Four sections, about 30 minutes, all recorded. You do not need a perfect score — you need to stay inside the error limit in every section.
Section
What you do
The clock
1 · Interview
Answer questions about yourself and your work. Marked by people.
60 seconds per question · one repeat
2 · Radio dialogues
Ten short recordings, two questions each, three options.
15 seconds per question · one replay
3 · Photos
Five photographs. Choose the two true statements out of six.
45 seconds per photo
4 · Summaries
Part 1: read a report, then summarise it with five key words. Part 2: summarise a radio exchange. Marked by people.
90 s read + 90 s speak · 45 s speak
The error budget: up to 4 errors in a section is a pass. 2 or fewer is Level 5. 0 is Level 6. Your final level is your weakest skill, so one weak area matters more than five strong ones.
You are not sure of an answer in Section 2 and the clock is running. What is best?
Section 3 gives you six statements. How many are true?
Section 1 — rapid fire
Sixty seconds is longer than it feels. Use the same shape every time: answer in one sentence → give one reason or example → add a detail → finish with a short closing line. Say each answer aloud, not in your head.
Describe your job and what a normal day looks like.
When did you decide to do this work, and why?
What is the most important safety rule in your work, and what happens if it is broken?
Tell me about a mistake you or a colleague made, and what you learned.
How has your work changed in the last few years?
What would you do if you could not understand a message?
Pick any question from the list above. Answer aloud for the full minute.
01:00
A strong shape: “I work as a ____ . (answer) The main reason is ____ . (reason) For example, last week ____ . (detail) So overall, ____ .” Use past, present and future where they fit, and link your ideas with because, so, however.
Now a different question from the list. Aim for no pauses longer than three seconds.
01:00
If you stop, use a bridge and carry on: “Let me put it another way…” / “What I mean is…” / “To give you an example…”
You cannot think of the exact word. What is best?
Sections 2 and 3 — the habits that save points
These sections are scored automatically, so no one rewards a good try — only the right choice. Small habits make the difference.
Section 2: read both questions before the recording plays. Listen for numbers, names and the one thing that goes wrong. The last thing said is often the answer.
Section 3: check each statement for where, how many, what stage, who does what, and whether it is in the picture at all. One wrong detail makes the whole statement false.
In Section 2 you hear: “Request descent to flight level one two zero.” Later: “Correction, flight level one zero zero.” What is the final level?
A statement says: “Two vehicles are next to the aircraft.” You can see three. What do you do?
A statement says: “The aircraft is taking off.” The photo shows an aircraft on the runway with no way to tell if it is moving. What is the safest thought?
You hear a callsign you did not catch. What do you listen for next?
Section 4 — one more run
Read the report for 90 seconds. Make notes on paper. Then cover it, read the five key words, and speak for 90 seconds. All five words, exactly as written.
Report. During a routine morning inspection, a ground crew member noticed a crack in the housing of a taxiway edge light. The area was closed immediately and the duty manager was informed. Aircraft were redirected to another taxiway, which added about ten minutes to each departure. A maintenance team arrived within the hour and the light was repaired by midday. Nobody was hurt and no aircraft were damaged.
01:30
Key words
inspectioncrackredirectedhoweverrepaired
Cover the report and summarise it aloud, using all five key words.
01:30
During a routine inspection, a crew member found a crack in a taxiway light. The area was closed and the manager was told. Aircraft were redirected, however this made each departure about ten minutes slower. A team came within the hour and the light was repaired by midday. Nobody was hurt.
Which sentence uses the key word correctly?
When it goes wrong — and it will, a little
Everyone loses a word or misses a number during the test. The skill is recovering in the same breath. Learn these and say them out loud until they are automatic.
Situation
Say
You did not hear it
Say again, please.
You said the wrong word
Correction… (then the right word)
You need a second
Let me think for a moment. / Let me put it another way.
You lost the word
What I mean is… / It is a kind of…
You are not sure of a fact
As far as I know… / I believe…
You want to add something
Also… / In addition… / However…
You say “The runway is closed” but meant “the taxiway is closed”. Best recovery?
You need two seconds to think. What is best?
Final checklist
A short list to check before and during the test.
Before the test
During the test
Keep in mind: examiners are listening for clear communication, not perfection. Speak slowly, finish your sentences, and keep going.