GESE Grade 5 (B1): what happens in the exam

Grade 5 and the B2 change

Trinity's page says Grade 5 is used for settlement (ILR) and British citizenship. GOV.UK lists it as an approved B1 test.

From 26 March 2027, the Immigration Rules on most settlement routes ask for B2 instead, for applications made on or after that date. For B2, Trinity has announced GESE Grade 7. Citizenship stays at B1, and so do a few settlement routes. See B2 English for ILR.

We can't say which level your application needs.

Before the exam: the Topic Form

You choose a topic yourself: something you know about and enjoy talking about. Your job, your town, a hobby or a journey all work. Trinity's guidance says:

• Don't take your topic from the six conversation subjects (listed below).
• Make it personal. Avoid the topic everyone else in your class is using.
• Prepare enough for about five minutes, and no more.

You fill in a Topic Form: a title, and five discussion points about your topic. Each point is a short phrase or sentence. Each point should be a different part of the topic, so the examiner can ask about them in any order.

Someone else may write the form for you, because writing isn't tested. But the ideas must come from you. You may also bring a picture or a photo to help you talk.

Bring the form on the day. Without it, the Topic phase can't take place, and without a prepared topic the exam can't be passed.

Don't write a script. Trinity's guidance says the talk must not be a memorised speech. Prepare ideas and words, not sentences to recite.

Part 1: the Topic phase (up to 5 minutes)

1. The examiner says hello and asks about your topic. You give them your form.
2. The examiner picks points from your form, in any order, and asks about them. They cover at least four of your five points.
3. You give information, explain and give reasons. When the examiner asks for more, give an example.
4. You must ask the examiner at least one question about your topic. Plan one or two natural questions, such as “Have you ever been to…?” or “What do you think about…?”

Part 2: the Conversation phase (up to 5 minutes)

The examiner chooses two of these six subjects:

• Festivals
• Means of transport
• Special occasions
• Entertainment
• Music
• Recent personal experiences

You don't know which two in advance, so prepare a little for all of them.

• This is a real conversation: answer, add a reason, and keep it going.
• At Grade 5 you must ask the examiner at least one question in this part too.
• Don't learn answers by heart. Trinity says recited answers get in the way of a real conversation.

The language the examiner listens for

Trinity lists the language expected at Grade 5. In plain terms:

• The future: saying what will happen, and making predictions (“I think it will…”).
• Preferences: “I prefer…”, “I'd rather…”.
• Recent and unfinished time: the present perfect with for, since, ever, never and just (“I've lived here for six years”).
• Reasons with because.
• How much: “a lot of”, “not very much”, “many”.
• Clear words for your topic, and natural short forms such as “I've been to…”.

How it is marked

The examiner gives a letter for each part:

• A = Distinction
• B = Merit
• C = Pass
• D = below a pass

The two letters together make your overall result. If you get a C or D in a part, the report names one thing to work on.

Provisional result emailed by 9am the day after the exam; digital certificate link within 4-7 days. Trinity's price for all its SELT GESE exams was £160 on 31 October 2026.

Five practice habits that match the format

These are our own suggestions, not Trinity's.

1. Practise your topic with a timer, from your five points only, never from a script.
2. Ask a friend to jump between your points in a random order. The examiner won't follow your order.
3. Write two questions for the examiner about your topic, and one for each conversation subject.
4. Say one sentence about each subject with “I've…” and one with “because”.
5. Record yourself and listen back. Or try our free speaking check. Its B1 practice asks questions in this style and gives a practice estimate. It is not an official result.