Peic Test Tips Guide

International
Certificate
Test tips guide for
test-takers & teachers
May 2021 | v1.1

Computer-based test tips guide
Item type Skill
Read Aloud Speaking & Reading
This resource has been designed for Describe Image Speaking

test-takers and teachers to view
Listen and Repeat Listening & Speaking
examples of International Certificate
item types and gain some useful tips Listen to the Conversation Listening & Speaking
to aid preparation.
Listening /
Passage Comprehension
Listening & Speaking
The information can be used to help
develop useful strategies for test day. Listen and Read Listening & Reading
Tips are included for every item type Listen and then Write Listening & Writing
and are presented in the order in

Passage Comprehension: Choose the Right Picture (A1/A2) Reading
which they appear in the test as
follows: Short Answer Questions (B1+) Reading
Choose the Right Word or Phrase (Gap fill) Reading
Read and then Write Reading & Writing
Short Writing Task Writing

Speaking and Reading Read Aloud
All
Levels
What is being asked? What is being tested?

This question asks the learner to read aloud a sentence This question tests accurate pronunciation and how fluent the learner is at
or short text. speaking. It tests if the words in the text are understood and repeated accurately.
International Certificate
Speaking and Reading Read Aloud
All
Levels

This question asks the learner to read aloud a sentence This question tests accurate pronunciation and how fluent the learner is at
or short text. speaking. It tests if the words in the text are understood and repeated accurately.
Read aloud tips
• Use the 40 seconds to skim and understand the topic.
• Break the text into chunks and pause slightly

between each one as you read.
• When reading, stress the words that carry important

information, this makes it easier to understand what
you are saying.
• Use rising intonation patterns to show a contrast, and

falling to show you have finished a point.
Speaking Describe the image
What is being asked?

This question asks the learner to look at
a photograph or picture and describe
what they see.
What is being tested?

This question tests the learner’s ability
to speak in an extended way linking
concepts and ideas. It tests the
accuracy of speech including accurate
grammar, pronunciation and stress as
well as the fluency of the speech.
All
Levels
Describe the image tips
• You have 25 seconds before the microphone opens

to look carefully at the image.
• Think of any implications or conclusions that can be

drawn.
• Make notes of the main points and decide the order

in which you will describe the information.
• After the tone, start with a general statement of what

the image is about, then describe the details.
Speaking and listening Listen and repeat
All
Levels

This question asks the learner to listen to a This question tests listening comprehension at the word and sentence
sentence or short text and then repeat it. level. It tests pronunciation and fluency. It tests if the words heard are
understood and repeated accurately.
Speaking and listening Listen and repeat
All
Levels

This question asks the learner to listen to a This question tests listening comprehension at the word and sentence
sentence or short text and then repeat it. level. It tests pronunciation and fluency. It tests if the words heard are
understood and repeated accurately.
Listen and repeat tips
• Listen to the way the speaker groups words into

meaningful phrases.
• Listen for the speaker’s intonation and aim to copy it.
• Note how the speaker uses word stress to highlight

important information and try to do the same.
• Don’t try to copy the accent, just speak naturally,

being mindful of pace and volume.
Listening and speaking Listen to the conversation

This question asks the learner to listen
to a short conversation and then
answer a question about the
conversation.

This question tests listening
comprehension. It tests the accuracy of
the listening comprehension of the
All learner.
Levels
Listening and speaking Listen to the conversation

All This question asks the learner to listen
to a short conversation and then
Levels answer a question about the
conversation.

This question tests listening
comprehension. It tests the accuracy of
the listening comprehension of the
learner.
Listen to the conversation tips
• Listen for the general flow of ideas and don’t worry if

you miss individual words.
• Take short notes of key words as you listen.
• Listen for the question word: e.g. who, what, how to

focus your response.
• Speak clearly and remember a short, simple answer

is satisfactory.
Passage comprehension Choose the right picture
Levels
A1 & A2

This question asks the learner to listen to a short This question tests listening comprehension. It tests
passage and answer three comprehension questions by understanding of a short passage.
choosing the correct image
Levels
A1 & A2

