The Academic Speaking Tests assess a candidate’s spoken English skills in a structured, face-to-face interview with a certified examiner. The test lasts between 11 and 14 minutes and is divided into three parts:
- Part 1: Introduction and Interview – The examiner asks general questions about familiar topics such as home, studies, work, and interests.
- Part 2: Long Turn – The candidate receives a task card with a topic and has one minute to prepare. They then speak for up to two minutes on the topic.
- Part 3: Discussion – The examiner and candidate engage in a deeper discussion based on the theme introduced in Part 2, allowing the candidate to express and justify opinions and analyze issues.
The test evaluates fluency and coherence, lexical resource (vocabulary), grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.
Strong speaking skills are essential for academic success, professional communication, and integration into English-speaking environments. For newcomers to Canada, high scores in speaking are often required for study permits, permanent residence applications (e.g., Express Entry), and professional registration. Many Canadian pre-arrival and settlement programs offer speaking practice and test preparation support to help immigrants meet these requirements and build confidence in real-life conversations.