Candidates are expected to deal confidently with published text such as fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and manuals. The tasks may require skills including very detailed reading, following an argument, coherence and linking, looking for specific information and skim reading.

Candidates are expected to show that they can produce two different pieces of writing, such as essays, reports and reviews. The candidate will be required to integrate a summary of key points which they have read in the essays provided, evaluate the abstract arguments involved and include their own ideas on the topic in a coherent essay.

Candidates are expected to follow and understand the meaning of spoken materials such as lectures, speeches and interviews. They will need to demonstrate the ability to listen for opinion, gist, detail, and inference.

Candidates are expected to show their ability to take part in different types of interaction with the speaking examiners and their speaking partner. They must demonstrate the ability to speak on their own for a longer time, expressing and justifying opinions, and developing topics.