GESE Exam Format and Procedure
GESE Exam format Grades 4, 5 and 6
The exam at each grade consists of the following:
● greetings and setting at ease
● discussion of a prepared topic
● conversation on two subject area
● end of conversation and leave taking.
Exam procedure for GESE Grades 4, 5 and 6
● The examiner begins by greeting the candidate, trying to set him or her at ease and asking to see the candidate’s identification for Grade 5 and above.
● The examiner asks the candidate for the Topic form and the candidate tells the examiner what he or she is going to talk about.
● During the Topic phase, the examiner randomly selects one of the discussion points on the Topic form and asks the candidate questions and makes comments to facilitate a spontaneous discussion about the prepared topic. This continues until at least four points on the Topic form have been
covered. During the Topic phase, the candidate asks the examiner at least one question related to the topic. This phase lasts up to five minutes.
● The examiner then closes this phase of the exam and moves on to the conversation.
● During the Conversation phase, the examiner selects one of the subject areas listed for the grade and engages the candidate in genuine conversation. This is repeated with a second subject area chosen by the examiner. During the conversation the candidate gives information, makes statements and responds as appropriate. In addition, at Grade 5 the candidate must ask the examiner at least one question related to the subject areas being discussed and at Grade 6 the candidate must ask at least two questions. This phase lasts up to five minutes.
● The examiner brings the conversation and the exam to an end.
GESE Grade 5 Requirements by the British Home Office
Speaking & Listening exams at B1 entry 3 level are needed when you are applying for UK Citizenship along with the Life in the UK test. This is the Trinity College London GESE grade 5 Speaking & Listening exam.
GESE Exam format for Grades 1, 2 and 3
The exam at each grade consists of the following:
● greetings and setting at ease
● discussion of a prepared topic
● conversation
● end of conversation and leave taking.
GESE Exam procedure for Grades 1, 2 and 3
● The examiner begins by greeting the candidate and trying to set him or her at ease.
● The conversation is then initiated by the examiner who gives the candidate the opportunity to demonstrate both through speech and actions the range of language required at this stage.
● During the conversation, the candidate is required to display understanding through gesture and simple actions, such as moving around the room or pointing to specific objects, and by giving short responses using the language of the grade.
● At Grades 2 and 3, the candidate asks the examiner at least one simple question during the exam.
● Examiners select their own materials appropriate to the age and maturity of the candidate. These could include everyday objects and pictures which can be used to engage the candidate’s interest, elicit the language of the grade and encourage the conversation to develop. The examiner may also refer to the immediate surroundings of the exam room, school or centre.
● The examiner brings the conversation to an end by thanking the candidate and saying goodbye.
The candidate is expected to say goodbye.
GESE Assessment
At the Initial stage, the examiner assesses the candidate’s performance by awarding a letter grade
A, B, C or D. These levels can be classified as follows:
● A — Distinction (reflects an excellent performance)
● B — Merit (reflects a good performance)
● C — Pass (reflects a satisfactory performance)
● D — Fail (reflects an unsatisfactory performance).
The examiner completes an individual Exam report form immediately after the exam. The Exam report form provides an indication of the result of the exam and identifies key areas for improvement. The final result is confirmed by the issue of a certificate (or otherwise) within a specified period after the exam.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to use the communicative skills, language functions and language items listed for the grade (and for the previous grades where applicable).
Therefore, those responsible for preparing candidates for the exam should ensure that the candidates are completely familiar with the language items, understand their meaning and can use them accurately and appropriately.
● At Grade 1, candidates are expected to answer the examiner’s questions with very short, mostly
one or two word responses as well as with gestures and actions.
● At Grade 2, it is acceptable for candidates to answer the examiner’s questions with a few words, very short responses or full sentences. Candidates are expected to provide simple descriptions of people and objects using basic phrases and sentences. In the exam candidates are required to ask the examiner at least one very simple question about personal details.
● At Grade 3, candidates are expected to link groups of words with simple connectors, e.g. ‘My brother’s tall and he’s got black hair’. In the exam candidates are required to ask the examiner at least one simple question about everyday life.
GESE Exam Guidance
● At the Initial stage, questions and answers play an important part in the conversation, but the examiner aims to enable the candidate to participate in a genuine two-way exchange within the linguistic limits set.
● The examiner will speak slowly and clearly throughout and will allow the candidate time to process what is heard and formulate a response.
● The examiner will provide support in the form of repetition and rephrasing.
● Candidates should ask for repetition of anything they have not heard clearly or understood. Simple phrases such as ‘Can you repeat that, please?’ or ‘Sorry?’ are ideal for this purpose. However, overuse of such phrases will be taken as an indication that the candidate is having persistent difficulty understanding the examiner and this will affect the assessment.
GESE Grade 2 Requirements by the British Home Office
If you are applying for a Spouse / Partner Visa you will need GESE Grade 2 Speaking & Listening A1 / ESOL Entry 1. This is suitable for Spouse and Partner Visas on FLR (M) and suitable for Parents of Dependents FLR (O). The exam must be taken at a SELT Test Centre. We can help with exam preparation before you take your test at your chosen SELT centre.
