Aptis General Speaking: what each part asks and scores

The Aptis General Speaking lasts 12 minutes. It has four parts, and each part aims at a different level. Only Part 4 can award a C1. This changes how you prepare. It is not useful to perfect Part 1 if you want to go up a level. For the rest of the site, go to the home page.

The four parts

Each part shows its own time on the screen. This is what each part asks:

What "aims at" means

Each task is designed for one level, and its scoring scale has a matching ceiling:

• Part 1: scale from 0 to 5, with a ceiling at "B1 or higher".
• Parts 2 and 3: scale from 0 to 5, with a ceiling at "B2 or higher". C1 does not exist as a band in these parts.
• Part 4: scale from 0 to 6. It is the only part where C1 and C2 are awarded (General reports the highest level as "C").

In other words: in General, the Speaking C1 can only come from Part 4.

Parts 2 and 3 score by counting questions

In Parts 2 and 3, the official descriptors talk about how many of the three questions you answer. Band 4 asks for answers "to all three questions" related to the topic. Band 3 asks for two. Band 1 asks for one. Answering all three, even with simple sentences, is worth more than giving one brilliant answer to only one.

Part 4: the part that decides the high level

You have one minute to prepare. Then you must answer the three questions in one go, about an abstract topic. It is the B2 part and the only one with a scale up to 6.

How to work on it: use the minute to write one idea and one example for each question, and divide your time so that you answer all three.

What score you need

Speaking cut scores in Aptis General (out of 50):

B2 starts at 41. This is the highest cut score of the four skills.

How it differs from Advanced

The Advanced Speaking lasts 10 minutes. It also has four parts, but they are different: comparing two photos with three questions, an abstract topic with three questions and one minute to prepare, and a presentation followed by one extra question on the same topic, with no preparation time. In the Advanced presentation, reading the poster aloud scores in band 1.

How to prepare

• Always answer all the questions, even if you must be brief in one of them.
• Work on Part 4 more than on any other part. It is the part that separates B2 from C1.
• Record yourself and listen. Check if you answer the question you are asked and if your speech holds together.
• Time each part with the simulator timer. Each part has its own indicated time.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Aptis General Speaking? 12 minutes in total, with four parts.

Can you get C1 in Speaking in General? Yes, but only through Part 4. In the other parts the scale does not reach C1.

What happens if I do not answer one of the three questions? In Parts 2 and 3, the descriptors count how many you answer. Answering only two lowers the band.

What score do you need for B2 in Speaking? 41 out of 50 in Aptis General.

Is the Advanced Speaking the same? No. It lasts 10 minutes and has a presentation followed by an extra question, which has no preparation time.

Try it now

Do the Speaking in the simulator, with the time shown in each part: take a practice test in your browser.

Aptis® is a trademark of the British Council. AptisBot is an independent project. Our estimate is not the official result.

Sources

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 →

Rating scales report TR/2017/001 (Table 1 and Appendix 1); Aptis General technical manual, Appendix H; Test format overview 2023 (General and Advanced); "Aptis Scoring System" v2.1 (TR/2024/002). The preparation tips are AptisBot's own judgement.