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Checked against LanguageCert sources on 29 July 2026

LanguageCert International ESOL guide

LanguageCert International ESOL (IESOL) is a suite of single-level CEFR exams from A1 to C2. You book Written (Listening, Reading, Writing) and Spoken (Speaking) together or independently. Current product pages offer Online delivery from A2 to C2; A1 is centre-based. International ESOL is not a UKVI SELT.

ModularWritten (L+R+W) and Spoken (S), booked together or separately
B2 ~2h 40Communicator Written total; Spoken about 13 minutes
Pass 50%Written Pass from 75/150; Spoken Pass from 25/50
3-10 BDResults: Online 3 BD, computer centre 5, paper/face-to-face 10

Test format (B2 Communicator focus)

Written runs Listening first, then Reading and Writing as one uninterrupted block. Spoken is a separate one-to-one session with an interlocutor. Samples below follow B2 task shapes; the format cards flag the important C1 differences.

Listening format (Written module)

Part of Written /150; no separate Use of English

TimeAbout 30 min (B1 to C2)
Items4 parts, audio twice
PaceAudio-paced

Hear unfinished two-speaker conversations (one formal) and choose the correct completion or continuation.

Audio

Unfinished dialogue (practice extract)

B2: Listen twice to 7 unfinished conversations (one formal). Choose the correct answer to complete each conversation (3 options).

Choose the correct answer to complete the conversation.

Answer two three-option MCQs per conversation on topic, purpose, context, roles, gist, attitude, feeling, or opinion.

B2: 3 conversations × 2 three-option MCQs (topic, purpose, roles, attitude, feeling). Scaled: 1 conversation, 2 questions.

Audio

Conversation extract (1 of 3)

Q1The speakers are mainly discussing

Q2How does the student feel about Digital Ethics?

Complete a titled message pad with seven headings from a monologue (radio, narrative, presentation). Write 1 to 5 words — not MCQ.

Part 3: Message pad (monologue)

You will hear someone talking. You will hear the person twice. Complete the information. Write short answers of one to five words. Monologue (practice text): “Welcome to Campus Living Weekly. First-year housing needs a deposit of two hundred and fifty pounds, paid within fourteen days of the offer letter, by card only. If you withdraw more than thirty days before move-in, you get a full refund; later withdrawals keep a fifty-pound admin fee. Quiet hours start at eleven at night. Halls open for check-in from the first of September.” Campus Living — first-year housing 1. Deposit amount: ………………………………………… 2. Pay within: ………………………………………… 3. Payment method: ………………………………………… 4. Withdraw >30 days before move-in: ………………………………………… 5. Later withdrawal keeps: ………………………………………… 6. Quiet hours start: ………………………………………… 7. Check-in opens from: ………………………………………… Sample: 1 £250 / 250 pounds · 2 14 days · 3 card (only) · 4 full refund · 5 £50 admin fee · 6 11 p.m. · 7 1 September

Official B2: titled message pad + 7 headings + write lines. Not multiple choice. Illustrative only.

Answer MCQs on a two-speaker discussion: gist, examples, fact vs opinion, contrast, purpose, attitude, or cause and effect.

B2: 6 three-option MCQs on one two-speaker discussion (gist, fact, opinion, contrast, cause/effect). Scaled: 2 questions.

Audio

Discussion extract (two speakers)

Q1Which solution do both speakers accept?

Q2Jim opposes an absolute ban because

Best practices

  • All Listening parts are played twice. Use the second play to confirm, not to start over.
  • Part 3 is a message pad with blank lines — short written notes, never multiple choice.
  • C1 difference: Part 1 has 6 questions and Part 4 has 7; Parts 2 and 3 still have 6 and 7 respectively.
  • Weak Listening can still be offset by strong Reading or Writing on the Written Pass (overall 50%).
Checklist0%

Before you book LanguageCert ESOL

Read the product name on your offer letter carefully. On Linguistic Academy, "LanguageCert ESOL" means International ESOL, not Academic, General, LTE, or a UK visa SELT.

1. UK visa warning

Need a UK visa? This is probably the wrong product

International ESOL is not a UKVI SELT by default. For UK visas use Academic SELT (study), General SELT (work), or ESOL SELT Speaking & Listening A1 to B1 (family/settlement). Book those through selt.languagecert.org at a UKVI-approved centre. The old 4-skills ESOL SELT ended on 31 March 2024.

