"79 each" was the old target for Superior English. Since 7 August 2025, Australia sets Superior per skill instead: Listening 69, Reading 70, Writing 85 and Speaking 88. That changes the strategy. Reading and Listening targets are now lower, but Speaking 88 and Writing 85 are tougher than before, so most of your effort should go there.
Superior English at a glance
The last column lists the biggest tasks for each skill, with their share of that skill from Pearson's question weightings.
| Skill | Superior minimum | Biggest tasks to focus on |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 88 | Describe Image (31%), Summarize Group Discussion (19%), Repeat Sentence (16%) |
| Writing | 85 | Write Essay (31%), Summarize Written Text (28%), Write from Dictation (23%), Summarize Spoken Text (18%) |
| Reading | 70 | Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks (25%), Summarize Written Text (23%), Reading Fill in the Blanks (20%) |
| Listening | 69 | Summarize Group Discussion (20%), Repeat Sentence (17%), Write from Dictation (13%) |
Speaking 88: Describe Image first
Speaking is scored on content, fluency and pronunciation. In Describe Image, Retell Lecture and Summarize Group Discussion, grammar is not marked, so a small slip costs little, while a long pause or a restart costs a lot. To reach 88:
- Start with Describe Image. On its own it is 31% of your Speaking score. About 25 seconds is enough for a full answer: 40 seconds is the limit, not the target.
- Start speaking as soon as the microphone opens.
- Keep an even pace. No restarts, no self-correction.
- Finish sentences strongly instead of trailing off.
- Use structures for Describe Image, Retell Lecture and the new tasks so you never pause to think, and fill them with the real content of the question.
Our guides to Describe Image, Repeat Sentence and Read Aloud cover the details.
Writing 85: accuracy wins
Writing is fed by four tasks: Write Essay, Summarize Written Text, Write from Dictation and Summarize Spoken Text. Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks does not count for Writing, despite its name. The quickest gains come from spelling and form: one sentence in Summarize Written Text, 200 to 300 words in the essay, every word spelled correctly in Write from Dictation. Grammar is marked in writing, so finish each essay with a 20-second article check: every singular countable noun needs a, an, the, this or my.
Reading 70 and Listening 69
These are lower than the old 79, but do not ignore them. In Reading, the two Fill in the Blanks tasks are 45% of the score, so a steady routine there does most of the work. In Listening, the biggest tasks are Summarize Group Discussion and Repeat Sentence, which means your speaking practice lifts Listening too. Daily dictation covers the rest.
A 4-week Superior plan
- Week 1: scored mock test. Record every speaking task and identify fluency problems.
- Week 2: daily Repeat Sentence and Describe Image recordings. Build your personal spelling list from dictation errors.
- Week 3: structures for Retell Lecture, Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation. Essays checked by a tutor.
- Week 4: two full mocks under exam conditions. Book the real test only when Speaking and Writing clear Superior in your mocks.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need 79 in each skill for Superior?
No. For tests from 7 August 2025, Superior is Listening 69, Reading 70, Writing 85 and Speaking 88.
What is the hardest part of Superior English?
Speaking 88. It depends on content, fluency and pronunciation, and Describe Image alone is 31% of it. All three improve with daily recorded practice.
How long does it take to go from Proficient to Superior?
It depends on your gap. Students a few points short in Speaking often get there in two to four weeks of focused practice. Check your gap with our score calculator.
Going for 20 points? Our one-on-one plans include 6 months of Score Guarantee support. See courses and prices or send us your scores on WhatsApp.