Paper 3 overview — Speaking
 
 

Paper 3 consists of two parts: Part A (Group discussion) and Part B (Individual response). The total time given for this paper is 12 minutes.
         
         
          Part A — Group discussion
          What you have to do

        In Part A, you will be given prompts on which you must have a discussion with three other candidates for 6 minutes.

        You may be asked to make suggestions, give advice, solve a problem, make and explain a choice, argue for or against something, or discuss the pros and cons of a proposal.

        The given prompts may be in prose form or in other forms such as tables and pictures.
          Marking scheme
        In Part A, you will be marked on conversational strategies including:
        • the ability to express and respond to ideas, opinions and feelings
        • the ability to agree, disagree and offer alternatives
        • the ability to support and develop others' views
        • the ability to elicit ideas from others, seek and give clarification, sum up points and redirect the discussion if necessary
        You will also be marked on the following:
        • quality, quantity and organisation of your response
        • clarity and accuracy of your pronunciation and delivery
        • appropriacy and accuracy of your vocabulary and language patterns
        On the whole, you will be marked on effective communication, not task completion.
          Part B — Individual response
          What you have to do

        In Part B, you will have one minute on your own with an examiner, who will ask you at least one question based on the Group discussion.

        You may be asked to justify a choice, decide on and explain a course of action, or argue for or against something.

        Normally, the examiner will ask you one question. However, he or she may also ask follow-up questions depending on your response.

        In Part B, you should make sure that you:
        • greet the examiner.
        • smile and maintain eye contact with the examiner.
        • say 'thank you' and 'goodbye' when you finish.
        Marking scheme

        In Part B, you will be marked on the following:
        • quality, quantity and organisation of your response
        • clarity and accuracy of your pronunciation and delivery
        • appropriacy and accuracy of your vocabulary and language patterns
        • ability to maintain interaction with the examiner

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