GETS Higher

Listening
4 parts, 30 questions. Approximately 40 minutes duration. Recording is played twice.
Task types include, Multiple choice, True/False, Table completion, Sentence completion, Gap-fill
Reading
5 parts, 40 questions, 60 minutes duration.
Task types include, Gapped text, Multiple matching, Multiple choice, True/False/Not given
Writing
3 tasks, 60 minutes duration.
Task 1 requires writing Email, Message, Note or a Short personal letter.
Task 2 requires Comparing, contrast and summaries the key points of input data or graphical information.
Task 3 requires presenting a piece of discursive writing as a summary of the arguments for and against a particular viewpoint and one’s opinion about a topic or subject of general interest. Test takers may be required to outline a problem, present a solution or their opinion and justify it.
Speaking
5 parts, 12 to 14 minutes of interaction.
Part 1 – Answer questions on family, home, interests, study, work and other familiar topics
Part 2 – Read aloud four sentences
Part 3 – Talk on a general topic for one minute. Candidates are provided verbal prompts and are given 30 seconds to prepare.
Part 4 – Make comparisons between two pictures on a related theme. Test-takers are required to talk for 1 – 2 minutes.
Part 5 – Answer general questions related to the theme of the pictures in Part 4. Candidates are required to express their views and feelings, expand and support their ideas and provide extended responses.

Listening
Following dictation of spellings of names, places, numbers, currency, timings; Listening for specific information and details; Listening for detailed meaning; Listening to identify attitude and opinion of the speakers; Listening for detail; Listening for gist and overall meaning.
Reading
Reading for gist and global meaning; Reading for specific information and details; Reading to understand the main ideas; Reading for detailed comprehension; Reading to interpret information; Understanding attitudes and opinions and writer’s purpose; Following text organisation features; Understanding text structure; Understanding meaning from context.
Writing

• Task Fulfilment or Task Realization: This basically grades whether you have answered the question fully. It marks whether you have addressed all parts of the task and covered all requirements of the task sufficiently.
• Organisation and Cohesion: Organising your writing, coherence and cohesion normally go together. It basically checks how your writing fits together. Does your writing, with its ideas and content, flow logically? Coherence is how you are making yourself understood and whether the reader of your writing understands what you are saying
• Language – Accuracy and Range: Academic Writing requires the use of correct language including vocabulary, grammar, sentence construction etc. and being able to appropriately use precise language to present ideas accurately. To demonstrate that you have great language skills you must use a variety of words and a range of structures.

Speaking

• Task Achievement: Task Achievement basically grades you on whether ‘you have answered the question’ or done what you were required to do. It marks whether you have covered all requirements of the task sufficiently and if you spoke, highlighted and illustrated the key points when speaking.
• Fluency and Coherence: This checks your ability to talk with normal levels of continuity, rate and effort and to link ideas and language together to form coherent, connected speech. Key indicators of fluency are speech rate and speech continuity.
• Pronunciation: Your ability to produce comprehensible speech to fulfil the speaking test requirements is marked under Pronunciation. Key indicators of Pronunciation are the amount of strain caused to the listener, the amount of speech which is unintelligible and the noticeability of L1 influence (first language influence)
• Grammar and Vocabulary: This assesses your range and approximate use of grammatical resources. The key indicators are the length and complexity of the spoken sentences, the appropriate use of subordinate clauses and the range of sentence structures, especially to move elements around for information focus. It also covers the variety of words used and the precision with which meanings and attitudes can be expressed. This tests your ability to use appropriate words and to circumlocute.

• • • Each module carries 25% weightage.
    • Scores are reported out of 100.
    • Listening: One mark for each correct answer. No negative mark.
    • Reading: One mark for each correct answer. No negative mark.
    • Writing: Marked by Certified Examiners using the GETS Scale of English Writing Marking Guides and descriptors aligned to the CEFR
    • Speaking: Marked by Certified Examiners using the GETS Scale of English-Speaking Marking Guides and descriptors aligned to the CEFR.

A quick look at the GETS Higher Scores mapped to the GETS Levels and CEFR.
The test report shows the Scores achieved, the GETS Level and the CEFR equivalency.

• • • Practice Test for offline practice
    • Online Practice Test for online practice
    • eBook with integrated Videos
    • Printed book with answer keys and tips
    • Video speaking practice with experts
    • Feedback on Writing and Speaking practice
    • Mobile App support