Aptis Advanced Writing: three parts in 45 minutes (three replies, formal email, article), the only Writing that reaches C2, and how to prepare.
The Aptis Advanced Writing lasts 45 minutes and has three parts. There is no single-word part: everything is writing with a minimum length. Here is what each part asks and what separates C1 from C2.
General certifies up to C1. Advanced measures B1 to C2 and is the only variant that certifies C2. See the home page for other guides.
| Part | What it asks | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Three written replies to questions | 30–40 words each |
| 2 | Formal writing: reply email | 120–150 words |
| 3 | Informative article to publish on a website | 180–220 words |
Parts 2 and 3 have a band 6 that equals C2. The General does not report C2. But not all parts measure the same:
| Part | Level aimed at | Scale | What the ceiling means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (three replies) | B1 | 0 to 5 | A 5 means "above B1" (B2 or higher) |
| 2 (formal email) | C1 | 0 to 6 | A 5 is C1 and a 6 is C2 |
| 3 (article) | C1 | 0 to 6 | A 5 is C1 and a 6 is C2 |
Part 1 cannot give you C1 even if you do it perfectly. C1 and C2 are shown in Parts 2 and 3.
Advanced Writing cut scores (out of 50):
| B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 37 | 44 | 50 |
Marking is holistic, as in the General: the answer is scored as a whole. The descriptors name the areas looked at (task fulfilment, grammar, vocabulary, cohesion and, in the email, register and punctuation), but there is no score per area.
The descriptors count how many of the three replies are on topic. All three on topic, with control of simple structures, punctuation and spelling almost always correct and simple connectors, is band 4 (B1.2). Two is band 3. One is band 1. A 5 is for people who go beyond B1.
AptisBot view, not official: - The 30–40 words are per reply, not in total. - Friendly but correct tone, as in a forum. No "Dear Sarah". - For each reply: a short reaction, your answer to the specific question with one detail and, if possible, a closing.
You receive an email from an authority and reply using the notes you are given, in formal register.
| Band | Level | What the descriptor says |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | C2 | On topic, appropriate register. Range of complex structures with accuracy and no grammar errors. No awkward or inappropriate vocabulary. No more than two punctuation or spelling slips. Range of connectors |
| 5 | C1 | Same as 6, but minor grammar errors and some awkward or inappropriate word use appear. This does not lower the level |
| 4 | B2.2 | On topic, appropriate register. Some correct complex structures, sufficient vocabulary, limited connectors |
| 3 | B2.1 | Partly on topic and/or register only partly appropriate |
| 2 | B1.2 | Partly on topic; errors with complex structures; only simple connectors |
| 1 | B1.1 | Off topic and/or no appropriate register |
What separates 6 from 5 is cleanliness: zero grammar errors and at most two slips. What separates 4 from 5 is range. Two mistakes lower the band: not reacting to the notes (it leaves you "partly on topic") and leaving the formal register.
AptisBot view, not official: - Opening: I am writing with regard to... / I am writing to express my concern about... - Reacting to a note: While I appreciate that..., I must point out that... / I would strongly recommend that... - Closing: I look forward to your response. - Structure: purpose in the first sentence, one paragraph per point, no contractions.
The General has no article. The descriptors:
| Band | Level | What the descriptor says |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | C2 | Informative and interesting article, with clever use of the given material and mostly own text. Range of complex structures with accuracy (some minor errors). Precise vocabulary |
| 5 | C1 | Not interesting, but uses the material correctly and with own text. Range of complex structures with minor errors. Range of connectors |
| 4 | B2.2 | Correct use of the material with own text; some correct complex structures; sufficient vocabulary; limited connectors |
| 3 | B2.1 | Neither interesting nor informative: key parts of the material are missing |
| 2 | B1.2 | Key parts missing and grammar is simple |
| 1 | B1.1 | Material not used correctly or text mostly copied |
AptisBot view, not official, a mould: - Title with a hook, not literal: The hidden cost of... - Two body paragraphs, each with one idea and one example: There is a compelling case to be made that... A case in point is... - Closing: Ultimately, the choice is ours to make.
From B2 to C1, the range of structures and connectors changes. From C1 to C2, in the email it is cleanliness; in the article it is being interesting. A complex structure used badly does not lower you from C1 by itself, because the C1 descriptor allows minor errors. And one isolated inversion does not lift a text from B2 to C1: range is needed. In our view, range shows in structures (inversion, cleft, mixed conditional), synonyms, nuance (for example, "arguably") and connectors (nevertheless, consequently, whereas).
| General | Advanced | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 50 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Parts | Four | Three |
| First part | Answers of 1 to 5 words | Three replies of 30–40 words |
| Last task | Informal (40–50) and formal (120–150) emails | Formal email (120–150) and article (180–220) |
| Highest level reported | C1 | C2 |
Aptis® is a trademark of the British Council. AptisBot is an independent project, and its scores are an estimate, not an official result.
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Test format overview 2023 (Advanced), Advanced Technical Supplement (Appendix G, pp. 39-41) and "Aptis Scoring System" v2.1 (TR/2024/002). The descriptors are summarised from the Advanced scale; the phrases and advice are AptisBot's view, not official.
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