Overview of the Aptis ESOL Tests
This post will give you an overview of the most popular Aptis ESOL tests, and help you decide which one’s right for you. There are four variations, and we cover the following three on this site:
Aptis ESOL General, which tests from A1 to C on the CEFR and is suitable for most test-takers.
Aptis ESOL for Teachers, which tests from A1 to C on the CEFR and is designed for teachers.
Aptis ESOL Advanced, which tests English language ability from B1 to C2 on the CEFR and is aimed at higher-level test-takers.
You can find out more details about the CEFR here.
(The fourth variation is Aptis for Teens, which tests from A1 to C on the CEFR and is for candidates between the ages of 13 and 17. We don’t cover that here.)
All the Aptis ESOL tests are taken on a computer, follow a similar format and take a little over 2 hours to complete. They are all are four-skills, computer-based English tests, developed by the British Council, and regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). They test across the full range of the CEFR from A1 to C2. The tests include a range of questions, which are designed to allow candidates to show their best ability. The test results are reported on a numerical scale (0–50), as a level on the CEFR for each skill tested and as an overall CEFR level.
Here’s a brief summary of the structure and timings of each test. You’ll find links to more detailed explanations after each segment.
Aptis ESOL General Test (162 minutes)
Core test: grammar and vocabulary (25 mins)
25 grammar questions
25 vocabulary questions
Click here for an explanation of the grammar component, and here for vocabulary.
Reading test (35 mins)
Reading part 1: Sentence comprehension
Reading part 2: Text cohesion
Reading part 3: Opinion matching
Reading part 4: Long text comprehension
Click here for an overview of the Reading Test.
Listening test (40 mins)
Listening part 1: Information recognition
Listening part 2: Information matching
Listening part 3: Opinion matching
Listening part 4: Monologue comprehension
Click here for an overview of the Listening Test.
Writing test (50 mins)
Writing part 1: Word-level writing
Writing part 2: Short text writing
Writing part 3: Three written parts of text, all of which require responses
Writing part 4: Formal and informal writing
Click here for an overview of the Writing Test.
Speaking test (12 mins)
Speaking part 1: Personal information
Speaking part 2: Describe, express opinion and provide reasons and explanation
Speaking part 3: Describe, compare and provide reasons and explanations
Speaking part 4: Discuss personal experience and opinion on an abstract topic
Click here for tips on the Speaking Test.
Aptis ESOL for Teachers Test (162 minutes)
Core test: grammar and vocabulary (25 mins)
25 grammar questions
25 vocabulary questions
Click here for an explanation of the Teachers’ grammar component, and here for vocabulary.
Reading test (35 mins)
Reading part 1: Sentence comprehension
Reading part 2: Text cohesion
Reading part 3: Short text comprehension
Reading part 4: Long text comprehension
Click here for an overview of the Reading Test (General and for Teachers).
Listening test (40 mins)
Listening part 1: Word and number recognition
Listening part 2: Identifying specific information
Listening part 3: Inference
Overview of the Listening Test for Teachers coming soon.
Writing test (50 mins)
Writing part 1: Word-level writing
Writing part 2: Short text writing
Writing part 3: Three written parts of text, all of which require responses
Writing part 4: Formal and informal writing
Click here for an overview of the Writing Test (General and for Teachers).
Speaking test (12 mins)
Speaking part 1: Personal information
Speaking part 2: Describe, express opinion and provide reasons and explanation
Speaking part 3: Describe, compare and provide reasons and explanations
Speaking part 4: Discuss personal experience and opinion on an abstract topic
Click here for tips on the Speaking Test.
Aptis ESOL Advanced Test (170 minutes)
Core test: grammar and vocabulary (25 mins)
25 grammar questions
25 vocabulary questions
Click here for an explanation of the Advanced grammar component, and here for vocabulary.
Reading test (60 mins)
Reading part 1: Opinion matching
Reading part 2: Long text comprehension
Reading part 3: Reading for global understanding
Reading part 4: Reading across two texts
Overview of Advanced Reading Test coming soon.
Listening test (30 mins)
Listening part 1: Identifying factual information
Listening part 2: Identifying opinion and attitude
Listening part 3: Understanding an extended spoken text
Listening part 4: Understanding an extended story
Click here for an overview of the Advanced Listening Test.
Writing test (45 mins)
Writing part 1: Three written responses to questions
Writing part 2: Formal writing
Writing part 3: Article for website publication
Click here for an overview of the Advanced Writing Test.
Speaking test (10 mins)
Speaking part 1: Describe, compare and provide reasons and explanations
Speaking part 2: Discuss personal experience and opinion in relation to an abstract topic
Speaking part 3 and 4: Presentation and question on your presentation
Click here for tips on the Speaking Test.