Speaking
15 min · pairs of candidates · two examiners (interlocutor + assessor) · 4 parts · 20% of the overall mark.
| Part | Name | Format | Task |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Interview | Examiner ↔ candidate · ~2 min | Answer personal questions about yourself, studies, work, interests, future plans. |
| 2 | Long Turn | Each candidate compares 2 of 3 photos for 1 min + partner responds 30 s · ~4 min total | Compare two photographs and answer an embedded question; partner gives a short follow-up answer. |
| 3 | Collaborative Task | Pair task with a prompt board · 2 min discussion + 1 min decision · ~4 min | Discuss written prompts around a central question, then reach a joint decision. |
| 4 | Discussion | Examiner-led discussion of Part 3 themes · ~5 min | Discuss broader, more abstract questions linked to the Part 3 topic. |
Assessment scales (each 0–5)
Grammatical Resource
Range and accuracy of C1 structures across all four parts.
Band 0–5
Lexical Resource
Range, precision and flexibility of vocabulary for everyday and abstract topics.
Band 0–5
Discourse Management
Extended, relevant, coherent contributions; cohesive devices used naturally.
Band 0–5
Pronunciation
Individual sounds, word stress, sentence stress, intonation — intelligible throughout.
Band 0–5
Interactive Communication
Initiates, responds, negotiates, develops the discussion with the partner.
Band 0–5
Cambridge Assessment English
Official Cambridge samples
Go and see the real paper — question layouts, timings and instructions straight from Cambridge. Opens on cambridgeenglish.org.