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Exam format and timings
The ISE I (B1) exam is taken in two modules — Reading & Writing and Speaking & Listening (by face-to-face video conference). Once the two modules have been passed at the same level, a certificate for the full qualification is awarded.
The four skills are assessed both independently and in an integrated way:
Reading & Writing
2 hours
- 2x Reading tasks:
Long reading | Multi-text reading - 1x Reading into writing task
- 1x Extended writing task
Speaking & Listening*
18 mins
- 2x Speaking tasks:
Topic discussion task | Conversation task - 2x Independent listening tasks
*by video conference
Guides for students
Guides for teachers
Guide for Teachers
Everything you need to know to prepare students for the exams — the exam structure, content, timings and what candidates need to be able to do at this level.
View guideScheme of Work for teachers
Example 8 week coursework plan and activities for teachers to use and adapt.
View guideExam information booklets
Click each button below to view the information booklet for each exam.
Reading & Writing Speaking & ListeningSkills development tables
Click each button below to view the skills development table for each skill area.
Speaking Listening Reading WritingPractice activities
Reading and Writing
Task 2 — Multi-text reading
Task 3 — Reading into writing
Task 4 — Extended writing
Writing genres
Writing in specific genres for the exam – eg a letter, email, essay, review, report, etc.
Building process writing skills
Portfolio Toolkit for teachers – ISE I — a method for teachers to help students build process writing skills (not assessed).
Sample exam papers
Practise answering typical exam questions:
Paper 1 (with notes) Paper 1 (with answers) Paper 2 (with answers) Paper 3 (with answers) Paper 4 (with answers) Paper 5 (with answers) Paper 6 (with answers) Paper 7 (with answers)
Marking and interpreting outcomes:
How to mark practice ISE exam materials Example marked candidate responses
Speaking & Listening
Additional speaking resources
The following additional speaking activities at CEFR level B1 are informed by insights gained from the Trinity Lancaster Spoken Learner Corpus research project. Learning from prior Trinity speaking assessment results, these activities focus on practising aspects of speaking that will help students improve their communication skills in all situations.
Independent listening activities — Task 1
Use these example audio resources to help prepare for the Independent listening exam task 1.
Independent listening activities — Task 2
Use these example audio resources to help prepare for the Independent listening exam task:
ISE I (B1) Videos
These videos show what the exam is like. They are not intended to show model exam performance.
Watch sample exam videos and use the explanatory rationales to see how they were marked:
Further information
Find information on how to mark practice ISE exam materials and interpret outcomes.
Learn more about results and certificates and how to use diagnostics reports to inform personalised skills development needs
For further listening practice test examples please visit the ISE (paper edition) Listening TasksTrinity College London Press ebook store
.