Structure and Ways to do VSTEP A2 Test
In Vietnam, there are currently 3 popular types of A2 English test. That is:
   • The VSTEP A2 English test is equivalent to level 2 for adults as prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training.
   • A2 English test according to the European Framework of Reference.
  • Cambridge A2 English exam according to the European reference framework, certified by Cambridge University, UK.

 

Depending on the needs and different subjects, test takers will choose the test format that suits them. In this article, BIET Language Center only talks about the structure and secrets of taking the VSTEP A2 test (level 2).

 

Listening Skill
Total exam time for this skill is 40 minutes, including 25 questions, 5 parts with different formats.
   • Part 1: You will listen to 5 short announcements or instructions twice and answer multiple choice questions A, B, C.
   • Part 2: You will listen to 5 short conversations twice and answer multiple choice questions A, B, C.
   • Part 3: You will listen to a longer conversation twice and fill in the blanks with no more than 3 words or 1 number.
   • Part 4: You will listen to a longer conversation twice and answer the questions.
   • Part 5: You will listen to a short talk twice and fill in the blanks with no more than 3 words or 1 number.

 

Ways to Do the Listening Section
   • Ways to do parts 1 and 2: Read each question and 3 suggested answers and guess the story's context before listening. Then, listen and choose the correct answer.
   • Ways to do part 3: Read the entire story and based on the information provided to predict the story content and missing words. Then, listen to recognize the words that need to fill in the blanks.
   • Ways to do part 4: Read all the suggested questions and answers and predict the entire content of the story. Then, listen to recognize the correct idea and choose the correct answer.
   • Ways to do part 5: Do the same as in part 3 above.

 

 

Reading Skill
Total test time for this skill is 40 minutes, including 30 questions, 4 parts with different formats.
   • Part 1: You will read a short passage and fill in the appropriate words from the suggested answers A, B, C.
   • Part 2: You will read the notices and explanations and match them accordingly.
   • Part 3: You will read advertisements and e-mails and answer questions according to the requirements of the test.
   • Part 4: You will read the article and answer multiple choice questions A, B or C.

 

Ways to Do the Reading Section
   • Way to do part 1: Read the entire passage and see which blanks need to be filled in from the suggested answers A, B, and C.
   • Way to do part 2: Read the notices and explanations and find the right information and connect them together.
   • Way to do part 3: Read advertisements and e-mails and find information that matches the requirements of the question.
   • Way to do part 4: Read, analyze and understand the questions and answers correctly. Then, read the whole article and find relevant information and choose the correct answer.

 

 

Writting Skill
Total test time for this skill is 35 minutes, including 3 Tasks with 7 questions.
   • Task 1: Building sentences with 5 sentences including suggested words but do not change their order.
   • Task 2: Write a note with the given suggestion with at least 35 words.
   • Task 3: Write a postcard with a given topic with at least 40 words.

 

Ways to Do the Writing Section
   • Way to do Task 1: Identify the subject, object, adjective, adverb and tense and then write a complete sentence.
   • Way to do Task 2: Start with Dear or Hi. Then, answer the information according to the suggested Whs-.
   • Way to do Task 3: It is similar to Task 2 but arranged by Whs- as you like.

 

 

Speaking Skill
Total test time for this skill is 10 minutes, including 4 parts.
   • Part 1: Greetings and introducing yourself. (1/2 minute)
   • Part 2: Social interaction: Answer the given questions. (1.5 minutes)
   • Part 3: Describe the given topic. (3 minutes and 1 minute of preparation)
   • Part 4: Discuss and give your opinion on any statement. (3 minutes and 1 minute of preparation).

 

Ways to Do the Speaking Section
   • Part 1: Answer questions related to individuals such as name, age, address, ...
   • Part 2: Answer questions related to family, school, friends, ...
   • Part 3: Use knowledge and experience to talk about simple topics given.
   • Part 4: Use your knowledge and experience to give your own opinion about a comment or a saying.

 

 

 

Listening skill
Part 1: 5 points.
Part 2: 5 points.
Part 3: 5 points.
Part 4: 5 points.
Part 5: 5 points.

 

Reading Skill
Part 1: 10 points.
Part 2: 5 points.
Part 3: 5 points.
Part 4: 5 points.

 

Writting skill
Part 1: 5 points.
Part 2: 10 points.
Part 3: 10 points.

 

Speaking skill
Part 1: 5 points.
Part 2: 5 points.
Part 3: 5 points.
Part 4: 10 points.