Levels
A1 & A2

Levels
A1 & A2

Passage Comprehension:
Choose the Right Picture tips

• Listen for the question word: e.g. who, what, how
• Keep your eyes hovering over the pictures when

listening to the question, noticing any key differences.
Passage comprehension
Levels
B1 &
above

passage and answer three comprehension questions understanding of a short passage.
with a short, spoken response.
Levels
B1 &
above

Levels
B1 &
above

Levels
B1 &
above

Passage Comprehension tips

• Listen for the question word: e.g. who, what, how
• Speak clearly and remember a short, simple response

is satisfactory for all 3 questions.
Listening and reading
Listen and read (Hotspots)

This question asks the learner to
read a text and at the same time
listen to the text. The learner has to
find the differences between the
written text and the spoken text.

This question tests reading and
listening comprehension. It tests the
ability to recognise individual words
in a text.
All
Levels
Listening and reading
Listen and read (Hotspots)

read a text and at the same time
listen to the text. The learner has to
find the differences between the
written text and the spoken text.

This question tests reading and
listening comprehension. It tests the
ability to recognise individual words
in a text.
All
Levels
Listen and read tips
• Use the 10 seconds before the recording begins to skim

the transcript and familiarise yourself with the topic.
• Move your cursor to the start of the transcript to get

ready, then follow each word to the pace of the speaker’s
voice, being careful to keep up.
• Think how each word you are reading will sound and as
soon as you hear a different word, click on the incorrect
word.
Listening and writing Dictation
All
Levels

This question asks the learner to listen to a sentence This question tests listening comprehension at the word and sentence
or short text and write what they have heard. level. It tests the ability to write accurately and understand sentence
structure, word order and connectors.
Listening and writing Dictation
All
Levels

This question asks the learner to listen to a sentence This question tests listening comprehension at the word and sentence
or short text and write what they have heard. level. It tests the ability to write accurately and understand sentence
structure, word order and connectors.
Listening and writing tips
• When the audio begins, focus on the meaning of the

sentence. This will help you to remember it.
• Write or type the content words, leave minor words

(prepositions, articles) for now.
• Write or type as quickly as you can, don’t worry about

spelling at this point.
• After the recording stops, go over the sentence and check

your knowledge of grammar to add any words you
missed out.
Reading Choose the right picture

This question asks learners to read
a short text and select the best
picture to match with the text.

This question tests the holistic
understanding of short messages,
notes and short pieces of writing.
Level
A1 & A2
Choose the right picture tips
• Read the question first, this will tell you what information
you are looking for in the pictures.
• Pay attention to key words in the text and the question

asked.
• Remember key vocabulary items should be visible in the

correct picture. This will help you to eliminate those that
do not contain the specified items or that contain items
that have not been mentioned.
Reading Short answer questions
read a longer text and answer
questions on the text.

This question tests the reading
comprehension of the learner. It
tests specific information included
in the text.
Levels
B1 &
above
Short answer questions tips
• Skim the text quickly to understand the topic first.
• Focus on key words in the questions and use these to

scan the text for details.
• Write only the word/s that answer the question and use
content from the text where appropriate, this will ensure
your responses are brief and accurate.
Reading Choose the right word or phrase (Gapfill)

This question asks learners to read a
short text and select the best word or
phrase to complete the text.

This question tests the learner's
holistic understanding of short
messages, notes and short pieces of
All writing.
Levels
Reading Choose the right word or phrase (Gapfill)

This question asks learners to read a
short text and select the best word or
phrase to complete the text.

This question tests the learner's
holistic understanding of short
messages, notes and short pieces of
All writing.
Levels
Choose the right word or phrase tips
• First read the gapped text first and decide it’s purpose.
This can help to eliminate wrong options in terms of tone,
grammar and meaning.
• Note key words in the text, this will help to understand

the main message.
• Look at the words either side of the gap and use

knowledge of grammar and vocabulary to predict the
type of word or phrase that is missing.
Reading and writing Read and then write

This question asks the learners to read a short
story or short piece of factual text. The text
then disappears and the learner has to
reconstruct the text.

This question tests reading comprehension. It
tests the ability to write accurately and
understand sentence structure, word order
and connectors.
All
Levels
Reading and writing Read and then write

This question asks the learners to read a short
story or short piece of factual text. The text
then disappears and the learner has to
reconstruct the text.

