A1 Ready: A1 English Test
Get ready for the A1 English test (Trinity GESE Grade 2) for a UK family or partner visa. Practise the 6-minute conversation with 24 speaking tasks, 40 examiner-and-candidate audio conversations, and 750 everyday vocabulary cards.
What the A1 English test involves, and why it matters for a family visa
A1 is the beginner level of the Common European Framework (CEFR). For a UK family or partner visa, you must prove A1 English in speaking and listening at entry and at your first in-country application. The most common test is Trinity College London GESE Grade 2: a single one-to-one conversation of up to 6 minutes with an examiner. There is no reading and no writing. IELTS Life Skills A1 is an accepted alternative. Always check the current requirement for your own route on gov.uk before booking.
What happens in the GESE Grade 2 exam?
The examiner talks with you about everyday A1 topics such as your home, your family, your pets and your personal possessions, and you answer in simple sentences. At Grade 2 there is one thing many people forget: you must ask the examiner at least one simple question yourself. You are graded A, B, C or D, and grade C or above is a pass. For the visa you only need to pass at A1.
How does A1 Ready help you prepare?
A1 Ready is built around the way this exam actually works: a short spoken conversation. You practise with:
- Speaking: 24 tasks based on real exam questions. Record your answer privately on your device, compare it with a model answer, and self-check against a simple rubric, including the question you must ask the examiner.
- Listen and repeat: 40 examiner-and-candidate conversations with clear British-English audio, so you get used to the questions and can shadow natural answers line by line.
- Vocabulary: 750 everyday A1 words by topic, each with a simple meaning and an example sentence, learned with flashcards.
- Exam guide: the format, the grading and the topics, explained simply, with the official source.
Everything works offline after the first download, and your recordings never leave your device.
When do you need A1, A2, B1 or B2 English?
The English requirement rises as you move through the UK immigration routes: A1 for a family or partner visa at entry, A2 for the extension, and for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) B1 for applications before 26 March 2027 or B2 from 26 March 2027. A1 Ready covers the first step; check the current requirement for your route on gov.uk.
Built for a 6-minute spoken exam
Practise speaking out loud
Record your answer to 24 real exam-style questions, privately on your device, then compare with a model answer and a self-check rubric. Nothing is uploaded.
40 conversations with audio
Hear real examiner and candidate voices in clear British English, then say it aloud line by line to build confidence for the conversation.
750 everyday A1 words
Learn the words the exam expects, from home and family to pets, numbers and colours, each with a simple meaning and an example sentence.
The question you must ask
Grade 2 requires you to ask the examiner a question. A1 Ready models it in the conversations and puts it on your speaking checklist, so you never forget.
Know exactly how it works
A plain-English guide to the format, the A to D grading and the topics, so the 6-minute conversation holds no surprises.
One purchase, yours forever
A single one-time unlock opens every lesson, conversation and speaking task. No subscription, no ads, works offline.
What to look for in an A1 practice app
| Speaking tasks | 24, record + model answer + rubric |
|---|---|
| Recordings | Local only, never uploaded |
| Listen-and-repeat | 40 conversations, British-English audio |
| Vocabulary builder | 750 A1 words, flashcards by topic |
| Exam guide | Format, grading and topics |
| Progress tracking | Yes, across the app |
| Works offline | Yes, after first download |
| Ads | None |
| Payment | Free download + one-time unlock |
Where the content comes from
All A1 Ready practice content is original RiverMap material written to CEFR level A1. The exam facts (format, timing, grading and topics) are based on the publicly documented format of the UK A1 SELT and the official guidance on proving your knowledge of English. A1 Ready does not reproduce any Trinity College London or IELTS exam questions, sample papers, recordings or materials.
Last reviewed: 20 July 2026.
Common questions
Do I need A1 English for a UK family or partner visa?
Yes. For a UK family or partner visa you must prove English at CEFR A1 in speaking and listening at entry and at your first in-country application. The extension needs A2, and settlement (ILR) needs B1 for applications before 26 March 2027 or B2 from then. Check the current requirement for your route on gov.uk.
What is Trinity GESE Grade 2?
GESE Grade 2 is the A1-level Graded Examination in Spoken English from Trinity College London, one of the approved A1 tests for UK family visas. It is a single one-to-one conversation of up to 6 minutes with an examiner, testing speaking and listening only. You must also ask the examiner a simple question. It is graded A to D, and grade C or above is a pass.
Do I have to record my voice, and is it private?
The speaking tasks let you record yourself so you can compare with a model answer, but the recording stays on your device and is never uploaded. There is no speech recognition and no account. You can also just read the model answers if you prefer not to record.
What is free and what do I pay for?
You can download the app and try it for free. A single one-time purchase unlocks all 40 conversations, all 24 speaking tasks and the full 750-word vocabulary library. There is no subscription.
Is this an official Trinity or government app?
No. A1 Ready is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Trinity College London, IELTS, UK Visas and Immigration or any government body. All content is original, and practising in the app does not replace an approved English test.
Does the app work offline?
Yes. After the first download the lessons, conversations and audio work offline, so you can practise on the commute or anywhere without a connection.
Walk in ready for your A1 conversation.
Free to download. One purchase for everything else. No subscription.