Hi everyone, Grant here from Kōjō Communication Academy 👋
In one of my earlier posts, "Understanding Your Versant Score," we explored what your score means and how it reflects your real-world English ability.
Now let's look deeper — what does the test actually measure?
When you understand why you received a certain score, you can focus on the right practice — not just more practice.
🧩 1. The Four Key Speaking Skills
The new 2024 Versant Speaking & Listening Test doesn't only check what you say — it also evaluates how you say it.
Its speaking criteria can be grouped into four core pillars:
- Sentence Mastery — grammar and structure in action
- Vocabulary — word choice, precision, and flexibility
- Fluency — delivery, rhythm, and confidence
- Pronunciation — clarity, stress, and natural rhythm
If you're using the Versant Pro Trainer app, your readiness score and practice stats already show how you're growing in these areas.
Kōjō tip: Often, the difference between good and great performance lies in just one of these pillars.
🧱 2. Sentence Mastery & Range
Think of this skill as getting your sentences to work for you, not just correcting them.
At lower levels, you're aiming for simple, accurate sentences. At higher levels, you're adding variety and complexity — while staying clear and natural.
Key elements
- Grammatical Accuracy – basic sentences are correct and consistent.
- Range of Grammar – you use modals, conditionals, and passives — not just "I do / I went."
- Sentence Complexity – ideas are linked with conjunctions and clauses.
- Consistency & Control – accuracy is steady, not hit-and-miss.
- Word Order & Structure – sentences sound natural to the listener.
Kōjō tip:
Take one short idea (e.g., "We improved our process.") and build it step-by-step:
1️⃣ "We improved our process last month."
2️⃣ "Last month, we were able to improve our process significantly."
3️⃣ "By analysing customer feedback, we improved our process last month and reduced errors."
You'll build both accuracy and complexity.
💬 3. Vocabulary: Precision & Flexibility
Many learners focus on how many words they know. But Versant measures how effectively you use them.
Key elements
- Range – use more than "good", "thing", "help".
- Appropriacy & Register – match tone to context.
- Collocation & Naturalness – say "make progress", not "do progress".
- Word-Form Accuracy – use correct forms (success / succeed / successful).
- Flexibility & Substitution – can you rephrase when you forget a word?
Kōjō tip:
When reviewing model answer transcripts in the app, pick one keyword that stands out (like evaluate, enhance, reluctant).
Say it aloud, then make a few quick examples:
"We evaluated the results and decided to enhance the system."
"We assessed the outcome and decided to upgrade the process."
You'll strengthen both vocabulary control and substitution skills.
🗣️ 4. Fluency: Flow, Delivery & Confidence
Fluency is what the listener feels — smooth, confident communication. And yes, you can train it.
Key elements
- Flow of Speech – speak in phrases, not one word at a time.
- Rate of Speech – steady and natural, not rushed.
- Pause Management – pause for meaning, not for searching.
- Chunking & Phrasing – speak in logical groups ("On the other hand...").
- Repair & Self-Correction – recover quickly when you misspeak.
- Discourse Markers – link ideas with "actually", "so", "however".
- Confidence & Delivery – sound relaxed, not hesitant.
Kōjō tip:
Record yourself answering a Part F-style question for 40 seconds.
Listen back and note every hesitation or restart.
Then try again — aim to reduce the number by one.
Small, measurable wins build momentum.
🔉 5. Pronunciation: Clarity, Stress & Rhythm
Your accent is not the problem — clarity is.
If the listener (or AI) struggles to catch a word, you lose points for intelligibility.
Key elements
- Individual Sounds – most consonants and vowels are clear.
- Word Stress – correct syllable emphasis (PRE-sent / pre-SENT).
- Sentence Stress & Emphasis – highlight key words naturally.
- Intonation – your tone rises, falls, or softens in a natural way.
- Rhythm & Connected Speech – linking and contractions ("what's", "gonna", "it's").
- Clarity vs Accent – any accent is fine if speech is easy to understand.
Kōjō tip:
Use the review page in the app. Listen to your own recording and check the pronunciation score breakdown.
Identify where points dropped (for example, "clarity" or "intonation") and re-record a single sentence focusing only on that element.
Improving one small habit at a time leads to clear, confident speech.
🌍 6. How CEFR and Versant Link
The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) provides a global scale for describing language ability. When your Versant result says B1 or B2, that reflects your real-world performance, not just a test score.
| CEFR Level | Versant Style Outcome |
|---|---|
| A2 | Can express simple ideas in familiar situations but often hesitates or repeats. |
| B1 | Communicates clearly on everyday topics, though with pauses or phrasing errors. |
| B2 | Speaks smoothly in meetings or academic contexts, manages questions with confidence. |
| C1 | Expresses complex ideas naturally and adapts tone or formality easily. |
| C2 | Communicates effortlessly and precisely across any situation or audience. |
When you focus on the four pillars — Sentence Mastery, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Pronunciation — you're working directly toward CEFR and Versant improvement.
That means no wasted effort, just targeted growth.
📅 7. Your Practice Plan — Step by Step
Here's a simple roadmap to strengthen all four pillars with realistic app practice.
| Week | Focus Area | Practice Task |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sentence Mastery | Use Parts C & D (Conversation & Passage Questions). Focus on making your answers one step longer than usual. |
| Week 2 | Vocabulary | Review 5 model answer transcripts. Pick 2 new words each and create original sentences. |
| Week 3 | Fluency | Record 2 × Part F responses. Re-listen and count fillers ("uh", "um"). Reduce them gradually. |
| Week 4 | Pronunciation & Clarity | On the review page, check where your pronunciation score dipped. Choose one weakness and practice 5 minutes per day. |
| Week 5 + | Balanced Practice | Mix all Parts A–F. After each session, identify which pillar needs most attention and set one improvement goal for tomorrow. |
Kōjō tip:
Consistency + Focus > Intensity. Even 7–10 minutes a day with a clear purpose builds lasting results.
🌟 8. Final Thoughts
Your Versant score isn't a mystery — and it's not a limit.
It's a mirror, showing both your current ability and your next opportunity.
Every small improvement — in grammar, vocabulary, rhythm, or clarity — strengthens your voice and confidence.
Keep training, stay curious, and trust the process.
Your English voice has incredible potential — let's unlock it together. 💪🎙️
Ready to focus on your weakest skill?
Open your Versant Pro Trainer app, choose one pillar, and start your next session.
Record. Review. Improve.
See you in the app — one step closer to your next score goal.
— Grant Prentice
Grant Prentice
Founder, Kōjō Communication Academy
Grant is a native English speaker from the UK with over 20 years of experience in business English training and Versant test preparation. He's helped thousands of professionals improve their communication skills and achieve their career goals.
🌏 日本語でも読めます — This article is also available in Japanese
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