This question tests reading comprehension. It
tests the ability to write accurately and
understand sentence structure, word order
and connectors.
All
Levels
Read and then write tips
• In the 30 seconds before the text disappears, read the

passage calmly. First skim for general topic, then read
carefully for main ideas.
• Aim to develop your own techniques for rapid note-

taking so they become automatic.
• Remember best responses will clearly summarize the

main idea and condense essential supporting ideas.
• Check grammar before submitting your response.
Short writing task Describe image
Levels
A1 & A2 What is being asked?
Describe write a short essay in response to
image a prompt. For lower levels, test
takers need to write a short
description of an image.

This question tests writing skills.
Levels It tests paragraph and sentence
structure, the range and accuracy
B1 & above of the language used, the ability
Write essay to structure an argument or
discussion in a written context. It
tests grammar and vocabulary as
an essential part of writing.
Short writing task (Describe image) tips
• Look carefully at the image. Spend the first few minutes

planning: what is happening in the image, what tense/s
are required.
• Consider the vocabulary needed and make sure you

know enough words to write your answer.
• Start with a general statement of what the image is

about, then describe the details.
• Write at least 25 words.
Short writing task Write essay

write a short essay in response to
a prompt. For lower levels, test
takers need to write a short
description of an image.

This question tests writing skills.
It tests paragraph and sentence
structure, the range and accuracy
of the language used, the ability
to structure an argument or
discussion in a written context. It
tests grammar and vocabulary as
Levels Levels an essential part of writing.
A1 & A2 B1 & above
Describe
Write essay
image
Short writing task (Write essay) tips
• Read the prompt carefully and highlight all the content

points to be covered. Use these to build the content of
the response and organize your answer.
• Use the prompt to decide what type of text you need to

write in terms of form and tone; the essay might agree or
disagree with the prompt, persuade etc
• Use linkers and discourse markers to help your writing

flow: e.g. after that, however, on the other hand.
• Check your work at the end for spelling and punctuation

errors

Peic Test Tips Guide

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Peic Test Tips Guide

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Peic Test Tips Guide

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

International

May 2021 | v1.1

Read Aloud Speaking & Reading

This resource has been designed for Describe Image Speaking

and are presented in the order in

Choose the Right Word or Phrase (Gap fill) Reading

Read and then Write Reading & Writing

Short Writing Task Writing

What is being asked? What is being tested?

What is being asked? What is being tested?

• Use the 40 seconds to skim and understand the topic.

• Break the text into chunks and pause slightly

• When reading, stress the words that carry important

• Use rising intonation patterns to show a contrast, and

What is being asked?

What is being tested?

• You have 25 seconds before the microphone opens

• Think of any implications or conclusions that can be

• Make notes of the main points and decide the order

• After the tone, start with a general statement of what

What is being asked? What is being tested?

What is being asked? What is being tested?

• Listen to the way the speaker groups words into

• Listen for the speaker’s intonation and aim to copy it.

• Note how the speaker uses word stress to highlight

• Don’t try to copy the accent, just speak naturally,

What is being asked?

What is being tested?

What is being asked?

What is being tested?

• Listen for the general flow of ideas and don’t worry if

• Take short notes of key words as you listen.

• Listen for the question word: e.g. who, what, how to

• Speak clearly and remember a short, simple answer

What is being asked? What is being tested?

What is being asked? What is being tested?

What is being asked? What is being tested?

What is being asked? What is being tested?

• Listen for the general flow of ideas and don’t worry if

• Take short notes of key words as you listen.

• Listen for the question word: e.g. who, what, how

• Keep your eyes hovering over the pictures when

What is being asked? What is being tested?

What is being asked? What is being tested?

What is being asked? What is being tested?

What is being asked? What is being tested?

• Listen for the general flow of ideas and don’t worry if

• Take short notes of key words as you listen.

• Listen for the question word: e.g. who, what, how

• Speak clearly and remember a short, simple response

What is being asked?

What is being tested?

What is being asked?

What is being tested?

• Use the 10 seconds before the recording begins to skim

• Move your cursor to the start of the transcript to get

What is being asked? What is being tested?

What is being asked? What is being tested?

• When the audio begins, focus on the meaning of the