The four approved providers
Each provider sells two kinds of test: short speaking-and-listening tests for the family and settlement routes, and four-skills tests for work and study. For settlement only speaking and listening count, so the first kind is what matters here.
| Trinity College London | IELTS SELT Consortium | LanguageCert | Pearson | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking and listening tests | GESE Grades 2, 3, 5 (A1, A2, B1); Grade 7 (B2) announced for late 2026 | IELTS Life Skills A1, A2, B1 | International ESOL SELT A1, A2, B1 | PTE Home A1, A2, B1 |
| B2 today | ISE II (four skills) | IELTS for UKVI, 5.5 in each component (four skills) | International ESOL SELT B2 (four skills) | PTE Academic UKVI (four skills) |
| Format of the speaking test | one examiner, one candidate, a conversation; in person or by video at a centre | two candidates with one examiner (Life Skills) | one to one with an interlocutor, computer-based | computer, speaking recorded and machine-scored |
| Length at B1 | 10 minutes | 22 minutes | about 20 minutes | 22 minutes |
| Price at B1 (UK, Oct 2026) | £160 | check IELTS | check LanguageCert | check Pearson |
| Result | a few working days | about a week | a few days | usually within 2 days |
| Marking of speaking | human examiner in the room | human examiner | human interlocutor and markers | software |
The B2 problem in one line
As of October 2026 all four providers test B1 speaking and listening alone, and none of them tests B2 speaking and listening alone. Trinity's GESE Grade 7 is the only such test announced. Until it is on sale, a B2 for settlement means a four-skills exam.
Why most settlement applicants choose Trinity GESE
GESE runs from A1 to C2 in the same format, so a partner who passed Grade 2 and Grade 3 and Grade 5 knows exactly what Grade 7 feels like. The examiner is a person in the room (or on a screen at the centre), which suits candidates who freeze in front of software. Trinity has more than 20 UK centres, many open seven days, and the price is fixed and published.
The disadvantages: Grade 7 for settlement is not on sale until late 2026, and GESE is pass or fail at a grade. If you fail Grade 7 you do not get "a B1"; you get a fail and £160 gone.
When IELTS for UKVI makes sense
If you already have B2 reading and writing (a degree, office work in English) and want a result that also serves a university application or a job later. IELTS gives a band score; for settlement only speaking and listening are considered and each needs 5.5. The disadvantage is a three-hour exam with a writing paper that a spoken-English learner has to prepare separately. IELTS Life Skills B1 is the speaking-and-listening alternative at B1, taken in pairs with another candidate.
When LanguageCert or Pearson makes sense
Both are computer-based with fast results and more flexible booking. Their B1 speaking-and-listening tests are direct alternatives to GESE Grade 5 for citizenship and for settlement before 26 March 2027. For B2 at settlement they offer four-skills tests only today. If either launches a B2 speaking-and-listening SELT it becomes a direct alternative to GESE 7; the GOV.UK approved list names the exact qualification titles accepted, so check it before you book.
Marking: human against machine
Trinity GESE and ISE speaking are marked by the examiner in the room. IELTS speaking is a recorded interview marked by a trained examiner. LanguageCert uses a human interlocutor and human markers. PTE speaking is scored by software. Candidates with strong accents often report that a human examiner understands them where software marks them down; candidates who freeze in front of people report the reverse. Know yourself.
Our view
For a partner, carer or worker whose English is spoken, wait for Trinity GESE Grade 7 unless your application date does not allow it. If you must test before Grade 7 is available and you have a degree-level habit of reading and writing, IELTS for UKVI. Otherwise Trinity ISE II, which keeps the Trinity speaking format you know. For B1, any of the four speaking-and-listening tests works; choose on centre, date and whether you prefer a person or a screen.