SELT Practice
B2 English test for UK settlement
A B2 English test (speaking and listening) is needed for most settlement (ILR) applications made on or after 26 March 2027. As of 9 November 2026 the GOV.UK list does not include a 2-skill B2 test. Check GOV.UK before you book.
Sample questions and answers for B2 with example answers and tips.
What is changing at B2
The Immigration Rules say settlement moves from B1 to B2 speaking and listening for applications made on or after 26 March 2027 (Appendix KoLL, explanatory memorandum). The level depends on the date you apply.
Read the full detail on B2 English test for ILR.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. Check GOV.UK for your situation before you book.
What the GOV.UK list shows today
As of 9 November 2026, the GOV.UK list of approved secure English language tests has no B2 test in speaking and listening only, in the UK or outside it. At B2 the list has four-skill tests only. The list files are dated 29 September 2025 (UK list, outside-UK list).
The four-skill B2 tests on the list are IELTS for UKVI (5.5 in each part), LanguageCert Academic and General SELT (60), PTE Academic UKVI (59), Trinity ISE II, and PSI Skills for English B2 with four components. Whether a four-skill B2 test will count for B2 speaking and listening at settlement is not confirmed by GOV.UK guidance we found.
Trinity GESE Grade 7
Trinity sells GESE Grade 7 as its "B2 Speaking and Listening" test for settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027. It costs £170 and lasts 15 minutes (Trinity SELT page, Trinity B2 page).
GESE Grade 7 is not on the GOV.UK list files current on 9 November 2026. Whether it has Home Office approval is not confirmed from GOV.UK. Look at GOV.UK again before you book. See our page on Trinity GESE Grade 7.
Other providers at B2
LanguageCert, IELTS Life Skills, PTE Home and PSI publish speaking and listening tests up to B1 only. LanguageCert's web address for a B2 speaking and listening page gave a "not found" error on 9 November 2026 (LanguageCert, Pearson overview).
The Home Office is also buying a new testing service. It is called HOELT. The tender says the new service must be fully remote and offer speaking and listening tests from A1 to C2. The estimated start date is 1 December 2026. No contract award had been published by 9 November 2026 (Find a Tender notice).
What happens in the Trinity Grade 7 test, step by step
- Topic phase (up to 5 minutes). You lead a discussion about a topic you prepared. You may use brief notes or a mind map. You must ask and answer questions and deal with interruptions.
- Interactive phase (up to 4 minutes). The examiner reads a short situation. You take control by asking questions and inviting opinions. If you do not keep the talk going, the examiner does not rescue it and the phase can end early.
- Conversation phase (up to 5 minutes). The examiner chooses two of six subjects: education, national customs, village and city life, national and local produce, early memories, pollution and recycling.
Source: Trinity specifications. The result has three grades and any two grades of D fail.
How to prepare for B2 speaking
B2 means you can lead a conversation, give advice, compare good and bad points, and explain your opinion.
- Practise giving advice with should, ought to and could.
- Practise saying what is possible or uncertain with may, might and I'm not sure.
- Practise asking the other person for their opinion.
- Use used to for the past, and the second conditional for imaginary situations.
You can practise with an AI examiner on this site. It asks questions out loud and you answer out loud.
Not sure of your level? Take the free level check. It takes a few minutes.
What is a B2 English test for the UK?
It is an English test at CEFR level B2. For settlement the Immigration Rules ask for B2 in speaking and listening from 26 March 2027.
Is there a B2 speaking and listening test on the GOV.UK list?
Not as of 9 November 2026. The B2 tests on the list are four-skill tests. Check GOV.UK before you book.
Can I take Trinity GESE Grade 7?
Trinity sells it for settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027. It is not on the GOV.UK list files dated 29 September 2025. Check GOV.UK before you book.
Will a four-skill B2 test work for ILR?
This is not confirmed. The Rules ask for a test in speaking and listening at B2, and GOV.UK guidance on four-skill tests was not found. Check GOV.UK for your situation.
Should I wait to take a B2 test?
We cannot advise you on your own case. A test result is valid for 2 years from the date it is awarded, according to GOV.UK. Check GOV.UK for the current list and your dates.
Is a new Home Office test coming?
The Home Office is buying a new testing service called HOELT, with the estimated start on 1 December 2026. No award had been published by 9 November 2026.