Guide to prepare for the Linguaskill Business English Exam

In order to work in a multinational company , it is highly recommended to have an English certificate that certifies your knowledge of that language. In fact, many companies require that their employees have it or they would not be able to access the position offered. Currently there is a very effective and good tool from the University of Cambridge, which helps companies a lot to assess the level of English of their employees quickly, it is the Linguaskill Business exam. With this test, candidates demonstrate that they are prepared to function in a work environment and that they can maintain international relationships with other companies. That is why today we want to explain everything related to the Linguaskill Business English exam, so that you can prepare it and enroll quickly and safely.

What is the Linguaskill Business English exam?

If you are an entrepreneur and your employees need a good level of English to work with clients from all over the world, it is important that you are able to measure their communication skills and give them support. For this, you have the Linguaskill Business test , depending on whether the job requires the English used in a business or corporate environment. Results are fast and accurate and conform to international standards.

Linguaskill has undergone research and success stories with speakers of 40 different languages ​​and in more than 50 countries, to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results.

The results are available within 48 hours and are instantaneous in the module Reading and Listening combined . Individual and group reports are provided, allowing easy comparisons. The results conform to international standards so you can make fully informed decisions.

The online test can be easily administered and monitored on your own premises and at a time that suits you best. All you need is a computer, an Internet connection, and a headset. You can test the English level of individual candidates or groups of candidates.

Exam format

Linguaskill is an online test that assesses the four language skills: reading, listening writing and speaking . This gives you the ability to choose which skills you want to test.

Linguaskill Business assesses the English used in a business and corporate environment . It is the most suitable choice for selection processes in organizations whose employees are expected to be familiar with the language of business.

It is suitable for small and large organizations that may operate on an international level. Test topics include buying and selling of products and services, the office, business travel, and human resources.

- The Reading and Listening module :

It is adaptive, so there is no fixed number of questions. Each question that the candidate answers helps the system to better understand what the candidate's level is. The test ends when the candidate has answered enough questions for Linguaskill to accurately identify their level.

Duration:

60–85 minutes

Number of questions:

Variable

Question types - Reading module tasks :

Read and select
Candidates read a notice, diagram, sign, memo, or letter containing a short text and choose the sentence or phrase that most closely matches the meaning of the text. There are three possible answers.

Phrases with blank spaces
Candidates read a sentence with a missing word (blank space) and choose the appropriate word to fill in that blank. There are four options for each blank.

Multiple Choice
Blanks Candidates choose the appropriate word or phrase to fill in the blanks in a text. There are four options for each blank.

Open response blanks
Candidates read a short text with a few words missing and write the missing word in each blank.

Extended reading
Candidates read a longer text and answer several multiple-choice questions. The questions follow the same order as the information in the text.

Types of questions - Tasks of the Listening module :

Listen and select
Candidates listen to a short audio recording and answer multiple-choice questions with three possible choices.

Extended
listening candidates listen to a longer recording and answer several multiple-choice questions based on it. The questions follow the same order as the information they hear on the recording.

In this link you have the guide to the tests adapted to the digital environment.

If you want to do a simulation of this test, you can do it from here. 

- The Writing module

Ask the candidates to enter their answers using the computer keyboard. Answers are automatically scored by the system. Results will be available within 12 hours.

Duration:

45 minutes (2 parts)

 

Part 1 (Email)

The candidate will be asked to write a minimum of 50 words.

Score in Part 1:

Half of the final grade in the written expression test.

 

Part 2 (Long text)

The candidate will be asked to write a minimum of 180 words.

Scoring in Part 2:

Half of the final grade in the written expression test.

 

Kind of questions:

Part One
Candidates read a short text, usually an email. They have to use the information in the text and the three points listed to write an email of at least 50 words. Candidates should spend about 15 minutes on this task.

Part two
Candidates read a short text describing a scene and respond using the information provided and the three points listed. Linguaskill General candidates will write at least 180 words to a wider audience and may be asked to produce a variety of text types (eg review, article, web post…). Linguaskill Business candidates will write a letter or report of at least 180 words, often to a manager or colleague within the company or to external clients.

We leave you the option of taking a test for this part of the exam: 

- In the Speaking module

It is done through a computer and headphones with a microphone. Questions are presented to the candidate through the screen and headphones. Your answers are recorded and subsequently evaluated by the examiners. Results will be available within 48 hours.

The Speaking module consists of five Parts.

Duration: 15 minutes (5 Parts)

Part 1 (interview)

The candidate answers eight personal questions (the first two do not score).

Questions:

8

Score in Part 1:

20% of the score.

 

Part 2 (read aloud)

The candidate reads eight sentences aloud.

Questions:

8

Scoring in Part 2:

20% of the score.

 

Part 3 (long shift 1)

The candidate is given a topic to talk about for about a minute. You are given 40 seconds to prepare.

Questions:

1

Scoring in Part 3:

20% of the score.

 

Part 4 (long shift 2)

The candidate is shown one or more charts (for example, a chart, a diagram, or a fact sheet) that they should talk about for a minute. You are given one minute to prepare.

Questions:

1

Scoring in Part 4:

20% of the score.

 

Part 5
(communicative activity)

The candidate expresses his opinion, in the form of short answers, on five questions related to a topic. You are given one minute to prepare.

Questions:

5

Scoring in Part 5:

20% of the score.

To do a drill of this part, you can do it from the following link.

The University of Cambridge offers you this video with which you can learn much more about the test and the requirements to be able to take it.

Tips and materials to prepare for the Linguaskill Business English exam on your own

The University of Cambridge makes available to the candidates material, books, guides, test exams ..., to prepare this test fully. You can access directly: 

Do not forget to use a good dictionary, as it is a fundamental tool to solve doubts and advance in the study of English. If you are not sure which ones can help you, here is a list that will surely help and inspire you to decide.

 

Also, keep the following tips in mind:

  • It is highly advisable that even if you prepare the exam on your own, you have contact with natives , since they are the ones who will help you prepare all the tests fluently, especially the oral and written creation tests. Either in person or remotely. This company will do you a lot of good and help you a lot to pass the tests successfully.
  • You need to set your goal of working to pass the exam and to get your certificate. For this, it is essential that you organize and work under a schedule that allows you to make the most of your study time and that allows you to prepare for each of the tests you have to pass.
  • Don't forget that you are going to take a very specific English exam , related to a specific sector. Read a lot about this sector, either through blogs, websites, etc. It will help you a lot to position yourself and to be much more prepared.
  • We advise you to contact other people who are also preparing the exam or who have already done it. If it can be, with both types, since this contact will be very helpful and you will also feel more accompanied.

Results and enrollment

Linguaskill results are provided instantly for reading comprehension and listening skills, and within 48 hours for all other skills. A computer generated Test Report will be sent, so there is no waiting for printed certificates or other documents.

Attention to the new feature: companies that run Linguaskill now have the option of allowing their candidates to view their results on the internet. Therefore, it is not necessary for candidates to wait for the Test Report. Companies can decide whether to enable this option for their candidates.

Linguaskill assesses English knowledge from level below A1 to C1 or higher within the CEFR:

Punctuation

CEFR level

180+

C1 or higher

160–179

B2

140–159

B1

120–139

A2

100–119

A1

82–99

Below A1

 

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