Integrated Skills in English Examinations (ISE)

ISE examinations assess all four language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, in an integrated manner. Depending on individual ability levels, one can choose between 5 levels of ISE- 0, I, II, III and IV.

The structure of the examination.

Each level of the examination, ISE 0, ISE I, ISE II, ISE III and ISE IV has the same overall structure. There are 3 parts to an Integrated Skills exam.

1. Portfolio

A portfolio is quite simply a collection of your written work that you may have done in class, or at work or at home away from the pressure of the examination room. Three best pieces of work can then be selected by you for marking by the examiner. While working on the portfolio, you are free to use facilities such as dictionaries, word processors and the Internet.

The portfolio must contain 3 pieces of work. The list of tasks that the candidates can select from is published on the Trinity website. The tasks are divided into 3 sections, and one task must be selected from each. 

a. Letters or e-mails

Letters and e-mails are examples of personal correspondence conducted in English. ISE looks for the ability to produce such correspondence using the language styles and conventions appropriate to each type of writing.

b. Reports, articles and reviews

Reports, articles and reviews include pieces of writing of the type that might appear in an English language newspaper or magazine. Again, ISE is looking for appropriate writing for this kind of medium.

c. Creative Writing

Creative writing includes, for example, personal essays, narrative, descriptive writing such as stories and diaries, and the imaginative use of written language.

2. Written examination

The written examination is taken under formal examination conditions. This is a ‘pen and paper’ examination. It contains 2 tasks.

1. A reading into writing task where the candidate is given a text to read and then must complete tasks based on it. This tests the candidate’s ability to read and understand an authentic text and then respond to its content. At ISE II, III and IV the candidate is also required to summarise the content of the text within a specified word limit.
2. A writing task that will be similar to work done for the portfolio.

Time allotted for the written examination is as follows:

ISE 0 - 45 minutes

ISE I - 1 ½ hours

ISE II - 2 hours

ISE III - 2 ½ hours

3. Interview

It is a one-to-one, face-to-face interview with the visiting examiner from the UK.

The phases and length of the interview differ from ISE 0 to I to II to III to IV.

ISE 0 - 8 minutes

ISE I - 8 minutes

ISE II - 12 minutes

ISE III - 20 minutes

The candidate’s performance in the interview is assessed based on the following factors:

• Coverage of the listed communication skills including language functions and grammatical, lexical and phonological items.
• Accuracy and appropriacy in the use of the listed grammatical, lexical and phonological items.
• Fluency and promptness of response appropriate for the level.

The fee structure of the examinations:

ISE 0   Rs.4300
ISE I    Rs.4500
ISE II   Rs.6500
ISE III  Rs.8400
ISE IV Rs.8750

To download the exam syllabus and acquaint yourself with the exams in detail, visit www.trinitycollege.co.uk

For registration details mail us at: trinity.exams@orientblackswan.com