ISE IV (C2)

Jump to: Exam format and timings   |   Guides   |   Portfolio   |   Controlled written exam   |   Interview   |   Videos   |   Further information

Exam format and timings

Trinity's ISE Paper at level ISE IV (C2) has a different format to ISE at levels A1-C1. Instead of two exam modules, there are three components:

Portfolio

Approx 6–12 weeks preparation time

  • 3x writing tasks (selected from a list of 15 tasks).

Controlled written exam

3 hours

  • 2x Reading into writing tasks
  • 1x Writing task

Interview

25 mins

  • 4x Speaking tasks
  • 1x Listening task

Guides

ISE IV Exam information

This booklet sets out the exam structure, content and timings. It also contains guidance notes for teachers and the exam rules and regulations.

View booklet

Exam administration

How to book exams and best practice guidance for registered centres.

View guide

Understanding results

How to interpret results to inform personalised skills development needs.

View guide

Performance descriptors

Performance descriptors are used for the assessment of all tasks within the Portfolio, Controlled Written exam and Interview.

Examiners and markers use the performance descriptors in combination with the specific requirements of ISE IV when making their assessments.

Portfolio Controlled written exam Interview

All results are collected and the overall result is calculated and checked.

Portfolio assessment

Students must complete selected portfolio of 3 writing tasks from the official Trinity list of 15 tasks.

Resources

Portfolio cover sheet Student Portfolio feedback form Sample Portfolio tasks Tips for preparing the Portfolio

ISE IV Portfolio — Example marked candidate responses

Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Response 4

Portfolio task list

A new task list is issued each year. Please ensure that tasks are selected from the correct year’s list.

The following tasks are valid for candidates taking exams from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.

Please note that candidates taking ISE IV Controlled Written exams in 2026 must select Portfolio tasks from the 2026 task list.

2026 ISE IV Portfolio tasks

Controlled written exam

A written test taken under controlled exam conditions at a Trinity Registered Exam Centre.

Tips for preparing for the exam

View tips

Sample papers

Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

Example marked candidate responses

Response 1 Response 2 Response 3

Interview

The third and final component of the ISE IV (C2) exam is an oral interview with a Trinity examiner.

The interview replicates real-life exchanges in which the candidate and the examiner pass on information, share ideas and opinions and debate topical issues.

In the interview the candidate is expected to display their ability to use the functional, grammatical, lexical and phonological items specified for ISE IV and the preceding levels.

Resources

The following resources are available for the ISE IV Interview part of the exam:

Guide for Teachers General information Preparing for the Formal topic presentation Preparing for the Topic discussion Preparing for the Interactive task Sample Interactive tasks Preparing for the Listening task Sample Listening tasks Preparing for the Conversation task

ISE IV (C2) Videos

This video shows what the exam is like. It is not intended to show model exam performance.

Watch a sample exam video and use the explanatory rationale below to see how it was marked.

Marking rationales

Leda rationale

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.

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