GESE Grade 5

[suds19]

Has anyone used Trinity college's GESE (Graded Examinations in Spoken English) grade 5 exam to meet English language requirement?

I have registered for taking this as it is only 10 minutes speaking and listening test and is at B1 level.

But I don't see this in UKBA approved list of exams so a bit worried.

I have found the below information on internet (please note the links are for reference and may help, not advertising or selling anything here) -

Exam Info - http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk/site/?id=368
ILR suitability - http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk/site/?id=2094
Test Centre claim - http://englishexamcentres.co.uk/b1-esol ... vel-3.html

If anyone has already appeared and received certificate then can they confirm if the certificate mentions - (1) B1 level (2) OFQUAL - Qualification number 500/1934/X (3) ESOL Entry level 3 ?

If already applied for ILR then please update this thread with your experiences with UKBA application with GESE grade 5 certificate.

I called the englishexamcentres and they told me that although this exam is not on the approved list, but it satisfies using the UKBA second clause (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... hip/kol-uk Page(2)) - "Qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Entry level 3, Level 1 or Level 2, that include speaking and listening and that have been regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), the Welsh Government or the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). The qualification must be listed as an ESOL qualification on the Register of Regulated Qualifications and have been taken in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The register is available at: http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/2"

[Sahib]

I found the same, I am spending so much time finding a course which is easy and also listed on UKBA approved list.

I am worried if I go for this test by the saying of exam centre/trinity and what if HO did not accept saying this is not on their approved list.

[tulip11]

English exam centres is approved by UKBA if you visit their site on the top UKBA is mentioned plus I asked them they said we have been approved by UKBA and they give centres for this test in few major cities I have given this test and got my certificate within few working days.

[suds19]

Hi Tulip11

Could you check your certificate and let use know if it mentions - (1) B1 level (2) OFQUAL - Qualification number 500/1934/X (3) ESOL Entry level 3 ?

Maybe a picture of the certificate with your name and details blanked out will help those apprehensive about it.

Have you already applied for ILR with this certificate?

Regards

[tulip11]

Hi Tulip11

Could you check your certificate and let use know if it mentions - (1) B1 level (2) OFQUAL - Qualification number 500/1934/X (3) ESOL Entry level 3 ?

Maybe a picture of the certificate with your name and details blanked out will help those apprehensive about it.

Have you already applied for ILR with this certificate?

Regards

I am going to apply for my ILR this month . Yes it states grade 5 entry level certificate in esol international (speaking and listening ) entry 3. B1.1 of the CEFR.

[Sahib]

Not so many posts from people who already successfully applied after 28th October, i am very confused as time is running and i can not decide if the Trinity College's GESE Grade 5 will be acceptable for the purpose of ILR application?

[tulip11]

Not so many posts from people who already successfully applied after 28th October, i am very confused as time is running and i can not decide if the Trinity College's GESE Grade 5 will be acceptable for the purpose of ILR application?

it is acceptable as they mentioned clearly on English exam centre and on its own site that it's for indefinite and naturalisation purposes.

[wowboy]

Not so many posts from people who already successfully applied after 28th October, i am very confused as time is running and i can not decide if the Trinity College's GESE Grade 5 will be acceptable for the purpose of ILR application?

Hi,

It's acceptable. My wife just got her certificate within 1week. English Exam Centre takes exam but certificate comes from Trinity College and mentions grade 5 B1 level.
It's very eas and piece of cake exam only takes few mins cheat chatting
Tinity on HO list and no need to worry abt it.

[suds19]

As I mentioned in my first post - I called the englishexamcentres and they told me that although this Grade 5 exam (Grade 2 is there on the list) is not on the UKBA published approved list, but it satisfies using the UKBA second clause (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... hip/kol-uk Page(2)) - "Qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Entry level 3, Level 1 or Level 2, that include speaking and listening and that have been regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), the Welsh Government or the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). The qualification must be listed as an ESOL qualification on the Register of Regulated Qualifications and have been taken in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The register is available at: http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/2"

Has anyone really found any mention of grade 5 exam on UKBA website?

It could very well be accepted by UKBA, but just a bit worrying..especially given that Grade 2 made it to the published approved list for A1 but not Grade 5 for B1.

[tulip11]

As I mentioned in my first post - I called the englishexamcentres and they told me that although this Grade 5 exam (Grade 2 is there on the list) is not on the UKBA published approved list, but it satisfies using the UKBA second clause (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... hip/kol-uk Page(2)) - "Qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Entry level 3, Level 1 or Level 2, that include speaking and listening and that have been regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), the Welsh Government or the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). The qualification must be listed as an ESOL qualification on the Register of Regulated Qualifications and have been taken in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The register is available at: http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/2"

Has anyone really found any mention of grade 5 exam on UKBA website?

