboard. A candidate’s response will be examiner marked initially.

• The Writing test comprises one task. Candidates have 45 minutes to write their response. For Linguaskill General, candidates are asked to write an essay, and for Linguaskill Business, they are asked to write a report. For both the essay and report, candidates are instructed to write at least 250 words.

The Speaking module is taken using a computer with a microphone and headphones. Questions are presented to the candidate through the computer screen and headphones, and their responses are recorded.

Linguaskill Speaking and Linguaskill Business Speaking tests are assessed by using human examiners or market-leading automarking technology, known as hybrid marking.

There are five sections in the Speaking module:

• Part 1 – Presentation: The candidate is given a topic, with three bullet points, to talk about for 1 minute.
• Part 2.1 – Summary: Candidates listen to an audio extract of a meeting or tutorial in which four key points are given. Candidates then have 40 seconds to summarise the four key points for a colleague or classmate who was unable to attend.
• Part 2.2 – Discussion questions: Candidates listen to and give their opinions in answer to three follow-up questions from the same colleague or classmate about the same topic.
• Part 3 – Recommendation: Candidates see a friend’s or colleague’s requirements in a text message format, read supplementary information given and then make a recommendation to meet their friend’s or colleague’s requirements.
• Part 4 – Argument presentationand evaluation: Candidates are given a statement and have to consider arguments both for and against it. They should reach a conclusion, providing reasons to support their final argument.