The quick and reliable English language test
If you need a quick and reliable language assessment tool for your organisation, Aptis ESOL is the right test for you.
“Taking the Aptis test with MTS was incredibly smooth. The computer system worked perfectly, the invigilators were helpful, and I received my results in just 48 hours.”
— David, Aptis ESOL General candidate
Book an Aptis ESOL exam
Where would you like to take your exam?
Why take Aptis ESOL?
Aptis ESOL is a four-skills, computer-based English test, developed by the British Council, delivered in supervised test sessions and regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England.
Developed by the British Council's experts in language testing, Aptis ESOL is underpinned by the latest research in assessment. It provides reliable results to enable better decision-making about your language training, benchmarking or selection processes.
Three types of Aptis ESOL test
The Aptis ESOL test has three different formats:
- Aptis ESOL General — a general English proficiency test for candidates testing levels A1 to B2 on the CEFR.
- Aptis ESOL Advanced — a variant of Aptis which tests language proficiency from B1 to C2 on the CEFR. Tasks are more complex and designed to distinguish between C1 and C2 level candidates.
- Aptis ESOL for Teachers — adapted for the educational context. The test content relates to teachers and the scenarios they come across every day. It has the same format as Aptis ESOL General and tests levels from A1 to B2.
Why would a business or school want to test English proficiency using Aptis ESOL?
Many businesses, health and social care providers, public sector bodies or educational institutions who involve non-native English speakers in their work may want to verify their staff or students' English language levels. For example:
- As part of a recruitment process to filter the best candidates
- To support a skills benchmarking exercise
- To test students or staff at the start and/or end of a training course
- As a tool for ongoing learning and development
Employers may want assurance that their employees are conversant in English to a defined level for various reasons — such as health and safety (communicating effectively to reduce the risk of workplace accidents), or ensuring great customer service in public-facing sectors like hospitality, taxi drivers, public sector workers or call centre operatives.
Why would an individual want to test English proficiency using Aptis ESOL?
Individuals may want an Aptis ESOL results certificate to prove to employers that they have a certain standard of English language proficiency. Individuals may also have been asked to sit an Aptis ESOL test to access an educational course.
Aptis ESOL exam fees & info
Select a city to see the price for that country.
Aptis ESOL Assessments
Aptis ESOL General (all four skills)
Duration: 180 mins
Standard Fee
€94.53
Aptis ESOL Advanced (all four skills)
Duration: 180 mins
Standard Fee
€94.53
Aptis ESOL for Teachers (all four skills)
Duration: 180 mins
Standard Fee
€94.53
The price shown is the British-Council-fixed fee for the selected venue's country.
The Aptis ESOL test takes about 3 hours to complete. The test has five sections which are taken in one 3-hour test sitting:
- Speaking: 12 minutes
- Listening: 40 minutes
- Grammar and Vocabulary: 25 minutes
- Reading: 35 minutes
- Writing: 50 minutes
Aptis ESOL price
The Aptis ESOL test price is fixed by the test owner, The British Council, for the UK and Ireland and is the same for all exam venues working with The British Council to deliver Aptis ESOL:
- Aptis ESOL in the UK: £79.00 per test taker
- Aptis ESOL in Ireland: €94.53 per test taker
How do I book?
You can book on our website using the online booking system. Alternatively, MTS can deliver Aptis ESOL at your venue or workplace by arrangement, in what we call a 'closed' test session — we come to your workplace and test groups of staff or students all in one sitting.
If you are a business, health or social care entity, public body or educational institution interested in testing your staff or students using Aptis ESOL at your own venue, contact us at info@mtsglobal.uk.com outlining your requirements and location and we will be right back in touch.
Preparing for Aptis ESOL
To prepare, visit the British Council's Aptis preparation page. British Council Aptis preparation
Transfers, cancellations and refunds
If you have purchased an Aptis ESOL exam from MTS that takes place in more than two weeks' time, you have a 14-day period from the date of payment within which you can change your exam date for free, or cancel your exam and receive a full refund. After that period — or if there are 14 days or less until your exam — a transfer or refund is subject to a £15 administration fee. No refund or transfer can be offered if you request to cancel or transfer less than 1 day before the exam.
Within 14 days of payment
Change your exam date for free, or cancel and receive a full refund, during the cooling-off period.
After the cooling-off period
A £15 administration fee applies to a transfer or refund requested after 14 days from payment, or within 14 days of your exam.
