The Reading Comprehension component shall consist of a text of about 200 words; or  two texts one of which is linear and the other one non-linear, or two texts that complete each other.

The texts shall be authentic or semi-authentic and extracted from various sources (novels, magazines, newspapers, brochures etc.).

The type of texts used are linear ones (letters, diaries, brochures, reports, etc.) and / or non-linear ones (charts, notes,  tickets, menus, notices, timetables, etc.).

The questions shall be about the content and the organisation of the text, and a certain number of tasks reflecting the abilities specified in the official syllabus.

List of the various types of tasks and items:

• Completing sentences (not requiring much writing);

• Wh-questions (not requiring much writing);

• Multiple choice questions and True / False statements;

• Paraphrasing (in multiple choice form);

• Selecting a plausible title to the text (in multiple choice form);

• Selecting the main idea (in multiple choice form);

• Locating specific information;

• Filling a gapped paragraph to produce a summary;

• Information transfer (tables, charts etc.);

• Matching pictures with sentences, names, paragraphs, etc;

• Providing synonyms, antonyms oppsites;

• Reference(eg. "What does ....... refer to?");

• Guessing the meaning of words from context (in multiple choice form);

• Identifying the statement (sentence) that goes with a given function;

• Identifying the communicative function of a statement in the text (using the multiple choice device).

The language component shall consist of a series of tasks testing the knowledge and competence of a lexical and grammatical nature in an essentially integrated manner.

List of the various types of tasks:

• Providing deleted words in modified versions of the cloze test (eg. ticking a plausible option among 3 or 4 options of a word or phrase in a gapped text integrating vocabulary and grammar);

• Completing a gapped paragraph with words provided (providing more words than blanks);

• Completing and / or producing appropriate utterances in given situations (multiple choice);

• Translating pictures into written form;

• Matching parts of collocations in context (the number of items in column B should be superior to that in column A) ;

• Using the appropriate thought connectives;

• Unscrambling the parts of a short statement or question;

• Reordering misplaced parts in a sentence;

• combining short sentences;

• completing a gapped dialogue or letter.

List of the various types of tasks:

• Writing from a chart / a table;

• Writing a letter of invitation, inquiry, apology, etc.;

• Writing a description, a comparison, etc.;

• Producing directions (eg. telling someone how to get to a place, using a map;

• Writing instructions (eg. describing a process);

• Narrating events (from a sequence of pictures or prompts);

• Responding to a letter (with a specific function);

• Writing a postcard;
• Writing messages.

PS: If one question related to the Reading requires an effort of composition and is therefore set in the writing component, the distribution of points shall be 1 + 4.

1. The Reading shall consist of a text of about 200 words.
The reading may also consist of two texts that complete each other (not exceeding 200 words all in all).
The reading can be linear and / or non linear (with tables, charts or pictures ...).

2. The reading comprehension passage and the questions shall appear on a seperate sheet when they make up more than one page; if not, they can appear on the same sheet.

3. The passage should not be a trivial one; it shall lend itself to a rich and varied exploitation.

4. The language component shall comprise tasks the number of which will depend on the volume of each one of them. What is important is to have 16 items (16 X 0.5).

5. Make sure the language component is feasible in 15 minutes.

6. The volume of the language component shall vary from three quarters of a page to one page.

7. From now on, the use of visuals in the test is recommended.

8. The writing component shall consist of one production task that will be graded over 5 points. If a question related to the Reading is set in the writing part of the test because it requires writing, then the grading will be (1 point + 4 points).

All in all, the test - including the reading comprehension passage(s) - shall consist of about three (3) pages.