Communication Skills exams are designed to support candidates in developing a range of 21st Century communication skills that can have a positive impact in both education and the workplace.
Trinity’s graded Communication Skills exams and Performance Certificates are designed to support candidates to develop a range of transferable 21st century skills that can have a positive impact in both education and the workplace.
The exams assess the following skills through a range of contexts:
◗ Verbal and non-verbal communication
◗ Conversation and discussion
◗ Critical thinking and problem-solving
◗ Research and reflection
◗ Presentation
◗ Persuasion and negotiation
◗ Planning and preparation
◗ Usage of equipment and materials to aid communication
◗ Interpersonal
Furthermore, by working towards these exams, a range of other skills not assessed directly are developed that are highly valued by schools and employers: self-motivation, ability to learn and adjust, working to deadlines, teamwork and flexibility, and organisational, numeracy and IT skills.
Exam Reqreuiments
| Exam Duration | 10 minutes |
| Task 1 -Conversation | The candidate engages in a brief conversation led by the examiner on one or two of the following topics (the examiner chooses the topic(s)): ◗ The weather that day/week ◗ Their favourite book/film/song/computer game ◗ Their journey that day (maximum time: 1 minute) |
| Task 2 - Talk | The candidate gives a talk about one of the following topics: ◗ A remarkable person ◗ Their favourite activity ◗ Their favourite holiday (maximum time: 3 minutes) The examiner asks a few questions about the topic. (maximum time: 1 minute) |
| Task 3 - Talk | The candidate gives a talk about the value and significance of two small objects or pictures they bring to the exam room. (maximum time: 2 minutes) The examiner asks a ew questions about the objects or pictures. (maximum time: 1 minute) |
| Exam Duration | 12 minutes |
| Task 1 -Conversation | The candidate engages in a brief conversation led by the examiner on one or two of the following topics (the examiner chooses the topic(s)): ◗ Their journey that day ◗ Their favourite place to visit ◗ The weather that day/week ◗ The area where they live (maximum time: 1 minute) |
| Task 2 - Talk | The candidate gives a talk about one of the following topics: ◗ ‘Why I love this book’ ◗ ‘Why I love this film’ ◗ ‘Why I love this TV programme’ ◗ ‘Why I love this play’ (maximum time: 4 minutes) The examiner engages the candidate in a conversation to gather further information on the topic. (maximum time: 1 minute) |
| Task 3 - Talk | The candidate gives a talk describing the planning and preparation of a special event. (maximum time: 3 minutes) The examiner engages the candidate in a conversation to gather further information on the topic. (maximum time: 1 minute) |
| Exam Duration | 14 minutes |
| Task 1 -Conversation | The candidate engages in a brief conversation led by the examiner on one or two of the following topics (the examiner chooses the topic(s)): ◗ Their favourite time of day ◗ Their favourite subject at school ◗ Leisure activities they enjoy ◗ What job they would like to do in the future (maximum time: 1 minute) |
| Task 2 - Talk | The candidate gives a talk about one of the following topics: ◗ ‘Why I am concerned about …’ ◗ ‘What I would like to see more of/less of in the world’ ◗ ‘Why I think … should be banned’ (maximum time: 5 minutes) The examiner engages the candidate in a conversation to gather further information on the topic. (maximum time: 2 minutes) |
| Task 3 - Talk | The candidate gives a talk describing and recommending a place of interest. (maximum time: 3 minutes) The examiner asks the candidate questions to gather further information on the topic. (maximum time: 1 minute) |
| Exam Duration | 16 minutes |
| Task 1 -Presentation | The candidate gives a presentation that describes a personal interest, challenge or achievement. (maximum time: 3 minutes) The examiner engages the candidate in a discussion to gather further information on the topic. (maximum time: 2 minutes) |
| Task 2 - Presentation | The candidate gives a presentation to inspire participation in an activity. The candidate should state who the intended audience is before they begin. (maximum time: 5 minutes) |
| Task 3 - Reflection | The examiner engages the candidate in a discussion about the presentations. The discussion focuses on how the candidate prepared for the presentations and how vocal skills were used to communicate ideas, including the use of pause, emphasis and variations in phrasing and pace. (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Exam Duration | 16 minutes |
| Task 1 -Presentation | The candidate gives a presentation that describes a personal interest, challenge or achievement. (maximum time: 3 minutes) The examiner engages the candidate in a discussion to gather further information on the topic. (maximum time: 2 minutes) |
