Trinity GESE Grade 2 (A1)

What Trinity GESE Grade 2 tests

Grade 2 checks that you can understand short, simple questions and give short, simple answers. It is a conversation, not a talk. The examiner leads. You can answer with short positive or negative forms and with phrases you have learned. You also ask for very basic personal information. Source: Trinity specifications .

Grade 2 is one test on a ladder. Grade 3 is the next step and is A2. See Trinity GESE Grade 3 .

What happens in the test, step by step

1. The examiner greets you and helps you feel at ease.
2. The examiner starts a conversation about everyday things. They may use objects or pictures, or refer to the room.
3. You answer. Short answers are fine. You can use phrases you know.
4. You ask the examiner at least one very simple question about personal details, for example about a sister or a pet.
5. The examiner says goodbye. The whole test is up to 6 minutes.

Source: Trinity specifications , Trinity Grade 2 page .

The one thing you must do

You must ask the examiner at least one very simple question about personal details. Many candidates only answer. If you never ask, you have not done what the test asks. Learn two or three question shapes now: "Do you have a brother?", "Where do you live?", "Have you got a car?" Say one early, so you do not forget. Source: Trinity specifications .

What the examiner can talk about

Trinity's specification lists these areas for Grade 2.

• Topics: rooms in the home, household objects, family and friends, pets, possessions, days and months, numbers up to 50.
• What you may need to do: say where people and things are, describe people, animals, objects and places very simply, state simple facts, and say what you have.
• Grammar: present simple, there is and there are, has got and have got, where and how questions, and in, on, under, between and next to. Possessives such as mine and yours are also listed.
• Sound: basic rising voice for simple questions, and short forms like "I'm" and "it's".

Source: Trinity specifications .

Grade 1 language is also assumed, such as the verb to be, plural words, colours and numbers to 20.

How Grade 2 is marked

Trinity judges one overall idea: can you do the task (task fulfilment)? It covers how well you communicate, the language you use, and your fluency. At Grade 2 there is one phase, so you get one grade: A (Distinction), B (Merit), C (Pass) or D (Fail). D is a fail. A, B and C pass. Sources: Trinity specifications , Trinity conversion tables .

Summary of Trinity's descriptors: Trinity performance descriptors .

Test setting, price and results

For the SELT, the examiner joins by video conference. At a Trinity centre you sit at a tablet. A personal steward sets it up for you. Examiners may tailor the test to a study, work or everyday-life setting, depending on your background and preference. Sources: Trinity Grade 2 page , Trinity specifications .

Trinity's SELT page shows £160 for Grade 2 as of 9 November 2026. Trinity also sells optional Exam Protect for a retake. See SELT test fees for other fees and SELT test results times for result times.

Trinity says you get a provisional result by email by 9am the day after the exam. The final result and a link to your digital certificate follow within 4 to 7 days. UK SELT digital certificates usually arrive within 7 days. A printed certificate costs £12.50. Source: Trinity SELT page , Trinity results page .

How to practise

Practise short, clear answers out loud. Do not write a script. Read your answers aloud, then say them again without the paper.

• Say each topic aloud for one minute: your family, your home, your pets, your day.
• Practise place words with things around you: "The cup is on the table."
• Practise asking five simple personal questions until they feel natural.
• If you do not understand, say "Sorry, can you say that again?" It is a useful skill.
• Do a timed 6 minute practice, then listen back to yourself.

You can practise with an AI examiner here, or take the free level check (no sign-up).