SIELE Spanish Exam Study Guide
Guide to prepare for the SIELE Spanish exam:
UPGRADE
If you need to certify your knowledge of Spanish, today we want to talk to you about a new option that the Instituto Cervantes has active, and that will allow you to obtain your official degree in an easy and agile way. It is the SIELE exam, which can be a very interesting option.
Who is this test for?
The SIELE is aimed at all those who wish to prove their command of the Spanish language to academic institutions, companies and public administrations, whether they have Spanish as a foreign, second or mother tongue. It is designed for young people and adults, it is an option especially suitable for people who need a quick accreditation for their admission to a university or the application for a new job.
The same Instituto Cervantes indicates that it is the International Service for the Evaluation of the Spanish Language, a service for evaluating and certifying the degree of command of Spanish through electronic means aimed at students and professionals from the five continents. It is promoted by the Cervantes Institute, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the University of Salamanca (USAL) and the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) , which guarantees quality standards and good practices in the preparation of tests , and the use of different linguistic varieties of the Hispanic world. In other words, it is a trustworthy and prestigious certification.
In addition, more than 80 partner institutions in more than 20 Ibero-American countries with active involvement in SIELE, which collaborate in research on the teaching of Spanish, support the quality of the content and provide innovative didactic materials.
SIELE exam features
It is a digital exam and, therefore, agile, of quality and with an international character:
- Digital because it is managed entirely electronically . The registration, the performance of the tests, the information of results and the obtaining of the Certificate or the Qualification Report work via the Internet.
- Adaptable because it adapts to the user’s needs. The candidate can choose between certifying their global competence in the Spanish language, or in the different activities of the language (reading, writing, understanding, speaking).
- Agile because it obtains its results and the Certificate or Report within a maximum period of three weeks, and because it works by an appointment system with the SIELE examination centers.
- International because, coordinated from Mexico, Argentina and Spain, it incorporates the cultured variants of the great linguistic map of Spanish. Each SIELE test necessarily combines a minimum of three different varieties of Spanish.
- Of quality because it is endorsed by prestigious institutions such as the Cervantes Institute, UNAM, USAL and UBA, which guarantee quality standards and good practices both in the preparation of tests and in their management, information and communication of results.
We want to help you so that, if you are interested in this certificate, you can obtain it easily. Therefore, today we have prepared for you a complete guide with all the advice that we have considered appropriate so that you can obtain your degree successfully. Keep reading if you are interested and ask us all your questions.
Structure of the SIELE Spanish exam
The SIELE diploma certifies the degree of competence in the Spanish language through four tests:
Reading comprehension:
This test consists of 5 tasks with a total of 38 questions . You will have to read several texts with different degrees of complexity and answer questions about them. The maximum time to perform this test is 60 minutes and its correction is automatic and immediate, having a maximum value of 250 points.
Auditive comprehension:
This test consists of 6 tasks with a total of 38 questions. You should listen to different recordings of various types (conversations, lectures, etc.) with different degrees of complexity and answer questions about them. The maximum time for its completion is 55 minutes and its correction is automatic and immediate, having a maximum value of 250 points.
Written expression and interaction:
This test consists of a total of 2 tasks where you will have to write two texts, according to the instructions and the texts that are going to be provided. The maximum time to complete this test is 50 minutes, having a total value of 250 points. The content of this test is recorded and subsequently evaluated by SIELE expert raters.
Oral expression and interaction:
This test consists of a total of 5 tasks where you must record your answers to different questions that you will hear, as well as make two oral presentations. The maximum time to complete this test is 15 minutes, having a total value of 250 points. The content of this test is recorded and subsequently evaluated by SIELE expert raters.
This exam obviously takes as a reference the levels established by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) of the Council of Europe.
What are the chances of the SIELE exam?
