GETS Upper Intermediate is part of the GETS for School suite of exams all of which are designed to measure students’ level of English that is required to be able to do well in all subjects of study in an English medium school. Learners, particularly non-native English users in English medium schools, are challenged by the language used in the teaching and learning of curricular subjects and may even find it abstract or even incomprehensible. Research shows that low English language proficiency is reflected in lower performance in all subjects of academic study in English medium schools.
GETS Upper Intermediate helps learners shift their focus from a purely CLIL based approach to language learning towards acquiring greater general English proficiency for meeting the increasing needs of their academic and social interactions in both formal and informal contexts. This progression leads them to being ready for GETS Higher or any other international English proficiency test for entering university life.
GETS Upper Intermediate has been developed by a team of experts in the field of English language testing. Their expertise combined with the latest technology has made GETS Upper Intermediate the most up-to-date and flexible English language test for progressing to university
GETS Upper Intermediate is available in two delivery modes – paper-based and computer-based.
OVERVIEW | DESCRIPTION |
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Listening 4 Parts/30 questions Approximately 40 mins. Part 1: 1.5 to 2 mins. Part 2: 3 to 3.5 mins. Part 3: 3.5 to 4 mins. Part 4: 3.5 to 4 mins. Each track is played twice. |
Task types: 3 option multiple choice, True/False, gap-fill, table/notes completion. Skills tested: Following dictation of spellings of names, places, numbers, currency, timings; listening for specific information and details; listening for detailed meaning; listening to identify attitude and opinion of the speakers; listening for detail; listening for gist and overall meaning. Text sources: Designed using authentic and/or adapted real-world listening tracks such as announcements, dialogues, discussions, guided tour talks, interviews, lectures, monologues, narratives, presentations, radio programmes, talks, telephone conversations, welcome address. Marking: There are 30 questions. Each correct answer receives one mark and there are no negative marks for the incorrect ones. |
Reading 5 Parts/40 questions 60 mins. Total reading: 1800 – 2000 words approximately |
Task types: Gapped text; multiple matching; 3 option and 4 option multiple-choice questions; True/False/Not Given. Skills tested: Reading for gist and global meaning; reading for specific information and details; reading to understand the main ideas; reading for detailed comprehension; reading to interpret information; understanding attitudes, opinions, and purpose of the writer; following text organisation features; understanding text structure; understanding meaning from context. Text sources: The test is designed using authentic or adapted, real-world materials such as; notices, messages, articles from newspapers, magazines and websites, personal correspondence, encyclopedia entries, brochures, reports, data information sheets, fiction, advertisements and manuals. Marking: There are 40 questions. Each correct answer receives one mark and there are no negative marks for the incorrect ones. |
Writing 3 Tasks/60 mins. Task 1: 40-50 words Task 2: 80-100 words Task 3: 200-220 words |
Task 1: Writing a short personal letter or email to someone in a familiar context. Task 2: Summarising and comparing the key information that is presented as a visual. Image source: Adapted, real-world material that are relevant in the life of 15-17 year olds. Task 3: Write an article or essay on a topic related to a subject of school study (e.g., Economics, Environment, Science). |
Speaking 12-14 mins. 5 Parts |
Part 1: Answer questions on familiar topics such as family, work, study, and interests. Part 2: Read aloud four sentences. Part 3: Talk on a general topic for 1 minute. Candidates are provided verbal prompts and have 30 seconds to prepare their talk. Part 4: Make comparisons between two pictures on a related theme. Candidates need to talk for 1-2 minutes. Part 5: Answer general questions related to the theme of pictures given in Part 4. Candidates are required to express their views and feelings, expand and support their ideas and provide extended responses. Marking: Assessment is based on performance across all parts of the Speaking Test, and is achieved by applying the relevant descriptors in the assessment scales. |
- Listening : Following dictation of spellings of names, places, numbers, currency, timings; Listening for specific information and details; Listening for detailed meaning; Listening to identify attitude and opinion of the speakers; Listening for detail; Listening for gist and overall meaning.
- Reading: Reading for gist and global meaning; Reading for specific information and details; Reading to understand the main ideas; Reading for detailed comprehension; Reading to interpret information; Understanding attitudes and opinions and writer’s purpose; Following text organisation features; Understanding text structure; Understanding meaning from context.
Writing
- Task Fulfilment or Task Realization: This basically grades whether you have answered the question fully. It marks whether you have addressed all parts of the task and covered all requirements of the task sufficiently.
- Organisation and Cohesion: Organising your writing, coherence and cohesion normally go together. It basically checks how your writing fits together. Does your writing, with its ideas and content, flow logically? Coherence is how you are making yourself understood and whether the reader of your writing understands what you are saying
- Language – Accuracy and Range: Academic Writing requires the use of correct language including vocabulary, grammar, sentence construction etc. and being able to appropriately use precise language to present ideas accurately. To demonstrate that you have great language skills you must use a variety of words and a range of structures.
Speaking
- Task Achievement: Task Achievement basically grades you on whether ‘you have answered the question’ or done what you were required to do. It marks whether you have covered all requirements of the task sufficiently and if you spoke, highlighted and illustrated the key points when speaking.
- Fluency and Coherence: This checks your ability to talk with normal levels of continuity, rate and effort and to link ideas and language together to form coherent, connected speech. Key indicators of fluency are speech rate and speech continuity.
- Pronunciation: Your ability to produce comprehensible speech to fulfil the speaking test requirements is marked under Pronunciation. Key indicators of Pronunciation are the amount of strain caused to the listener, the amount of speech which is unintelligible and the noticeability of L1 influence (first language influence)
- Grammar and Vocabulary: This assesses your range and approximate use of grammatical resources. The key indicators are the length and complexity of the spoken sentences, the appropriate use of subordinate clauses and the range of sentence structures, especially to move elements around for information focus. It also covers the variety of words used and the precision with which meanings and attitudes can be expressed. This tests your ability to use appropriate words and to circumlocute.
Marking
- Each module carries 25% weightage.
- Scores are reported out of 100.
- Listening: One mark for each correct answer. No negative mark.
- Reading: One mark for each correct answer. No negative mark.
- Writing: Marked by Certified Examiners using the GETS Scale of English Writing Marking Guides and descriptors aligned to the CEFR
- Speaking: Marked by Certified Examiners using the GETS Scale of English-Speaking Marking Guides and descriptors aligned to the CEFR.
A quick look at the GETS Upper Intermediate Scores mapped to the GETS Levels and CEFR.
The test report shows the Scores achieved, the GETS Level and the CEFR equivalency.
- Practice Test for offline practice
- Online Practice Test for online practice
- eBook with integrated Videos
- Printed book with answer keys and tips
- Video speaking practice with experts
- Feedback on Writing and Speaking practice
- Mobile App support
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GETS Upper Intermediate Highlights
- Assess all four language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
- On-demand modular testing, giving candidates the option to choose how and when they want to be tested
- Emphasises communicative competence and the use of the English language in social, educational and everyday contexts
- Engaging test questions that reflect real-life scenarios
- Meeting everyone’s needs and preferences: paper-based or computer-based testing
- Quick release of results – within 1O working days
- Writing and Speaking – marked by certified examiners
- Test questions aligned to the GETS Scale of English
- Results aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Developed by a highly experienced team of English language experts