Jump to: Grades | Learner support resources | Exam information
What is GESE?
Your GESE exam will be face-to-face with a Trinity examiner, either via video conference in an exam centre or in person with an examiner in an exam centre. The format of the exam is a discussion that lets you show what you can do in English to your best ability.
CEFR = Common European Framework of Reference for languages
CSE = China's Standards of English Language Ability
Which grade is right for you?
GESE exams are available at different grades, each linked to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This helps you choose the exam that best matches your current English level.
How to choose your grade
- If you’re just starting out, or can handle simple everyday conversations, Grades 1–2 (A1) may be right for you.
- If you can talk about familiar topics and experiences, Grades 3–4 (A2) are a good fit.
- If you can express opinions and handle practical situations, consider Grades 5–6 (B1).
- If you can discuss a wide range of topics in detail, Grades 7–9 (B2) are suitable.
- If you use English confidently and fluently in complex discussions, Grades 10–12 (C1) offer an advanced challenge
If you’re unsure, ask your teacher or take a level check to find the grade that will help you show your best performance on exam day.
Learner support resources
Understand, prepare and practise — get ready for your exam using Trinity resources. A range of study guides, videos and activities are available below.
Guides and activities
Sample exam videos
Watch these sample videos to see what the exam is like — they are not intended to be model performances.
Exam information
What happens in the exam?
GESE is a one-to-one speaking and listening exam with a trained Trinity examiner. It is designed to feel like a real conversation, helping you show how well you can use English in everyday situations.
- You’ll take part in a spoken interaction with the examiner
- There is no written test and no pass/fail score – you receive a grade result
- The exam takes place on one day, in a single session
Format and tasks (by grade)
The tasks you complete depend on the grade you choose:
- Grades 1–2 (A1)
Short conversation on familiar topics, listening and responding to simple questions. - Grades 3–4 (A2)
Conversation plus a brief topic discussion, showing you can talk about everyday experiences. - Grades 5–6 (B1)
Extended discussion, including expressing opinions and giving reasons. - Grades 7–12 (B2–C1)
In-depth discussion of prepared and unfamiliar topics, showing fluency, accuracy and confidence.
Exam timings increase with grade, ranging from around 5 minutes at lower grades to 25 minutes at higher grades.
How can you take the exam?
GESE is available through three flexible delivery methods:
- In person at a test centre
Take the exam face to face with an examiner at an approved Trinity centre. - Online at a test centre
Sit the exam online at a centre, using Trinity’s secure digital system. - Online at home
You can take grades 1–4 remotely from home, with live examiner interaction and secure exam conditions.
Your school or centre will let you know which option is available to you.
Zoom app
If you’re taking an online exam, you should also download and practise using Zoom, so that you feel familiar with waiting rooms and chat boxes.
Download the Zoom appGESE Home
Watch this video below to find out how to prepare to take GESE Home exams.
Download the Procedures for candidates and chaperones PDF checklist for information about how to get ready to take GESE Home exams.
Results
- Your performance is assessed by the examiner during the exam
- Results are typically issued within a few weeks
- You’ll receive an official Trinity certificate, mapped to the CEFR level of your grade
GESE exams are designed to be supportive, practical and focused on real communication — so you can show what you can really do in English. Examiners assess exam performance using an A–D rating scale. They award a letter grade — A, B, C or D — for each exam task — and they use performance band descriptors to decide what grade to award.
The document Understanding GESE results (Grades 1-6) illustrates features of typical candidate performances for each band at Grades 1-6.
Calculating the overall result
There are four possible results for any GESE exam: Pass with Distinction | Pass with Merit | Pass | Fail
The overall result is based on the grades achieved in the individual exam tasks — GESE conversion tables show how this is calculated.
