Section one: Listening “common for both Academic and General Training’’

It has four parts with 40 questions that include multiple-choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labeling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, and sentence completion. There is no fixed number of questions from the types. Part one is a conversation between two individuals, part two is a monologue/speech, part three is an academic conversation that can be with more than two people and part four is a monologue on an academic subject. The audio is played only once.

Section two: Reading “Different for Academic and General Training”

Academic section consists of 3 passages with long texts. The texts are taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. Each passage consists of 13-14 questions altogether 40 questions that include multiple-choice, sentence completion, summary writing, matching information, and short-answers.

General sections consist of 3 or 4 short passages that are generally taken from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and guidelines. The number of questions varies from passage to passage but altogether there are 40 questions. The question can be many from these types: multiple-choice, identifying information, identifying writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

Section three: Writing “Different for Academic and General Training”

Academic writing begins with describe image with the timing of 20 minutes. It has to be written in 150 words. The writing part is called task 1 that is expected to describe the following: graph, table, chart, or diagram. The second part is essay writing. It is called task 2 which has to be explained in 250 words in 40 minutes. This task assesses the ability to present a clear, relevant, and well-organized argument, giving evidence or examples to support ideas and use language accurately.

General writing begins with letter writing with the timing of 20 minutes. The length of writing is expected in 150 words. This part is called task 1 that is presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal, or formal in style. The second part is essay writing. It is also called task 2 which should be written in 250 words in 40 minutes. This part asks to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. The essay can be fairly personal in style.

Section four: Speaking “Same for Academic and General Training”

This section has three parts. This is face to face oral interview with the examiner and it is recorded. In the first part, the test taker is asked questions about him/herself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies, and interests. It lasts for 3 to 5 minutes with four to five questions. In the second part, the test taker is given a card asking to talk about a particular topic. One minute is given to prepare before speaking then two minutes for speaking. The third part is connected to part two. The questions are taken from the second part. This part lasts for 3 to 5 minutes with 3 to 5 questions.