APTIS (Assessment of Proficiency in Teaching International Settings) is a flexible English language proficiency test developed by the British Council. It is used by employers, universities, and government agencies worldwide to assess English ability across four skills — Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking — plus a Core grammar and vocabulary component. This free printable PDF provides practice questions for each component so you can prepare offline and arrive at your test session with confidence.
Print this PDF, work through the practice items, and use the answer guidance to evaluate your performance. Then take our online APTIS practice tests to experience the computer-based format with timed conditions.
The Core test is mandatory for all APTIS candidates. It contains 25 grammar items and 25 vocabulary items completed in approximately 25 minutes. Grammar questions test sentence structure, verb tenses, prepositions, and clause types. Vocabulary questions assess knowledge of word meaning, collocation, and lexical range. Core scores are used in combination with individual skills scores to generate the overall CEFR band.
The Reading component presents several text types — emails, articles, social media posts, and longer informational passages — and tests comprehension through multiple-choice, matching, and gap-fill tasks. The Listening component uses short conversations, monologues, and longer recordings; tasks include selecting the correct answer, completing notes, and identifying key details. Both components require strong vocabulary knowledge to interpret meaning in context.
The Writing component progresses from word-level tasks (filling gaps with single words) through sentence construction and paragraph writing to an extended writing task of around 150–200 words on a discussion topic. Responses are assessed for accuracy, range of language, coherence, and task completion. The Speaking component is recorded: candidates respond to prompts, discuss a topic from multiple angles, and express and defend a point of view. Responses are rated on fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and discourse structure.
APTIS for Teens is a version designed for secondary school students aged 13–17, with age-appropriate topics and slightly shorter tasks. APTIS Advanced is aimed at proficient users and maps to CEFR B1–C2, with more complex texts and greater linguistic demands across all four skills. The standard APTIS General maps to A1 through CEFR C.
For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our aptis practice tests pdf resource.
Work through each component section in the PDF separately. Start with the Core grammar and vocabulary items to establish your current level, then move through Reading, Listening (use the transcript provided), Writing, and Speaking tasks. Grade your responses using the answer key and sample answers included. For writing and speaking, compare your response to the sample to identify areas where you can improve accuracy, range, or coherence.
Use your PDF scores to prioritize which skills need the most attention before your official APTIS test. Complement your offline practice with our online APTIS tests, which simulate the computer-based interface and provide instant scoring for the grammar, vocabulary, reading, and listening sections.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Validates your knowledge and skills objectively | Study materials can be expensive |
| Increases job market competitiveness | Exam anxiety can affect performance |
| Provides structured learning goals | Requires dedicated preparation time |
| Networking opportunities with other certified professionals | Retake fees apply if you don't pass |
Try these questions from our free APTIS - Aptis English Test practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
In the APTIS Speaking test, how long is a typical response expected for a personal question at the B2 level?
Answer: C. Several sentences that develop the idea with examples or reasons
B2-level personal responses should consist of multiple developed sentences that include reasons, examples, or elaboration rather than minimal or excessive answers.
What should a candidate do if they do not understand a question in the APTIS Speaking test?
Answer: B. Ask politely for clarification or repetition
Politely requesting clarification is a natural communication strategy and shows interactive competence.
In the APTIS listening test, when a speaker uses a rising intonation at the end of a statement, this most likely signals:
Answer: B. Uncertainty or a question
Rising intonation at the end of a statement typically indicates the speaker is uncertain or is implicitly asking for confirmation.
A student is asked to reorder scrambled sentences to form a coherent story, a common task in the Aptis Reading Test. Which skill is this task specifically designed to assess?
Answer: B. The understanding of text cohesion and logical sequencing.
The Aptis Reading Test includes a section on text cohesion where candidates must reorder scrambled sentences. This task directly assesses the ability to understand how sentences connect to form a logical, coherent, and cohesive text by identifying clues like sequencing words and pronoun references.