2. Acceptance

Verify IESOL, level, and delivery mode for your purpose

Ask the receiving institution or employer whether they accept International ESOL at your CEFR level, and whether Online ExamShield is allowed for your purpose. Some destinations require an in-person LanguageCert centre. Online IESOL is not a UKVI SELT sitting.

3. Level choice

Book the CEFR level your receiver requires

IESOL is not adaptive: each exam targets one level. Use the receiving organisation's requirement, official sample papers, and CEFR can-dos before you pay. A B2 sitting cannot produce a C1 award.

4. Fees and Take2

Check the price when you book

Fees depend on your country and currency. Centre fees can differ from the website. Check languagecert.org checkout or your Approved Test Centre for your location. Optional Take2 (A2 to C2) can cover one failed module if you buy it under Take2 rules.

Do not book International ESOL Online if your visa route needs a SELT Unique Reference Number (URN). SELT sittings are secure-centre only.

Online ExamShield setup (A2 to C2)

Online IESOL uses ExamShield, remote live proctoring, and the ExamShield Mobile smartphone app. Current A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 product pages offer Written and Spoken Online; A1 is delivered through test centres.

Technical requirements

ComputerLaptop only. Desktops are not allowed for current ExamShield Online sittings.
Operating systemWindows 10/11 (not 10S/11S) or macOS High Sierra or later.
HardwareDual-core 2.4 GHz or faster, 4 GB RAM or more, an integrated laptop webcam, and a compatible smartphone camera.
HeadsetWired headset is mandatory. Bluetooth and wireless headsets are not allowed.
Second cameraSmartphone via ExamShield Mobile (Android 10+ / iOS 17+). Phone battery at least 70%. Do Not Disturb on.
InternetAt least 4 Mbps broadband. Run the compatibility check at least 24 hours before.
ID (Online)Original, valid government photo ID with date of birth; booking names must match exactly. Candidates testing in Bangladesh, India, or Pakistan need a valid passport. Academic Online also requires a passport.
RoomPrivate room, alone, one closable door visible, clean desk. Pets and drinks are allowed. No bathroom breaks.

Official launch flow

1
Buy the correct product

Book International ESOL on languagecert.org or through an Approved Test Centre. An exam purchase gives you 12 months to sit; the account offers an expiry-extension option for direct bookings.

2
Install ExamShield and the mobile app

Complete the official compatibility check on the same laptop and network you will use on test day.

3
Prepare dual cameras

Charge the phone, turn on Do Not Disturb, allow camera and microphone access, and make sure the laptop camera can show you and the room door.

4
Reschedule rules

Rescheduling is free at least 48 hours before the sitting. Changes between 48 and 4 hours incur an administrative fee; changes within 4 hours incur a higher fee. Amounts depend on country, currency, and tax.

5
Start only when ready

Written: the invigilator sees you and your desktop. Spoken: you see the interlocutor. Finish without leaving the room.

Room and conduct rules

NotesFor International ESOL Online, one blank sheet is allowed only in the Spoken exam. Show both sides when asked and shred it in front of the invigilator afterward. No notes in Written.
Forbidden kitNo dictionaries, second monitors, wireless headsets, smartwatches, or unapproved extra devices in the test area. Corporate networks or VPN access can interfere with ExamShield.
Interlocutor roleThe interlocutor runs the Spoken test. They do not mark you. Markers assess the recording later.
Test Centre alternativePaper or computer Written and centre Spoken remain available when Online is refused, unavailable, or not accepted for your purpose.
A failed ExamShield check, a desktop PC, low phone battery, or the wrong SELT product can waste the sitting or break a visa plan. Fix setup before you start.

Scoring: Pass, High Pass, Fail

International ESOL grades Written out of 150 and Spoken out of 50. A Written Pass needs at least 75 overall (50%); the published IESOL threshold is for the combined Written module, not each skill separately. Spoken Pass is 25 to 37; High Pass is 38 to 50; Fail is 0 to 24. Certificates do not expire, but institutions may still demand a recent score.

Move the slider to map a Written total to Fail, Pass, or High Pass. Spoken is scored separately out of 50 (Pass from 25).

