• The content and format of each part of the test
The test is comprised of two main parts focusing on receptive skills which are listening and reading comprehension. Since the focus of this test review is on listening comprehension, the detail of only the first section is presented. There are four sub-tests in multiple-choice format.
Part one consists of 20 questions which is a picture part. For each question, the photograph is provided in the test booklet. The test-takers hear four short statements and are required to choose the answer which best describes the photograph. The statements are not printed in the test booklet and the settings are offices, street scenes, restaurants, laboratories, etc.
Part two is question and response type which comprises of 30 questions. Both questions and answers are not printed in the test booklet. For each item, the test-takers hear a question, followed by three responses. They must choose the correct answer to the question.
There are 30 questions in part three which are in short conversation between two people. For each question, the test-takers hear the three-part exchange; then they read a short question with four possible answers and choose the correct answer. The situations involve discussions on the work issue, requests for information at airports or bus stations, meeting and business trip plans, etc.
Part four is the short talks with 20 questions. For each item, the test takers listen to the short talk; they read two or more questions with four possible answers and choose the correct answer. The topics of the talks are public announcements, news reports, meeting discussions, public service bulletins, and commercials.