Speaking Part 4 is the only part of Aptis General that can reach C1. What it asks, how to use the preparation minute, and common mistakes.
You want a high level and have limited study time. Which Speaking part should you train first? In Aptis General, it is Part 4: the only part that can reach C1. For more guides, go to the home page.
You get one abstract topic with three questions. You have one minute to prepare. Then you answer the three questions one after another, with the time shown on screen. There is no pause between questions. It is one continuous speech.
Part 2 of Aptis Advanced is very similar (abstract topic, three questions, one minute to prepare). If you take Advanced, much of this applies too. The difference is the certificate, which reports C1 and C2 separately.
Each Speaking task aims at one level and has its own scale.
| Part | Aims at | Scale | Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A2 | 0-5 | a 5 = B1 or higher |
| 2 and 3 | B1 | 0-5 | a 5 = B2 or higher; there is no C1 band |
| 4 | B2 | 0-6 | 5 = above B2 (C1) and 6 = C2 |
In General, the highest level is reported as "C". The official report joins the 5 and the 6 of Part 4 into this one grade, described as a strong performance, probably above B2. The General certificate goes up to C1. Only Advanced reports C1 and C2 as separate levels and certifies C2.
There are six official areas: task completion and topic relevance, grammatical range and accuracy, vocabulary range and accuracy, pronunciation, fluency, and cohesion. Bands, summarised from the British Council descriptors:
| Band | What it describes |
|---|---|
| 6 | C2: "probably above C1". |
| 5 | All three questions answered; well-structured speech. A range of complex structures used accurately, with a minor error that does not stop understanding. A range of vocabulary and of linking words. Rephrasing does not break the thread. |
| 4 | All three on topic. Some correct complex structures; errors do not cause misunderstanding. Enough vocabulary. A limited number of linking words. |
| 3 | Two answers on topic, with the same features. |
| 2 | At least two on topic. Simple structures; errors with complex ones. Noticeable pauses. Only simple linking words. |
| 1 | One answer on topic, with the same features. |
| 0 | Below B1, no meaningful language, or completely off topic. |
From 4 to 5, "some" becomes "a range". The General report does not separate 5 and 6; for a C2 by name, you need Advanced. Pronunciation and part of fluency are judged from your audio, so record yourself and listen.
In Parts 2 and 3, the official scale counts questions: answering all three is worth more than shining in one. In Part 4 the three questions count too (band 3 is "two on topic", band 1 is "one"), but you must also sustain the speech with developed ideas, precise vocabulary and varied structures.
This is AptisBot's own advice, not official.
This is an AptisBot structure, not official: a direct answer in one sentence, one reason, one example, one nuance ("although...", "it depends on..."). The exam fixes only the total time of the task. Divide it into three similar blocks and check the screen clock when you start the second question.
This is an AptisBot example, not official. Topic: technology and work. Questions: "How has technology changed the way we work?", "What are the benefits of remote work?" and "Are there any drawbacks?". Part of a model answer:
Technology has fundamentally reshaped the modern workplace, particularly with the advent of remote work and AI-assisted tools. On the upside, it grants employees unprecedented flexibility: many of my colleagues now structure their day around productivity peaks rather than office hours. That said, the boundary between work and personal life has eroded, and that is the part I'd want to see addressed.
By band 5 descriptors: a clear position in the first sentence; linking words ("On the upside...", "That said,"); a concrete example; a complex structure for emphasis; and a final nuance that opens the topic of drawbacks. This is only the start. In the real recording you must also cover the other two questions.
This is AptisBot's advice, not official. The exam asks for a "range of complex structures" and does not say which. These are model phrases from our template bank.
A single inversion does not make C1. Range, accuracy and answering all three questions are rewarded.
This is AptisBot's advice, not official.
Can you get C1 in the other parts? No. In Parts 1, 2 and 3, the ceiling is lower.
What if two answers are very good and the third is bad? The official scale counts answers on topic: with two on topic, the ceiling is band 3. Answering all three, even simply, keeps your band up.
Is a memorised sentence with inversions rewarded? No descriptor rewards a specific sentence. A memorised sentence that does not answer the question hurts you.
Do the Speaking part of a mock exam and practise Part 4 with the time shown. These are AptisBot's own mock exams, not official exams. Any correction is an estimate.
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No sign-upPractise this in the botReal Aptis questions, with your writing and speaking corrected against the official 0-6 rubric.Don’t use Telegram? Take the full mock exam on the web →Aptis scoring scales report (Fairbairn & Dunlea, TR/2017/001), Aptis General technical manual (Speaking band descriptors) and Test format overview 2023 (General and Advanced). The answer structure, preparation advice, phrases, weekly plan and common mistakes are AptisBot's own advice. The example answer is from AptisBot and is not official.