Pass75-100Overall at least 50% on Written; no per-skill Pass floor
Written scoreGradeMeaning
101-150High PassStrong overall Written result on the /150 scale
75-100PassOverall at least 50% on Written; no per-skill Pass floor
0-74FailBelow the Written Pass threshold of 75/150

Results, certificates, and retakes

Statement of Results and e-certificates arrive on different timelines by delivery mode. If you sit Written and Spoken apart, plan applications around the slower release.

Online (remote live)SoR and e-certificate typically in 3 business days.
Computer-based centreTypically 5 business days for Written results.
Paper Written / face-to-face SpeakingTypically 10 business days.
Hard copy and badgesDigital badges are available in 10 business days. Hard-copy certificates are sent to the candidate or Test Centre shortly after results are released; no fixed one-week promise is published.
Certificate validityLanguageCert says International ESOL certificates do not expire.Always check your institution's freshness rule.
Retakes and Take2You may re-sit a failed Written or Spoken module. Take2 (A2 to C2) must be bought or allocated no later than 15 minutes before the original exam; if activated after failure, its exam-specific Online resit must be taken within 6 months of the original date.Repeat Policy ver8.0 (10 Jul 2026), for Online candidates over 18: after 3 attempts at the same exam, wait 90 days; a Pass bars a lower CEFR level; a High Pass bars the same exam.
SELT reportingUK visa SELT products issue a Test Report with a Unique Reference Number (URN) for the visa application. That reporting and UKVI acceptance model is separate from non-SELT International ESOL certificates.

Final checklist

Complete this on the laptop, phone, and network you will use for Online IESOL, or with your centre confirmation if you test in person.

Product and acceptance

ExamShield rehearsal

Exam day

Start only when product, room, and ExamShield checks are clean. Booking the wrong SELT product is harder to fix than delaying the booking.

Frequently asked questions

Is LanguageCert ESOL the same as a UKVI SELT?

No. International ESOL is a non-SELT modular exam. UK visas need Academic SELT, General SELT, or ESOL SELT Speaking & Listening booked through selt.languagecert.org at approved centres.

What does Linguistic Academy mean by LanguageCert ESOL?

International ESOL (IESOL): single-level A1 to C2 with Written and Spoken modules. Not LTE, Young Learners, or LanguageCert Academic unless your offer letter names those products.

Can I take LanguageCert International ESOL online?

Current product pages offer A2 to C2 Written and Spoken Online with ExamShield and remote live proctoring. A1 is centre-based. Confirm that your receiving organisation accepts the Online delivery mode.

Do universities accept Online IESOL?

Ask your school or employer if they accept Online ExamShield IESOL for your offer. Online IESOL does not replace a UKVI SELT.

What is the pass mark?

Written Pass is 75 to 100 out of 150 (at least 50% overall). High Pass is 101 to 150. Spoken Pass is 25 to 37 out of 50; High Pass is 38 to 50. Written has no per-skill minimum for a Pass.

How long is the B2 exam?

B2 Communicator Written is about 2 hours 40 minutes (Listening about 30 minutes, then Reading and Writing 2 hours 10). Spoken is about 13 minutes with an interlocutor.

Do certificates expire?

LanguageCert says International ESOL certificates do not expire. Universities and employers may still require a score within a set time. Check their policy.

Written and Spoken at different levels?

Yes. LanguageCert permits the modules at the same or different CEFR levels and issues independent Written and Spoken certificates. Current level product pages describe the unified four-skills certificate when both modules are completed at that level; check what your receiver requires before mixing levels.

What is Take2?

An optional resit add-on for A2 to C2 that can activate if one of Written or Spoken fails, when purchased under Take2 timing rules, with Online resit within six months. Confirm current terms on languagecert.org.

How much does it cost?

Fees depend on your country, currency, and centre. Check the price at checkout or with your Approved Test Centre.

Why was my UK 4-skills ESOL SELT option removed?

LanguageCert's 4-skills ESOL SELT was withdrawn from 31 March 2024. Use Academic SELT, General SELT, or ESOL SELT S&L for the matching UK visa route.

How fast are Online results?

Online remote-live results are typically released in three business days. Computer-based centre Written is about five; paper Written and face-to-face Speaking about ten.

Official sources

Current LanguageCert product pages, qualification documents, policies, and ExamShield guidance checked for this guide.

Related guides

Compare delivery modes and visa rules before you pay.

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