| Section | Internet Based Test (IBT) | | Paper-Based Test (PBT) |
| Reading |
3-5 passages from academic texts; approximately 700 words long; 12-14 questions per passage.
What's different?- Glossary to define key words; easy-to-use review feature
- New task – categorize information and fill in chart/complete summary
Time:60-100 minutes
Questions:36-70
Score Scale:0-30
| |
measures the ability to understand non-technical reading material.
Time:30 minutes
Questions:1 topic
Score Scale:31-67 |
| Listening |
4-6 lectures, some with classroom discussion; each 3-5 minutes long; 6 questions each. 2-3 conversations; each 3 minutes long; 5 questions each.
Time:60-90 minutes
Questions:34-51
Score Scale:0-30
10 minutes break
What's different?- Longer, more authentic conversations and lectures
- Note taking allowed
- New questions that measure understanding of a speaker's attitude, degree of certainty, purpose, or motivation
| |
Listening Comprehension measures the ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America.
3 – 4 mini-talks: each 60 – 90 seconds long, 3 – 5 questions each
2 – 3 extended conversations: each 60 – 90 seconds long, 3 – 5 questions each
30 – 40 dialogues: each 5 – 15 seconds long, 1 question each
Time:30-40 minutes
Questions:50
Score Scale:31-68 |
| Speaking |
2 tasks to express an opinion on a familiar topic; 4 tasks to speak based on what is read and listened to.
Up to 30 seconds to prepare the response
Up to 1 minute to respond
Time:20 minutes
Questions:6 tasks
Score Scale:0-4 points converted to 0-30
| |
No Speaking Section |
| Structure (grammar) |
No Structure Section
No grammar section, although grammar is evaluated in Speaking and Writing responses. | |
This part has 15 exercises of completing sentences correctly and 25 exercises of identifying errors.
Time:25 minutes
Score Scale:31-68 |
| Writing |
1 task to write based on what is read and listened to; 1 task to support an opinion on a topic.
Time:50 minutes
Questions:2 tasks
Score Scale:0-5 points converted to 0-30
| |
One essay with 250-300 words in average.
Time:30 minutes
Questions:1 topic
Score Scale:0-6 |
| Total score |
Score Scale:0-120 | |
Score Scale:310-677 |
