Skills for English Speaking Test (SELT)

Try a Sample Task

At B1 and B2 levels, you are required to deliver a short, uninterrupted talk about a chosen topic (such as your favourite travel experience). The screen displays prompt guidelines and a countdown timer.

Part 1: Topic Presentation Prep: 1 Min | Speak: 2 Mins

Prepare to talk for 2 minutes about a memorable journey you took. You should discuss:

Where you travelled and who you went with
How you travelled and what sights you saw
What was the most exciting event during the trip
Why you would or would not recommend this journey

Begin speaking when the recording alert flashes.

Speaking Test Structure

The speaking section is taken at a secure testing centre on a computer. You converse into a headset microphone, and your voice is recorded and graded later by human raters. The test length varies depending on your chosen CEFR target level.

A1 & A2 Levels (Spouse & Partner Visas)

2 Parts - 5 to 7 Minutes

Designed for basic conversational demands in everyday British environments:

Part 1 (Personal Q&A): Respond to simple questions about your daily life, name, hometown, interests, and family.
Part 2 (Situational Tasks): Make simple requests or respond to brief everyday scenarios based on text prompts displayed on screen.

Pro Tip: Keep your answers simple, clear, and direct. At this level, raters just want to see that you can communicate basic information without freezing. Speak in complete sentences where possible.

B1 & B2 Levels (Citizenship, Work & Study)

3 Parts - 10 to 12 Minutes

Tests your capacity to narrate events and discuss personal opinions cohesively:

Part 1 (Topic Talk): Deliver a continuous 2-minute talk on a topic you selected during booking (e.g. your local town, a sport you enjoy).
Part 2 (Follow-up Q&A): Respond to deep questions from the on-screen examiner about your chosen Part 1 topic.
Part 3 (General Discussion): Answer abstract questions about a related general theme.

Pro Tip: Make sure you prepare your topic talk thoroughly before arriving at the test centre! Write down key points (not a full script) and practise talking continuously for exactly 2 minutes.

C1 & C2 Levels (Advanced Professional Tiers)

4 Parts - 15 Minutes

Demands near-native vocabulary and formal presentation capacities:

Part 1 (Unprepared Talk): You get a complex prompt and must talk about it immediately without preparation.
Part 2 (Critical Justification): Discuss and defend your Part 1 arguments under deep, challenging follow-up questions.
Part 3 (Analytical Scenario): Describe and solve a complex workplace or social problem.
Part 4 (Global Debate): Natural conversational debate on abstract societal issues.

Watch an Example Test

Watch this demonstration of the secure computer interface to familiarise yourself with the recording buttons and headsets.

What are examiners listening for?

1. Pronunciation Clarity

Assessors listen to check if your voice is clear and easy to understand. Speaking with natural rhythm, word links, and correct stress is highly valued.
2. Task Fulfillment

Did you cover every bullet point in the prompts? Did you stay within the strict time limits? Answering the questions directly is vital.
3. Speech Cohesion

Tests if you can structure an argument. You must use transitions (such as 'on the other hand' or 'as a result') to link your paragraphs naturally.
4. Level-Appropriate Grammar

To pass, you must demonstrate you have reached the specific grammar requirements for your target level (such as using conditionals at B1/B2).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Skills for English accepted for UK Visas?

Yes. Skills for English (UKVI) is a Secure English Language Test (SELT) officially approved by the UK Home Office for all visa, settlement, and citizenship applications.

How does the computer speaking test work?

The test is taken at a secure centre on a computer. You wear a headset and speak your answers into a microphone in response to pre-recorded prompts displayed on the screen. There is no live human rater in the room.

How long are Skills for English test results valid?

Your results are valid for exactly two years from the date you complete the test, matching standard UKVI SELT guidelines.

Skills for English

Who is this exam for?