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TIE Exams


Preparation for the B2-C2 Levels


Candidates must undertake the mandatory preparation for the examination, which involves the preparation of standard, pre-specified tasks. These tasks form the framework within which Candidates select their own topics and materials and decide how they develop each task, preferably under guidance from their school or their own tie tutor.

In preparation for the examination Candidates are required to:

  • Carry out an Investigation (or mini project) on a topic of interest, through reading and/or listening to various sources to gather information.
  • Read a Book/graded Reader in English in order to be able to speak or write about it.
  • Follow a News Story through reading and/or listening to various sources to gather information in order to be able to speak or write about it
  • Keep a Logbook, in which they record information about the preparation they have undertaken.

The Logbook

The Logbook is a folder in which Candidates record the information about the preparation they have undertaken (i.e., the investigation, news story, book). It may be hand-written or typed. The logbook is NOT assessed or awarded a grade; however, the logbook must be presented to the Interlocutor in order for the Candidate to fulfil the examination requirements.
Candidates must bring their logbook to the examination session. A Candidate who does not present a logbook for the Spoken TIE will be automatically awarded a DNF (Did Not Fulfil requirements) grade.

The Investigation

The investigation or mini-project, is an essential component of the Spoken TIE examination at all levels.
The investigation should be on a topic selected by the Candidate and they should bring their project with them to the examination sessions (in the logbook). The project can be hand written or typed and must be supported by visuals and should be at least 2/3 pages long. The Candidate must be prepared to present their findings and answer questions about the topic.
Candidates are NOT assessed on the accuracy of the content of their investigation.
A Candidate who does not present an investigation for the Spoken TIE will be automatically awarded a DNF (Did Not Fulfil requirements) grade.

The Book

The book is an essential component of both the Spoken TIE and the Written TIE examinations.
Candidates should select and read a book in preparation for the examination session. The book must be in English and a whole class should not work on the same book. The Candidate must be prepared to present the book and answer questions about the book they have read.
At B2-C2 levels, the Candidate will be expected to either speak or write about the book. The Candidate will be informed on the day of the examinations.
Candidates may choose either a work of fiction or non-fiction and these can be contemporaneous or classic literary works, a Graded Reader, operational manuals, comic books etc. English course books or magazines are not permitted.
A Candidate who does not present a book they have read for the examination session will be automatically awarded a DNF (Did Not Fulfil requirements) grade.

The News Story

The News Story is an essential component of both the Spoken and the Written TIE examinations.
Candidates should select and follow a news story from at least two different media sources, such as newspapers, the internet, television or a magazine, and they should bring their news story with them to the examination sessions (in the logbook). The news story must not be more than 6 months old at the date of the examination. The Candidate must be prepared to present and answer questions about their news story.
The Candidate will be expected to either speak or write about the news story. The Candidate will be informed on the day of the examinations.
A Candidate who does not present a news story for the examination session, or presents a news story more than 6 months old, will be automatically awarded a DNF (Did Not Fulfil requirements) grade.


Spoken TIE Examination Summary B2–C2
Step Task Summary Timings
1. Introduction: Conversation (Spontaneous) Personal introductions Exchange of personal information(All Candidates) Candidates listen and talk to the interlocutor and each other, to introduce each other and exchange personal information. 4 minutes (for two Candidates)
5-6 minutes (for three Candidates)
2. Investigation (Prepared) Presentation and discussion of Investigation (All Candidates) In turn, each Candidate refers to their Logbook and presents their project. Both Candidates comment on the other’s project and respond to questions from the Interlocutor/each other. 8-9 minutes (for two Candidates)
12-13 minutes (for three Candidates)
3. The News Story* (Prepared) Presentation and discussion of the news story (One Candidate*) One Candidate presents their news story and answers questions from the Interlocutor/the other Candidate. 5-6 minutes
4. The Book(Prepared) Presentation and discussion of the book (One Candidate*) One Candidate presents their book and answers questions from the Interlocutor/the other Candidate. 5-6 minutes
5. Decision Making Task (Spontaneous) Candidates discuss the task between themselves and make a decision which they present to the Interlocutor (All Candidates) Candidates use the visual prompts and the question or problem given by the Interlocutor to discuss the issue, arriving at a decision together. 4-5 minutes (for two Candidates)
7-8 minutes (for three Candidates)
Total Examination Time 30 minutes (for two Candidates)
45 minutes (for three Candidates)
*Candidates must be prepared to present and discuss both their book and their news story. The Interlocutor decides which task they will present in the Spoken TIE.

Written TIE Examination Summary B2-C2
Step Task Summary Timings
1. Prepared Writing Candidates are asked to write about the book OR the news story* (whichever they didn’t discuss in the Spoken TIE, i.e. if the candidate discussed their book in the Spoken TIE, they are asked to write about her news story and vice versa). The task will require Candidates to write a letter, article or report.

Approximate Word Count:
• B2: minimum 150 words
• C1 & C2: minimum 200 words
45 minutes
2. Spontaneous Writing Candidates are asked to write a short text (letter, article, essay, review) on a familiar topic, choosing one from a set of two options.

Approximate Word Count:
• B2: minimum 150 words
• C1 & C2: minimum 200 words
45 minutes
Total Examination Time 90 minutes
*Candidates must be prepared to present and discuss both their book and their news story. The Interlocutor decides which task they will present in the Spoken TIE.