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.

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.

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.