LanguageCert International ESOL
A1 Preliminary

Written (Listening, Reading, Writing) and Spoken (Speaking) exams in English, aligned to the A1 level of the CEFR*. Exams are delivered through our global network of Test Centres.

About LanguageCert International ESOL A1:

Leads to two separate certificates: Written and Spoken
Both exams can be taken together or independently of each other

Written exam:

Paper-based or computer-based
Duration 1 hour 40 minutes

Spoken exam:

Face-to-face
Duration 6 minutes

At A1 level, candidates can:

use familiar everyday language and very basic expressions.
interact in a basic manner.

Key features

Exam Level

Exam Format

Pass Mark

Skills

Grade Boundaries

Written (Paper-based or Computer-based)

Spoken (Face-to-face)

Written: 50% (75/150)

Spoken: 50% (25/50)

Written (Listening, Reading, Writing)

Spoken (Speaking)

Candidate are awarded High Pass, Pass or Fail

High Pass

101-150/150 (Written)

38-50/50 (Spoken)

Pass

75-100/150 (Written)

25-37/50 (Spoken)

Fail

0-74/150 (Written)

0-24/50 (Spoken)

Exam format

Listening: 20 minutes

Reading & Writing: 80 minutes

Speaking: 6 minutes

LISTENING

Part 1: 7 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)

Task: Listen twice to match 7 short statements to letters, words, graphics and symbols

Part 2: 7 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task: Listen twice to choose the best reply to 7 short utterances

Part 3: 6 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task: Listen twice to 6 short conversations between 2 speakers to identify: topic, purpose, context, speakers, gist, relationship between speakers, functions, attitudes, feeling and opinions

Part 4: 6 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task: Listen twice to a conversation between 2 speakers to identify specific information

READING

Part 1: 6 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)

Task: Choose the correct multiple choice option to fill in the gaps

Part 2: 5 multiple choice questions (fill in an incomplete text, 1 option is a distractor)
Task: Choose the correct options to fill the gaps in the text

Part 3: 7 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task: Choose the correct text for the corresponding question

Part 4: 8 questions (match each statement to the appropriate notice)
Task: Choose the correct multiple choice option for the corresponding statement

WRITING

Part 1: 4 sentences in about 30 words (to communicate ideas or basic information)

Task: Write 4 sentences on a given topic, e.g. about themselves, daily life, people, where they live, what they do

Part 2: 20 - 30 words (short simple text for an intended audience)
Task: Write a letter, card, postcard or message about 2 given functions

SPEAKING

Part 1:

Task:

Give and spell name
State country of origin
Answer 5 questions

Part 2:
Task:

2 or 3 situations are presented by the interlocutor
Candidates are expected to respond to questions and initiate interactions

Part 3:
Task: Exchange information to identify similarities and differences in pictures depicting familiar situations

Part 4:
Task:

Candidates are given 30 seconds preparation time
Talk about a topic provided by the interlocutor for half a minute
Answer follow-up questions

For more detailed information, download the LanguageCert Qualification Handbook for International ESOL (Listening, Reading, Writing).

For more detailed information, download the LanguageCert Qualification Handbook for International ESOL Speaking.

Download

LanguageCert International ESOL A1 Preliminary

Key features

Exam format

LanguageCert International ESOL
A1 Preliminary