Trinity GESE Grade 5 (B1)

What Trinity GESE Grade 5 tests

Grade 5 checks that you can talk about a subject you prepared and then chat about everyday subjects. You give reasons, talk about the future, say what you prefer and describe past events. You must not read or recite a script. Source: Trinity specifications .

What happens in the test, step by step

1. Topic phase (up to 5 minutes). You bring a completed Topic Form with five discussion points. The examiner chooses points in any order and covers at least four. You must ask at least one question about your topic.
2. Conversation phase (up to 5 minutes). The examiner chooses two of six subject areas. You must ask at least one question related to the subjects.
3. The examiner ends the test. A missing topic means an automatic fail.

You can read more in our Topic Form guide and Grade 5 conversation subjects pages. Sources: Trinity specifications , Trinity Grade 5 page .

The Topic Form in short

The topic is your own choice. It must not come from the six conversation subjects. The form has five discussion points, one short phrase each. A script or memorised speech is penalised. You may bring pictures or objects. Source: Trinity specifications .

The six conversation subjects

• Festivals
• Means of transport
• Special occasions, for example birthday celebrations
• Entertainment, for example cinema, television, clubs
• Music
• Recent personal experiences

Source: Trinity specifications .

Language Trinity lists for Grade 5

• Functions: talk about the future (informing and predicting), say what you prefer, talk about the indefinite and recent past, give reasons, say how long something lasted, and say how much or how many.
• Grammar: present perfect (with for, since, ever, never, just), because clauses, will for the future, quantity phrases (a lot of, not very much, many), and preference phrases (I prefer, I'd rather).
• Sound: weak forms and short forms. Avoid a recited rhythm.

Grade 4 grammar is also assumed: past simple, going to, comparatives, superlatives, adverbs of frequency and "but". Source: Trinity specifications .

How Grade 5 is marked

Each phase gets its own grade, A (Distinction), B (Merit), C (Pass) or D (Fail), and the phases count equally. Trinity judges task fulfilment: communication, language, accuracy, range and fluency. Only two Ds (DD) fail overall. CD, BD and AD all pass. If you bring no topic, it is an automatic fail. Sources: Trinity conversion tables , Trinity performance descriptors , Trinity results guide .

Trinity's descriptors in short: A is very effective and fluent. B is generally effective. C is moderately effective and may need support. D is very limited.

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 5 as of 9 November 2026. See SELT test fees and SELT test results 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 both phases, in order, with a timer.

• Choose a topic you know well. Write five short points. Do not write a speech.
• Talk about each point for one minute. Then do it in random order.
• Prepare one real question about your topic for the examiner.
• For the conversation, practise reasons with "because", "I prefer ... " and "I've never ...".
• Record yourself. Listen for a flat, memorised sound and fix it.

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