Versant English Test
How to improve your score
Versant English Test: Format
The Versant speaking test takes approximately 20 minutes.
There are 63 questions across 6 task types:
Part A: Reading (8 questions)
Part B: Repeat (16 questions)
Part C: Short questions (24 questions)
Part D: Sentence build (10 questions)
Part E: Story retelling (3 questions)
Part F: Open questions (2 questions)
How is my score calculated in the Versant English Test?
Your score is calculated by assessing the following skills:
Sentence Mastery
This skill describes your ability to understand, remember and say English phrases and clauses in complete sentences.
Your performance depends on accurate understanding of a given sentence and appropriate usage of words, phrases and clauses in meaningful sentences.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary reflects the ability to understand common everyday words spoken in context and to produce such words as needed.
Your performance depends on your familiarity with the form and meaning of everyday words and their use in conversations.
Fluency
Fluency reflects your ability to replicate natural rhythm, intonation and timing when repeating, reading and creating sentences.
Pronunciation
Pronunciation reflects your ability to produce consonants, vowels and stress in a native-like manner in context.
Performance depends on your knowledge of the sound and stress of everyday words.
Versant English test general tips:
Make sure you are in a quiet room with no background noise (even loud fans and air conditioning can cause interference).
Ensure your headset is properly connected (to avoid static or technical issues).
Speak clearly at a normal volume (don't shout or whisper).
Speak at a normal speed (do not rush or speak extra slowly).
Try pronouncing words that you do not know but be aware you should not correct yourself.
Consider which words need to be stressed.
Give a single response that shows your ability. You will not be able to re-record your answer.
Try a full practice test with answers (Unofficial):
Try a full practice test with answers (Unofficial):
Versant English Test Part A: Reading
What will you have to do?
You will be shown a set of numbered sentences.
You will be asked to read each of the sentences out loud.
You will need to read the sentences exactly as they appear.
You will have 15 seconds to answer.
Which skills are being tested?
This question familiarizes you with speaking aloud.
It also tests pronunciation and fluency
Versant English Test Part A: Reading Tips
Before reading, think about the meaning of the sentence.
Stress the words that you think are most important.
Start speaking within 6 seconds or the test will move on to the next question.
Tips and example for Part A: Reading:
Versant English Test Part B: Repeat
What will you have to do?
You will hear a sentence.
You will need to repeat it.
You will have 15 seconds to answer.
Which skills are being tested?
This section tests your understanding and recall of how phrases and sentences are structured (Sentence Mastery).
It also assesses pronunciation and fluency.
Versant English Test Part B: Repeat Tips
Listen carefully to the sentence.
Think about the meaning of the sentence.
Repeat what you heard using the same rhythm, pauses, and intonation that you heard in the recording.
Start speaking within 6 seconds or the test will move on to the next question.
Tips and examples for Part B: Repeat:
Practice exercises and answers (unofficial) for Part B: Repeat:
Versant English Test Part C: Short Questions
What will you have to do?
You will hear a short question.
You will need to answer with a single word or a short phrase.
You will only hear the question once.
You have 15 seconds to answer.
Which skills are being tested?
This section tests your vocabulary skills.
Versant English Test Part C: Short Questions Tips
Listen for key words in the question.
Do not give a long or detailed reply.
You must start to answer within 6 seconds or the test will move onto the next question.
Tips and examples for Part C: Short Questions:
Practice exercises and answers (unofficial) for Part C: Short Questions:
Versant English Test Part D: Sentence builds
What will you have to do?
You will hear three short phrases.
The phrases will be in a random order.
You will need to rearrange them into a sentence.
You will have 15 seconds to answer.
Which skills are being tested?
This question assesses sentence mastery, fluency, and pronunciation.
Versant English Test Part D: Sentence builds Tips
Listen carefully to the phrases.
Try to identify the subject (S), verb (V) and object (O).
Speak clearly when you answer.
Start speaking within 8 seconds or the test will move on to the next question.
Tips and examples for Part D: Sentence builds:
Practice exercises and answers (unofficial) for Part D: Sentence builds:
Versant English Test Part E: Story retelling
What will you have to do?
You will hear a short story followed by a beep.
After the beep you will need to retell the story in your own words.
You will have 30 seconds to tell the story.
There will be another beep at the end of the 30 seconds.
Which skills are being tested?
This item measures your ability to listen and understand information then reformulate it in detail.
It assesses Fluency, Pronunciation, Vocabulary, and Sentence Mastery.
Versant English Test Part E: Story retelling Tips
Listen carefully to the story.
Focus and try to remember names, places and what happened.
Plan what will you say focusing on key information including who, what, when, where and the outcome.
Use your own words - do not repeat exactly what you heard.
Speak clearly using complete sentences and correct grammar.
Tips and examples for Part E: Story retelling:
Top technique to improve scores in Part E: Story retelling:
Practice exercises and answers (unofficial) for Part E: Story retelling:
Versant English Test Part F: Open questions
What will you have to do?
You will be asked a question about family life or personal choices. The question will be repeated and followed by a beep.
After the beep you will need to give your opinion.
You will have 40 seconds to respond.
At the end of the 40 seconds you will hear another beep and another question.
Which skills are being tested?
This captures your ability to respond spontaneously. It is not scored but will be available to authorized Pearson listeners if test scores need to be reviewed.
Versant English Test Part F: Open questions Tips
Listen to the question.
Decide your position and then think about 1-2 arguments to support it.
Speak clearly in complete grammatical sentences