AEIS English: format and what's tested

The English paper is the part of AEIS that most decides outcomes — and the part international candidates can improve fastest. It tests vocabulary, grammar and comprehension, with a writing component at the secondary levels.

Vocabulary and grammar

Expect questions on vocabulary (choosing or using the right word) and grammar (tenses, prepositions, agreement, sentence structure), often in multiple-choice or cloze form. For students whose first language isn't English, this is where consistent, structured practice pays off most quickly — the rules and word patterns are learnable.

Comprehension

Comprehension passages test understanding, inference and vocabulary-in-context. The skill is the same as in any English exam: read for meaning, answer what's asked, and (for open questions) use your own words. Building reading stamina in English is the underlying preparation.

Writing (secondary levels)

At secondary entry levels, candidates write a composition. Markers reward clear organisation, accurate language and relevant content. This is where LearnUp's BLAST (vivid description) and SPARK (a story arc) help international students produce structured, expressive writing under time pressure — covered in our BLAST-for-AEIS guide.

Where candidates lose marks

The common gaps are limited vocabulary range, grammar slips under time pressure, and (in writing) thin or disorganised content. Because the maths paper is also in English, language work lifts the whole result. Note that AEIS formats are set per level and can change — confirm the current structure with MOE.