LanguageCert exam guides
How each LanguageCert exam and skill works — format, timing, how it’s scored, and a real sample task. Built by a team that works on LanguageCert prep and nothing else.
Three exams, not one
LanguageCert Academic and General share question types, but the content differs in every skill: Academic Writing is a formal essay, General Writing an informal email or story; Academic Speaking ends with a talk about a chart, General with a talk on a topic. Prepare for the one you’re actually sitting.
LanguageCert Academic
For university study, the UK Student visa (as Academic SELT) and every Australian visa that needs English. Academic texts, lectures and a formal essay; reports B1 to C2.
LanguageCert General
For work and migration, including UK work visas such as Skilled Worker (as General SELT). Everyday and workplace English, with one informal writing task; reports A2 to C1.
LanguageCert ESOL SELT Speaking & Listening
A short live interview at A1, A2 or B1 for UK partner, parent, settlement and citizenship applications. Pass or Fail at the level you sit.
Not sure which? Find the exam for your visa or course.
Guides by exam and skill
Each guide covers the format part by part, how it’s marked, a worked example with the answer, the mistakes that cost marks, and what to expect on the day. Facts checked against LanguageCert’s own handbooks in October 2026.
LanguageCert Academic Reading
LanguageCert Academic Reading is 30 questions in 50 minutes, in five parts (1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 4), built on academic texts of up to 750 words. Every question is worth one mark, the total is converted to LanguageCert's 0–100 scale, and Academic reports CEFR levels B1 to C2.
Read the guideLanguageCert Academic Listening
LanguageCert Academic Listening takes about 40 minutes and has 30 questions in four parts: unfinished conversations, complete conversations, note completion from a lecture or talk, and a three-speaker academic discussion. You hear every recording twice.
Read the guideLanguageCert Academic Writing
LanguageCert Academic Writing has two formal tasks in 50 minutes: a 150–200 word report, argument or article based on a chart, infographic or text, in which you must take a stance, and a discursive piece of about 250 words. Task 1 is worth 40% and Task 2 60%, both marked on four criteria from 0 to 8.
Read the guideLanguageCert Academic Speaking
LanguageCert Academic Speaking is a one-to-one interview of about 14 minutes with a live examiner on screen. It has four parts: questions about you, two role plays, reading a short academic text aloud, and a two-minute talk based on a chart or infographic. It's marked on five criteria, and Task Fulfilment counts double.
Read the guideLanguageCert General Reading
LanguageCert General Reading is 30 questions in 50 minutes, in five parts (1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 4), using everyday, official and work texts of up to 550 words. It's marked by computer and reported on LanguageCert's 0–100 scale, from A2 to C1.
Read the guideLanguageCert General Listening
LanguageCert General Listening is 30 questions in about 35 minutes, in four parts: unfinished conversations, complete conversations, note completion from an informational talk, and a two-speaker discussion. Every recording is played twice, and the settings are everyday and work-related.
Read the guideLanguageCert General Writing
LanguageCert General Writing has two tasks in 45 minutes: a 100–150 word neutral or formal piece (a letter, email, report or review) responding to a short text, then a 150–200 word informal piece (an email to a friend, a story or an informal article). There's no essay. Task 1 is worth 40% and Task 2 60%.
Read the guideLanguageCert General Speaking
LanguageCert General Speaking takes about 12 minutes, just you and an examiner who joins by video. You answer everyday questions, act out two short everyday or work situations, read a passage aloud, and give a one-to-two-minute talk on a topic after 30 seconds' thinking time. Five criteria are marked; Task Fulfilment counts twice.
Read the guideLanguageCert ESOL SELT Speaking & Listening
The LanguageCert ESOL SELT Speaking & Listening test is a short live interview, 8 to 13 minutes depending on level, taken at A1, A2 or B1 for UK family, settlement and citizenship applications. It has four parts, with the listening built into Part 4, and you pass with 18 out of 30 (60/100).
Read the guide