Prepare for your C1 English test (ISE III)

Make sure you’re ready to pass your C1 SELT exam with support from Trinity. We offer a number of resources to help you to prepare for your C1 SELT test.

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Book your C1 (ISE III)

Guides to help prepare for C1 ISE III SELT test

If you have a C1 SELT test coming up, you may wish to practice your English to ensure you are prepared for the exam. That’s why Trinity College London is proud to offer 1 exam preparation study materials and resources to give you the best chance of passing your SELT test. Our resources include:

C1 (ISE III) SELT preparation

When you’re waiting to take your C1 SELT you might like to prepare by practising your English language skills or see examples of the test that you’ll take on the day. You can explore our materials below to make sure that you have everything you need ahead of your SELT test:


Study help


Speaking & Listening activities 


Reading & Writing activities 


What happens on the day?

Preparation course providers

Trinity works with a number of Listed SELT Course Providers that offer candidates preparation courses in advance of their Secure English Language Test (SELT).

Find a preparation course near you

What happens after you’ve booked your SELT?

Once you’ve booked a SELT test with Trinity, you will receive an email from us with details about your exam. This will include: 

  • Type of test you’ve booked
  • Time and date of your test
  • The test centre your test will be at

When this email comes through, be sure to check that the details of your exam are correct. If you can’t find the email, please check your junk and spam folders.

On the day of your SELT exam

If you’re taking your SELT exam at a Trinity test centre, then it’s important to make sure you follow these instructions so everything goes smoothly on the day of your test: 

  • Arrive at the test centre* at the time given on your email - you will be greeted by your personal steward.

*Please note that only the candidate can enter the exam centre. Family members or other people are not allowed to enter the exam centre or wait in the reception area.

For more information about what happens on your SELT exam test day, watch our step-by-step video for Trinity ISE tests.

Frequently Asked Questions about C1 ISE III preparation

When you get to your SELT test centre, we will need to do some security checks before you are able to take your exam. You MUST bring the following with you for these checks: 

  • Your ID - the same ID you used to book your exam
  • Your test booking confirmation

Please note, if you don't bring these items with you then you won't be able to take your SELT test.

You won't be able to take any personal items into the exam room with you. This includes mobile phones, bags and headwear (unless worn for religious reasons). There will be lockers available at the test centre to store your belongings if you are not able to leave them at home. 

After the test you will be met by your steward who will explain how to get information about your certificate and results.

Within 21 days of taking your exam, you will be emailed your final result and your Diagnostic Report, containing your performance across all the skills tested in your exam. Upon receiving a passing grade, after receiving your final result email, you will receive a 2nd email within 24hrs from, 'Trinity College London via Accredible', with a link to access your digital certificate.

If you fail either or both parts of the exam, you will receive:

  • an Email confirming that you did not achieve a pass grade in all 4 parts of the exam and therefore you do not receive a certificate
  • a diagnostic profile report for each skill showing how you performed - this identifies areas for improvement 

To improve your skills use the information in the report to identify relevant practice activities in our skills development tables below. When you are ready, you can book to re-take your test.

See the ISE scoring information sheet.

If you passed both parts of the exam, you will receive:

  • an ISE certificate showing Pass, Merit or Distinction for each skill: reading, writing, speaking and listening
  • a diagnostic profile report for each skill showing how you performed - this shows you where to develop your skills in the future

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