A speaking assessment takes about 7 minutes and has three sections. Candidates test their microphone first, and each section opens with a short introduction explaining what is coming.
Two warm-up questions on everyday topics. The candidate gets 15 seconds to think, then recording starts automatically. The first answer allows 40 seconds, the second 55.
These ease people in and give us a baseline before the harder material.
One longer question, either a topic to discuss or a realistic situation to respond to. 15 seconds to think, 80 seconds to answer.
This is where range shows: can they structure an argument, handle an unfamiliar subject, stay coherent past a few sentences.
A short passage to read aloud. 10 seconds to prepare, 50 seconds to read.
Because we know exactly what words they are producing, this isolates pronunciation and rhythm from vocabulary and grammar.
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Recording starts on its own when think time ends, and submits on its own when time runs out. There is no record button to press and no way to re-record or play an answer back.
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That surprises some candidates, so it is worth mentioning when you invite them. It is deliberate: retakes would measure preparation rather than ability, and everyone gets the same conditions.
Questions are revealed one at a time, so candidates cannot read ahead or prepare answers in advance.