LANGUAGECERT International ESOL A1 Preliminary

Written (Listening, Reading, Writing) and Spoken (Speaking) exams in English, aligned to the A1 level of the CEFR*. Exams are delivered through our global network of Test Centres.

About LANGUAGECERT International ESOL A1:

  • Leads to a four-skills certificate (two separate certificates for Written and Spoken are also available)
  • Both exams can be taken together or independently of each other

Written exam:

  • Paper-based or computer-based
  • Duration 1 hour 40 minutes

Spoken exam:

  • Face-to-face
  • Duration 6 minutes

At A1 level, candidates can:

  • use familiar everyday language and very basic expressions.
  • interact in a basic manner.

*Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), developed by the Council of Europe, is widely used to describe levels of language proficiency.

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Two exams available at this level: Written and Spoken. Both exams can be taken together or independently.

Test Centre exams

Take an exam at a LANGUAGECERT approved Test Centre.

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Key features
 EXAM LEVEL  A1
 FORMAT Paper-based or computer-based
 PASS MARK 50% (75/150) 
 SKILLS Written (Listening, Reading, Writing)
GRADE BOUNDARIES
 Candidates are awarded High Pass, Pass or Fail
High Pass 101-150 / 150
Pass          75-100 / 150
Fail           0-74 / 150

For more detailed information, download the LanguageCert Qualification Handbook for International ESOL (Listening, Reading, Writing). 
Exam format
Paper Based 1 hour & 40 minutes
Listening

20 minutes

Reading & Writing

1 hours & 20 minutes uninterrupted

Computer-based 1 hour & 40 minutes
Listening

20 minutes

Reading & Writing

1 hours & 20 minutes uninterrupted

Online 1 hour & 40 minutes
Listening

20 minutes

Reading & Writing

1 hours & 20 minutes uninterrupted

Listening

Part 1: 7 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task: Listen twice to match 7 short sentences to letters, words, graphics and symbols

Part 2: 7 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task: Listen twice to choose the best reply to 7 short sentences

Part 3: 6 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task: Listen twice to 6 short conversations between 2 speakers to identify: topic, purpose, context, speakers, gist, relationship between speakers, functions, attitudes, feeling and opinions

Part 4: 6 questions (a form with 6 headings)
Task:  Listen twice to a person talking to identify specific information. Jot down answers consisting of 1 to 3 words

Reading

Part 1: 6 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task: Choose the correct multiple choice option to fill in the gaps

Part 2: 6 multiple choice questions (fill in an incomplete text, 1 option is a distractor)
Task: Choose the correct options to fill the gaps in the text

Part 3: 7 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task: Choose the correct text for the corresponding question

Part 4: 7 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)
Task: Choose the correct multiple choice option for the corresponding statement

Writing

Part 1: 30 - 50 words (communicate ideas or basic information)
Task: Write a letter on a given topic

Part 2: 30 - 50 words (short simple text for an intended audience)
Task: Write a letter, card, postcard or message
Results, certificates and digital badges

Statement of Result (SoR) & e-certificate sent by email or through the Test Centre;

  • 3 business days for Online exams with remote, live invigilation
  • 5 business days for computer-based exams
  • 10 business days for paper-based exams

Digital badges are available in 10 business days and sent by email.

Hard-copy certificates are sent either to the candidate or to the Test Centre shortly after results are released.
Official practice material

Download
Books

We work with prominent publishing houses to ensure that our partners and candidates have access to top quality learning materials for LanguageCert International ESOL exams. Below is a list of available books linked to publishers’ websites:

Burlington Books

Global ELT

Key features
 EXAM LEVEL  A1
 FORMAT Face-to-face
 PASS MARK 50% (25/50) 
 SKILLS Spoken (Speaking)
GRADE BOUNDARIES
 Candidates are awarded High Pass, Pass or Fail
High Pass 38-50 / 50
Pass          25-37 /50
Fail           0-24 / 50

For more detailed information, download the LanguageCert Qualification Handbook for International ESOL Speaking. 
Exam format
Face-to-face
Speaking

6 minutes

Online
Speaking

6 minutes

Speaking

Part 1
Task:  • Give and spell name
            • State country of origin
            • Answer 5 questions

Part 2
Task: • 2 or 3 situations are presented by the interlocutor
           • Candidates are expected to respond to questions and initiate interactions

Part 3
Task:  • Exchange information to identify similarities and differences in pictures depicting familiar situations

Part 4
Task:  • Candidates are given 30 seconds preparation time
            • Talk about a topic provided by the interlocutor for 1 minute
            • Answer follow-up questions

 

 
Results, certificates and digital badges

Statement of Result (SoR) & e-certificate sent by email or through the Test Centre;

  • 3 business days for Online exams with remote, live invigilation
  • 10 business days for face to face exams

Digital badges are available in 10 business days and sent by email.

Hard-copy certificates are sent either to the candidate or to the Test Centre shortly after results are released.
Official practice material

Download

Books

We work with prominent publishing houses to ensure that our partners and candidates have access to top quality learning materials for LanguageCert International ESOL exams. Below is a list of available books linked to publishers’ websites:

Burlington Books

Global ELT

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LanguageCert level check

LanguageCert International ESOL exams are mapped to the CEFR. Candidates can quickly identify which LanguageCert International ESOL exam level they need by taking our level check quiz.

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