training for the SIELE 2025 test

What is SIELE?

SIELE was developed by the Instituto Cervantes, the Universidad Autónoma de Mexico, the Universidad de Salamanca and the Universidad de Buenos Aires.

An internationally recognized benchmark test, the SIELE is aimed at candidates wishing to enhance their language skills in an academic or professional setting.

Once the test is passed, the SIELE is valid for a period of 5 years.

The SIELE tests

The SIELE consists of four tests to certify your level of Spanish proficiency:

1. The reading comprehension test measures your ability to identify general and specific ideas in a given text. It also asks you to distinguish and match different parts of a text with missing fragments or words. It is presented in five sections, divided into 38 questions.
2. The listening comprehension test assesses your ability to identify ideas general and specific, while being able to infer implicit information. This test has 6 parts, divided into 38 questions.
3. The Written Expression and Interaction (expresión e interacción escritas) test invites you to write a text in response to a given short text. The first part focuses on writing a narrative text, while the second focuses on writing a text aimed at arguing and convincing.
4. The oral expression and interaction test (expresión e interacción orales (EIO is divided into 5 parts during which you are asked to introduce yourself and talk about yourself, describe an image, participate in a simulation based on a given situation, express your opinion and argue for or against a specific subject.

Each test uses at least three language variants of Spanish to reflect the diverse realities of the Ibero-American world. The first parts of the exam use a neutral version of the language, and then, gradually, other language variants are introduced. The level of difficulty increases progressively to accurately assess your level (from A1 to C1) according to the criteria of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR).

What you need to know:

The SIELE is a modular exam: you have the option of taking the entire exam (SIELE Global) or choosing from one of the five sections (S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5). Each section includes a combination of tests based on the skills you wish to certify.

If you choose to only take certain sections of the SIELE, you will receive a certificate of results corresponding only to the tests taken.

This certificate is also valid for a period of 5 years.

Understanding the notation

Each SIELE test is marked out of 250 points, giving a maximum total of 1,000 points for the entire exam.

The reading and listening comprehension tests consist of closed, single-choice questions with only one correct answer. The questions are automatically graded, and the final score is calculated by converting the number of correct answers into a mark out of 250 using the following formula: (number of correct answers x 250) / number of questions. An incorrect answer is worth 0 points.

The written and oral expression and interaction tests include open-ended questions, and answers may therefore vary from one candidate to another. These tests are assessed by examiners trained and authorized to administer the SIELE. Grading is carried out according to an assessment grid, with several specific criteria. The assessment grids are previously defined and validated by experts from SIELE partner institutions. For each criterion, examiners award between 0 and 5 points, and these scores are then weighted to obtain a final score out of 250 points for each test.

The SIELE awards a score of up to 250 points per test, which it then converts to a CEFR level. Equivalence with CEFR levels is based on the average of the scores obtained in each test, not on the total score.

Here is the equivalence grid between SIELE scores and CECRL levels:

At the end of the test, and within a maximum of 3 weeks, you will receive the results of each test, along with their total score. You will be sent an email informing you of the availability of your results on the SIELE website, where you can download your certificate in digital format.

How to train for the SIELE?

Preparing well for the SIELE begins with a good understanding of how the test is conducted and the specific expectations for each test.

To improve your English, regularly read a variety of content in Spanish: press articles, recipes, instructions, stories, etc. Also expose yourself as much as possible to the spoken language: podcasts, videos, radio broadcasts, etc. This will allow you to better understand the different accents, registers, and sentence structures.

PrepMyFuture offers unique online preparation, based on recent official practice tests to maximize your chances of success. Discover SIELE S (oral expression) test preparation and SIELE L (reading comprehension) test preparation to maximize your chances of success.

How to register for the exam?

To register for the exam, the candidate must log on to the official website ( https://siele.org/en/home ) and follow the following five steps:

1. selection of the country where to take the exam
2. selection of the type of exam (SIELE Global or separate tests)
3. choice of date and examination center
4. recording of your personal data
5. registration confirmation

Important: On the day of the exam, the candidate must have the same official ID document as the one used during registration.

Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive an official invitation indicating the date, time, location of the chosen test, as well as the instructions to follow on the day of the test.

Where to take the test?

The SIELE can be taken at an approved testing center or remotely from your home. Depending on the testing center, they may offer you the option of taking the exam from home, provided you meet certain technical requirements and provide a suitable environment for taking the test (being alone, not having your phone within reach). Thirty minutes before the exam, these requirements will be verified by the center you have selected, and they will monitor the proper conduct of the exam via your webcam.

Why take the SIELE test?

Internationally recognized, the SIELE can be useful in many situations: to certify your level when applying to a university or school, to enhance your profile for a position, to enrich your international mobility file, etc.

Reliable, SIELE is supported by renowned institutions such as the Instituto Cervantes, UNAM, USAL, and UBA. 80 partner universities in 22 Spanish-speaking countries contribute to the development of the tests, their supervision, and the dissemination of results, ensuring compliance with high standards and guaranteeing a quality test.

Tips for passing the SIELE

The SIELE is a proficiency exam that certifies your level of proficiency in Spanish, so you can neither pass nor fail. The goal is to demonstrate your best skills and earn a certification that reflects your level of Spanish. To approach the SIELE in the best possible conditions, practice beforehand to familiarize yourself with the test formats, instructions, and time management. Once the day arrives, trust yourself and dare to answer even if you're not sure, as there are no penalties for mistakes. The SIELE values ​​your ability to understand, express yourself, and deduce.

And above all, don't hesitate to consult our tutorials, our free videos, and to practice with our official practice tests. It's an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the different SIELE exams.

FAQ

• How to register for SIELE?
• The SIELE rating
• SIELE rating
• What are the differences between DELE and SIELE?