It could very well be accepted by UKBA, but just a bit worrying..especially given that Grade 2 made it to the published approved list for A1 but not Grade 5 for B1.

actually they mentioned about B1 CEFR which is grade 5 don't worry its acceptable.

[suds19]

I would like to hear from people who has applied for ILR using GESE grade 5. Please post your experiences.

I just might add that I'm on Tier-1, if we get a definite reply from UKBA that a PBS calculator printout and original bachelor degree will suffice, then I'll cancel my GESE exam.

Also would like to bring to notice of the exorbitant fee being charged by english exam centre. If it is Ofqual approved, then I think they should look into this. Trinity charges only £30-40 for its examiner time for Grade 5, which is inflated 4 times by Test centre (£125). And is almost same as IELTS (£135) which includes reading and writing and is a whole day affair.

There is another test centre - Language Learning Centre in London, which is charging only £70 for GESE Grade 5 (prices true as of last Friday 01/11/2013), but unfortunately its not possible to book slot for the next exam date on Nov 13/14 and the next date after that is in Jan 2014, which will be too late for me.

[HSMP_MBA_provision]

I would like to hear from people who has applied for ILR using GESE grade 5. Please post your experiences.

I just might add that I'm on Tier-1, if we get a definite reply from UKBA that a PBS calculator printout and original bachelor degree will suffice, then I'll cancel my GESE exam.

Also would like to bring to notice of the exorbitant fee being charged by english exam centre. If it is Ofqual approved, then I think they should look into this. Trinity charges only £30-40 for its examiner time for Grade 5, which is inflated 4 times by Test centre (£125). And is almost same as IELTS (£135) which includes reading and writing and is a whole day affair.

There is another test centre - Language Learning Centre in London, which is charging only £70 for GESE Grade 5 (prices true as of last Friday 01/11/2013), but unfortunately its not possible to book slot for the next exam date on Nov 13/14 and the next date after that is in Jan 2014, which will be too late for me.

My wife passed the test this week but I am still unsure if this will be acceptable or not by HO.

Has anybody recently applied in PEO with this test for their ILR or in NCS for nationalty test got any feedback for us?

I must say if this is acceptable then it is easiest test and could be done without any prepration.

[timtom]

I've spoken to Trinity College London and they have confirmed that the GESE Grade 5 test is definitely acceptable to the UKBA for settlement purposes. They claim that the UKBA document is not up to date.

[timtom]

Further update for you. The list which everyone automatically consults i.e. the SELT list which lists exams accepted for immigration into the UK, only specifically mentions Grade 2 which is the minimum level required for a spouse visa.

However, the list of exams accepted for ILR / Citizenship is a wider list, including all ESOL qualifications which are approved by Ofqual. Trinity’s GESE Grade 5 is an Ofqual-approved ESOL qualification in Speaking & Listening at Entry 3 / B1. You can see it in the statement of intent available here (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... t-koll.pdf) and the relevant section is below:

The following qualifications will be accepted:
• Qualifications covering speaking and listening at B1 or above from the Secure English Language
Test (SELT) list in the Immigration Rules, Appendix O. The SELT list is available at:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... -tests.pdf
• Qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Entry level 3, Level 1 or Level 2, that include speaking and listening and that have been regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). The qualification must be listed as an ESOL
qualification on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications and have been taken in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The Ofqual register is available at: http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/
• A National Qualification in ESOL at Scottish Qualifications Framework (SCQF) levels 4, 5 or 6 awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and taken in Scotland.

Therefore don't get hung up on the SELT list. If the test is listed on the ofqual register, it will be accepted.

[tulip11]

I've spoken to Trinity College London and they have confirmed that the GESE Grade 5 test is definitely acceptable to the UKBA for settlement purposes. They claim that the UKBA document is not up to date.

yes I asked them the same and they said its acceptable.

[suds19]

timtom, tulip11

Have you applied for settlement using GESE grade 5? Please share your experiences then.

Thanks

[timtom]

No not yet. I'm due to apply in month's time, but I have been researching this for some time and proceeded only once I was comfortable that it would be accepted. As I said a common mistake is to just focus on the SELT list without reading the other acceptable tests.

[Lamilamere]

I have applied for PEO Service since on 31/10/13. I have already passed GESE B1.1 cefr with distinction since August. I was not sure if it will be accepted. Therefore, I took my Masters degree certificate and GESE Exam as well. My ILR was successful but I don't really know the one the Case worker picked among the two certificates.
Regards

[tulip11]

timtom, tulip11

Have you applied for settlement using GESE grade 5? Please share your experiences then.

Thanks

Not yet but going for first appointment of checking documents within few days then after that will be final submission of documents. I hope it ill be accepted. But on English exam centre sites it clearly states that it's for ILR and naturalisation so no point to be worried about.