| Task 2 - Presentation | The candidate gives a presentation to inspire participation in an activity. The candidate should state who the intended audience is before they begin. (maximum time: 5 minutes) |
| Task 3 - Reflection | The examiner engages the candidate in a discussion about the presentations. The discussion focuses on how the candidate prepared for the presentations and how vocal skills were used to communicate ideas, including the use of pause, emphasis and variations in phrasing and pace. (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Exam Duration | 18 minutes |
| Task 1 -Presentation | The candidate gives a presentation in support of a particular cause or charity. The candidate should state who the intended audience is before they begin. (maximum time: 4 minutes) The examiner engages the candidate in a discussion to gather further information on the topic. (maximum time: 2 minute) |
| Task 2 - Presentation | The candidate delivers a current news story as if for radio, podcast or TV. (maximum time: 4 minutes) The examiner asks questions from the perspective of different audiences. (maximum time: 2 minutes) |
| Task 3 - Reflection | The examiner engages the candidate in a discussion about the preparation and delivery of the presentation and the news story. The discussion focuses on how the candidate prepared for the tasks and how vocal and physical skills were used to communicate ideas, including the use of pause, emphasis, variations in phrasing and pace, and the use of space. (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Exam Duration | 20 minutes |
| Task 1 -Presentation | The candidate gives a presentation on an idea for a business enterprise, social event or creative endeavour to an imagined, defined audience of at least 20 people. The candidate should state who the intended audience is before they begin. (maximum time: 5 minutes) The examiner engages the candidate in a discussion that explores the purpose and the planning of the topic presented and its possible impact. (maximum time: 2 minutes) |
| Task 2 - Key Skills | The candidate presents a prepared CV for a job or training course/opportunity. The candidate should state the title of the job, course or work experience placement. The role should be relevant to the candidate’s own interests, experience and aspirations. The examiner asks interview questions related to the role. (maximum time: 7 minutes) |
| Task 3 - Key Skills | The candidate discusses with the examiner the content and delivery of the text of a speech provided by the examiner 15 minutes before the exam. (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Exam Duration | 23 minutes |
| Task 1 -Presentation | The candidate gives a presentation on a social issue to an imagined, defined audience of at least 20 people. The candidate should state who the intended audience is before they begin. (maximum time: 9 minutes) The examiner engages the candidate in a discussion including exploring alternative points of view. (maximum time: 3 minutes) |
| Task 2 - Key Skills | The candidate discusses with the examiner the content and delivery of an advertisement, the text of which is provided by the examiner 15 minutes before the exam. The discussion focuses on the methods and tools used to communicate the possible intended message of the advertisement to an audience, including visuals, audio, and the medium for relaying the advertisement. (maximum time: 5 minutes) |
| Task 3 - Key Skills | The examiner gives an overview of a social or political issue. A discussion follows in which the candidate expresses and explains their views on the situation. (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Exam Duration | 25 minutes |
| Task 1 -Presentation | The candidate gives a presentation to an imagined, defined audience of at least 20 people on an aspect of the communication process in advertising, politics or education. This may include a critical evaluation of communication tools such as: ◗ Styles of delivery ◗ Vocabulary ◗ Structure and meaning ◗ Audio-visual, imagery, sound effects The candidate should state who the intended audience is before they begin. (maximum time: 8 minutes) The examiner engages the candidate in a discussion about their presentation, including identification of and reflection on the range of communication skills used. (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Task 2 - Key Skills | The candidate gives a public address in response to one of three scenarios, the outlines for which are provided by the examiner 15 minutes before the exam. (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Task 3 - Key Skills | The candidate presents an overview of a contentious issue of their own choice from current affairs, social media or politics to discuss, and explains both sides of the argument to the examiner. (maximum time: 5 minutes) The examiner asks questions exploring the issues involved. (maximum time: 2 minutes) |