Less than 1 day before
No refund or transfer can be offered if you request to cancel or transfer less than one day before the exam.
Special consideration: If you are unable to attend your test, or are disadvantaged on test day owing to exceptional events outside your control, you can apply for special consideration — before the test and up to two calendar days after the test date. If successful, you can cancel for a refund or transfer to a different day. In some circumstances, a £15 administration fee may apply.
Results & appeals
The results from Aptis ESOL are available 48 hours after the date of the test. Results are presented in two ways:
- Numerical score: a score from 0 to 50 for each component
- CEFR level by skill: a CEFR level is allocated for each skill
- An overall CEFR level
MTS will email Aptis ESOL test takers with their results once released.
Aptis ESOL results do not expire, but it is up to the receiving organisation to decide how long they will accept results.
Complaints about test day
If you wish to make a complaint relating to your Aptis test day, please raise it on test day with a staff member and fill in the complaint form. Complaints must be submitted on the day of your test and cannot be accepted after midnight on your Aptis test day. If your complaint is upheld, you will receive a refund or the opportunity to transfer your test to a different day (a £15 administration charge may apply in some circumstances). To submit a complaint, email info@mtsglobal.uk.com.
Appealing your results
If you think your test results are wrong and want to appeal, follow the Enquiry on Results (EOR) procedure. The fee is £40 in the UK and €46 in Ireland. You can request re-marking of the full test up to 8 weeks after test day. Grammar/Vocabulary, Reading and Listening are system checked; Writing and Speaking are re-marked by senior examiners. An EOR request takes around 10 working days. Your EOR fee is refunded if your overall CEFR level increases.
Aptis ESOL FAQs
What if I need special arrangements for my test?
If you require special test arrangements, you must notify us 6–8 weeks beforehand. You'll need to support your request with recent medical evidence (within 2 years), clearly stating your disability, from a qualified professional on official letterhead, signed and stamped, with professional justification of the requested accommodations. We review each request individually and respond to all requests, though not all accommodations can be guaranteed. Available arrangements include Braille papers, an amanuensis/scribe, screen reader, large print, extra time (25–100%), supervised breaks, a separate room or special invigilation, adapted marking, and use of personal computer equipment.
What if I am late for the test or can't make it because of an emergency?
If you arrive late for registration you will not be permitted to take the test and you will lose your test fee. If you are unable to attend or are disadvantaged on test day owing to exceptional events outside your control, you can apply for special consideration — before the test and up to two calendar days after the test date. If successful, you can cancel for a refund or transfer to a different day (a £15 administration fee may apply). Once your application has been sent, you have up to 7 working days to provide written evidence, e.g. a medical certificate, social worker declaration, or police report.
How do I send a copy of my Test Result Certificate to an institution?
There is a secure way to send and verify your test results with recognising institutions via the Aptis digital verification platform. Find out more on the British Council's Aptis results page.
What proof of identification can I use for Aptis?
You must bring the same identification (ID) document that you used to register for the exam. This can be a passport, EU ID card, or BRP card.
When do I get my Aptis test results?
Results from Aptis ESOL are available 48 hours after the date of the test. Please note certificates are paper-based; once we receive them from the British Council we post them via First Class Royal Mail, so please allow some time for the certificate to arrive.
How do I make a complaint about the service provided by MTS?
If you wish to make a complaint relating to your Aptis test day, raise it on test day with a staff member and fill in the complaint form. Complaints must be submitted on the day of your test and cannot be accepted after midnight on your Aptis test day. If upheld, you will receive a refund or the opportunity to transfer (a £15 administration charge may apply). To submit a complaint, email info@mtsglobal.uk.com.
What can I take into the test room?
You cannot bring your watch or mobile phone into the test room — leave your phone turned off in the secure storage provided. Hats (other than religious headwear) are not allowed. If you bring a drink it must be water in a clear plastic bottle with no label. You cannot bring your own paper or pens/pencils, but you can request scrap paper and a pen/pencil during the exam. MTS cannot accept liability for any loss or damage to candidates' possessions.
Can I get my Aptis test re-marked?
Yes — you can request a re-mark (Enquiry on Results) for an additional fee of £40 in the UK and €46 in Ireland. You must request a re-mark for the entire test (not individual components). Grammar, vocabulary, reading and listening are marked by the system; speaking and writing are re-marked by senior examiners. Re-marked results are final and available within 10 working days. If your overall CEFR level improves your fee is refunded and you receive a new certificate; if your level is unchanged the fee isn't refunded.