[timtom]

Lamilamere

Thanks for sharing.

tulip 11

Good luck and do let us know the outcome.

[Lamilamere]

I was granted ILR the same day 31/10/13 in Croydon UKBA. It was PEO service. I will apply for citizenship next week. Regards

[tulip11]

Hi Yes, this certificate is valid for ILR applications.

You are correct, it is not on the Secure English Language Test (SELT) list, but the Home Office have said that the exam for this purpose does NOT NEED to be on this list - only that the SELT list one of three options that can be used. Please see the three options at the bottom of page 2 of this Home Office document: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... hip/kol-uk

Option 2 on this document shows that an exam is acceptable if it is Ofqual approved. Trinity's GESE grade 5 is Oqual approved: http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/Qualifica ... 500_1934_X

Therefore it is acceptable.

I hope this is helpful. Best regards, Eddie.

I am posting this message which i got from English exam centre i asked them about SELT list so they sent me this now it's much more cleared so in this case trinity test is acceptable.

[suds19]

We now have official confirmation from UKBA of GESE Grade 5 acceptance (Earlier the acceptance confirmation was from test provider (Trinity and English Exam Centre) only)

From: "Knowledge Of Life Policy Queries" <KnowledgeOfLifePolicyQueries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk>
Date: Nov 14, 2013 11:55 AM
Subject: RE: Settlement Knowledge of language (New rule effective 28th October 2013) query - Tier 1 General category
To: "Sudhanshu Kumar"


Dear Sir / Madam

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the revised knowledge of Language and Life in the UK requirement that came in to force on 28th October 2013.

Applications for settlement in the UK must be supported by evidence that the applicant:

· has passed the Life in the UK test; AND
· has an English language speaking and listening qualification in English at B1 or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or an equivalent level qualification

We will accept a range of English language qualifications as evidence that an applicant has met the requirement to hold a B1 level speaking and listening qualification. This will help ensure that all those needing to take a test will be able to find one suitable for their needs and, so far as possible, that no one who already has an English language qualification at B1 level or above will be required to take another one.

The following qualifications will be accepted for settlement purposes:

• Qualifications covering speaking and listening at B1 or above from the Secure English Language Test (SELT) list in the Immigration Rules, Appendix O. The SELT list is available at:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... -tests.pdf

• Qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Entry level 3, Level 1 or Level 2, that include speaking and listening and that have been regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), the Welsh Government or the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). The qualification must be listed as an ESOL qualification on the Register of Regulated Qualifications and have been taken in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The register is available at: http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/Qualification

• A National Qualification in ESOL at Scottish Qualifications Framework

GESE Grade 5 qualifications awarded by Trinity College London are listed on the Ofqual register as “TCL Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International - Speaking and Listening (Entry 3)”. These qualifications therefore fall in to the 2nd bullet point above and are therefore accepted for settlement purposes.

Applicants will also need to show that they have passed the life in the UK test to demonstrate their knowledge of life in the UK.

Regards

Mrs C Richards

Mrs C Richards
Nationality Policy Advisor | Operational Policy & Rules Unit
Immigration & Border Policy | Home Office
Home Office, The Capital, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9PP.


From: Sudhanshu Kumar
Sent: 13 November 2013 22:30
To: Knowledge Of Life Policy Queries; Settlement Ops Policy Mailbox; Nationality Policy Team - Liverpool
Subject: Re: Settlement Knowledge of language (New rule effective 28th October 2013) query - Tier 1 General category

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to enquire about the new KOLL requirement from 28th October 2013 which now requires ILR applicants to have a speaking and listening qualification in English at B1 CEFR or higher, or an equivalent level qualification.

My query is regarding Trinity College GESE Grade 5 (Listening & Speaking) exam. Is this exam acceptable for ILR? This is not on the SELT list - http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... -tests.pdf.
There is a GESE Grade 2 on the last page of the SELT list for which says - "GESE Grade 2 pass in speaking and listening (Spouses & Partners)", but it is not for ILR.

Trinity college on its website says GESE, Speaking & Listening exam at Grade 5 (B1) will be accepted by UKBA. Link here - http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk/site/?id=2094

Also on wiki page for CEFR, it shows GESE Grade 5&6 at B1 level. Link here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Eur ... _Languages

Could you please confirm if a pass in GESE grade 5 will be accepted for ILR applications?

Kind Regards
Suds Kumar

[Gaffer]

Not so many posts from people who already successfully applied after 28th October, i am very confused as time is running and i can not decide if the Trinity College's GESE Grade 5 will be acceptable for the purpose of ILR application?

my info is the cert is approved and and there are other trinity credited exam centres around one in basildon essex i believe and there is a lituk in basildon as well but do not know if same place

[tulip11]

I have been granted ILR and I had submitted trinity B1 certificate.