Level 3 Speaking Exam

Parts of Speaking Test (level 3)

Parts Stage Timing

Part 1 Introduction and Interview 3-4 minutes

Part 2 Long Turn 3-4 minutes

Part 3 Discussion 3-4 minutes

 General Procedure/ Instructions
1. Two trained examiners in the room will share their duties. They should alternate duties
every 5 students. The examiner who is not interviewing when it is not his/her turn should
sit to the side and listen unobtrusively.

2. Do not explain any vocabulary in any part unless the test taker asks for the meaning of a
specific word.

3. If test takers express or indicate lack of understanding, repeat the question or statement.

4. If test takers still express or indicate lack of understanding, or do not respond at all after
the question has been repeated for the second time, then move on to the next question.
4. If a candidate speaks off- topic in Part 2, then, in the introduction to Part 3, bring
candidate back on-topic by saying: ‘ You have been speaking about ( whatever the off-
topic subject was) and I’d like to ask you on or two more general questions related to
the (title of Part 2 Topic)’.

5. If a test taker willingly terminates the examination before you have completed all 3
parts, (perhaps by standing up and expressing lack of understanding and then leaving
the room) then award a mark of zero.
 Part 1
3-4 minutes
Introduction and Interview
 Part 1 – Introduction and Interview (3 to 4 minutes)

1. Introduction and checking test takers’ identity.

2. Ask Either Question/Topic 1 OR Question/Topic 2. Be sure to alternate these with

different candidates.
3. Ask another question from questions 3 to 29. .
Examiner Script: Say this EXAXCTLY as scripted and try to say it
in such a way that you appear NOT to be reading. Speak slowly
and clearly throughout the exam.

Good morning /afternoon. My name is …………and I’m your

examiner. My colleague is here to listen and will not be
asking you questions. (indicate colleague).

Can you tell me your full name, please? And can I see your
identification?

Thank you. That’s fine. Now, in this first part of the test, I’d like
to ask you some questions about yourself.

Let’s talk about………

Example: Choose one of the following topics (1 OR 2), then
choose one topic from 3-29.
Let’s talk about your XXXXXXXXXX.

- When XXXXXXXX?
- How do you XXXXXXXX?
- Where do you XXXXXXXXXX?
- Who do you XXXXXXXXX?

Let’s talk about your XXXXXXX.

- Do you XXXXXXXXXXX?
- Who is XXXXXXXXXX? Why?
- Where is XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX?
- What do you usually XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX?
 Part 2
3-4 minutes
Long Turn
 Part 2 – Long Turn (3 to 4 minutes)
1. Part 2 is the individual long turn.

2. This follows a scripted frame to ensure consistency. Examiner gives a pencil

and paper and the topic card.

3. Time frame: Test taker has one minute to think and 1 to 2 minutes to talk about
the topic.

4. Vary the topic and do not simply use the topics in order.

5. Don’t speak while the candidate is speaking , but use gestures or vocalization
to encourage the TT to keep going.
6. If the TT stops speaking before the two minutes has elapsed , say ‘ Can you
tell me something else about this?’ If the TT has clearly not answered one or
more of the questions on the topic card, then use a pen/ pencil to point to this.

7. If time allows it, ask one or both of the rounding off questions unless the TT has
already spoken off- topic and rendered the questions irrelevant.
 Examiner Script: Say this EXAXCTLY as scripted and try to say it
in such a way that you appear NOT to be reading. Speak slowly
and clearly throughout the exam.
Now, I am going to give you a topic and I’d like you to talk about it for one to two
minutes. Before you talk, you will have one minute to think about what you are going
to say, and you may make some notes if you wish. Do you understand? Here is
some paper and a pencil for making your notes, (hand the test taker a piece of
paper and a pencil) and here is your topic (hand the test taker the topic card). I’d
like you to…..(TT topic).
………After one minute………
Now remember, you have one to two minutes for this, so don’t worry if I stop you . I'll
tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please.

Thank you. Can I have the topic card and the paper and the pencil back, please?
(Take back the pencil and paper and return topic cad to the file).
Example:

Speak about XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.

- What the XXXXXXXXXXX

- Who the XXXXXXXXXXXX
- How you XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
- Why you XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 Part 3
3-4 minutes
Discussion
 Part 3 – Discussion (3 to 4 minutes)
1. In part 3 using a scripted frame, the examiner reminds the TT of the topic s/he
has just been speaking about and asks some general questions related to that
topic.
2. The examiner asks the questions in a more general and abstract way to initiate
a discussion.
3. You should say like this……..You have been telling me about XXXXXXXX that
has changed the world in a good way, and now I would like to discuss with
you one or two more general questions related to this. Let’s consider first of
all……(questions)
 Part 3 – Discussion (3 to 4 minutes)

Any Questions or comments?