Aptis Revisions

December 2019

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Aptis: Summary of Changes
‘The Aptis test system was designed to be dynamic and it is expected that revisions
and changes to various aspects of the system will be implemented in the course of
actively engaging with the needs of test users.’

O’Sullivan, B. (2015). Aptis Test Development Approach. TF/2015/001. London: British

Council.

Changes to the Aptis test follow reviews of the test in consultation with
the Assessment Research Group.
• The changes affect the Listening and Reading components only.
• Some task types have been revised, and some new task types have been introduced.
• The overall mark for each component remains unchanged.

Timeline
The following changes will appear in live exams on the following dates:
• General Aptis on April 6, 2020
• Aptis for Teens and Aptis for Teachers on September 7, 2020.

Listening Changes (General, Teachers)

Maximum time allowed to complete the Listening test is now 40 minutes.

Item Description

A1 • 5 separate recordings (No change)

• 3 option multiple choice
• Options are not stated in the audio

A2 • 5 separate recordings (No change)

• 3 option multiple choice
• Options are not stated in the audio

B1 • 3 separate recordings
• 3 option multiple choice
• Options are not stated in the audio

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 B1 • New item type: Listen to 4 short recordings, identify information and
match it to the speaker

B2 • New item type: Listen to a dialogue and decide who expresses an

opinion on a certain topic

B2 • New item type: 2 separate recordings

• Each recording has two 3 option multiple choice
• Options are not stated in the audio

Reading Changes (Aptis General, Teachers, Teens)

Maximum time allowed to complete the Reading test is now 35 minutes.

Item Description

A1 • Choose words to complete sentences in short text from 3 options

(No change)

A2 • Two short texts of six sentences each instead of one text of seven
sentences

B1 • New Item Type: 4 short paragraphs: matching factual information to

text (Not applicable to Aptis Teens)

B2 • Match headings to paragraphs of long text (No change)