You have two different possibilities: you can take the full exam or by tests. The complete exam has a fixed and pre-established order of tests (CL, CA, EIE, EIO), with a duration of 3 hours and an extra break of 15 minutes. It consists of 4 tests that correspond to the four main communicative activities of the language. It takes 3 hours. Take a good look at the following table where you have everything well explained:
| Reading comprehension | Auditory compression | Written expression and interaction | Oral expression and interaction | |
| No. of tasks and questions | 5 tasks with a total of 38 questions | 6 tasks with a total of 38 questions | 2 tasks | 5 tasks |
| Type of questions | Questions formulated with texts that must be answered by selecting the correct options | spoken and answered by selecting the correct options | formulated through texts and answered in writing | Questions formulated through text and speech, and answered orally through a recording system |
| Duration | 60 minutes | 55 minutes | 50 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Grade Type | Automatic | Automatic | Manual by SIELE linguistic experts | Manual by SIELE linguistic experts |
| Maximum score | 250 points | 250 points | 250 points | 250 points |
| Results | Relative Relative to CEFR levels | CEFR | In relation to CEFR levels | CEFR |
You also have the four exam modalities that combine the different specific tests, you can choose to take one of them. In the following table you will see what they consist of and the characteristics that define them:
| S1: RC + OC | S2: RC + WEI | S3: OC + OEI | S4: OEI | S5 | |
| Report type | Report that internationally accredits the level of understanding of the Spanish language | Internationally accredits the level of literacy of the Spanish language | Report that internationally accredits the level of comprehension and oral expression in Spanish | Internationally accredits the level of oral expression in Spanish | Report that internationally accredits the level of understanding of the Spanish language |
| SIELE exam tests | Reading comprehension + Listening comprehension | Comp. reading + written expression and interaction | Listening comprehension + Oral expression and interaction | Oral expression and interaction | Written expression and interaction + Oral expression and interaction |
| Duration | 115 minutes (60 + 55 minutes) | 110 minutes (60 + 50 minutes) | 70 minutes (55 + 15 minutes) | 15 minutes | 65 minutes (50 + 15 minutes) |
| Punctuation | 500 points (250 + 250) | (250 + 250) 500 points | 500 points (250 + 250) | 250 pts | 500 points (250 + 250) |
| Qualification | Automatic | Auto qualification + SIELE qualifier | Automatic qualification + SIELE qualifier | SIELE qualifier | SIELE qualifier |
| Results | In relation to CEFR levels | CEFR | In relation to CEFR levels | CEFR | In relation to CEFR levels |
Differences between the SIELE and the DELE diplomas:
In case it is not entirely clear to you, look carefully at the following table before making a decision about the exam you will take:
Summary table of the differences between DELE and SIELE | ||
| Concepts | DELE | SIELE |
| Description | Diploma of proficiency in Spanish at a CEFR level (A1-C2) | Certificate of knowledge of Spanish on a scale of points with equivalences to levels A1-C1 of the CEFR |
| Ownership | Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Spain. The Instituto Cervantes has held the academic, economic and administrative direction since 2002 | Instituto Cervantes, National Autonomous University of Mexico, University of Salamanca, University of Buenos Aires |
| Start of certification management | Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Spain. The Instituto Cervantes has held the academic, economic and administrative direction since 2002 | Instituto Cervantes, National Autonomous University of Mexico, University of Salamanca, University of Buenos Aires |
| Start of certification management | 1989 | 2016 |
| Origin | Spain | Spain, Mexico and Argentina |
| Validity | Indefinite | Five years |
| International recognition | International recognition in regulated educational systems (for example, Brazil, France, Italy), institutions, companies, universities, etc. In Spain: Spanish nationality, MIR, FIR, etc. | International recognition of SIELE higher education institutions |
| Head of administrative and commercial management | Cervantes Institute | Technological and marketing company awarded: Telefónica Educación Digital |
| Recipients | ELE, L2 and L1, schoolchildren, youth and adults | ELE, L2 and L1, youth and adults |
| Form of administration | In exam centers, on paper, through international calls | In exam centers, on computers, and through the appointment system. Progressively some tests will be adaptive (CL and CA) |
| Exam center network | More than a thousand examination centers in more than one hundred countries on five continents. | Currently the network has more than 950 examination centers around the world. The incorporation of new centers is continuous so it is advisable to visit the portal http://www.siele.org/ |
| Integration of Spanish varieties | Yes, especially from B1 | Yes, mandatory, in the entire exam from its conception |
| Compliance with international standards in certification | Yes | Yes |
| No. of exams and levels | Six exams for adult audiences: A1-C2 Two school exams: A1-A2 / B1 | An exam for adult audiences in which tasks from A1 to C1 are integrated |
| Exam tests | Reading comprehension Listening comprehension Written expression and interaction Oral expression and interaction | Reading comprehension Listening comprehension Written expression and interaction Oral expression and interaction |
| Information about the result | Pass or fail on the domain of the level at which the candidate is tested | Result of knowledge of Spanish expressed on a scale of one thousand points with equivalence to the CEFR levels |
| Type of certificate that is issued | Electronic certification of qualifications with official validity Official diploma for suitable candidates | Certificate (complete exam) or Report (only some test / s) of results, depending on the contracted modality |
| Term for communication of results | About three months | Maximum three weeks |
| More information | http://examenes.cervantes.es/dele/ | http://www.siele.org |
How to prepare for the SIELE exam:
The Instituto Cervantes puts at your disposal material that can help you prepare very well for this test. Here is a complete guide with all the detailed features of this exam, which can help you a lot.
So that you can see what this exam consists of, we leave you a specific model that can help you prepare its different parts and when you face the day of the exam, and know what it is all about:
If you happen to be interested in taking a specific course , these are completely goal-oriented and can help you.
Anyway, as we always do, we would like to leave you a series of tips that can help you, to be practical and to prepare for your exam. We advise you that the first thing you do is get in touch with your nearest center, so that they can confirm everything and can help you and give you all the exact and precise information. In the following link you have access to the list of available centers , contact the one that is the best for you.
Tips for the SIELE exam
In addition to this, we have prepared a series of tips that can help you to prepare for this exam:
- Check your knowledge of Spanish. Do not forget to review everything you know, to prepare and read books in which you can review grammar and vocabulary content that is adapted to the tests and thus prepare yourself well.
- It is advisable to have an organization of work and time. You must be realistic , see how much time you have and from here make a study program to complete and practice all parts of the exam.
In addition to the above general advice, you must prepare the different specific tests that make up this exam, to which we also advise you to pay the same attention, for which we advise:
Production of written texts:
We advise you to write everything you can, it is the only thing that can help you. We advise you to be very careful with the spelling rules of the Spanish language. They would take it into account when evaluating your level.
Reading Comprehension:
what you can do to prepare for this test is to read as many texts as possible. You can take magazines, blogs, etc., whatever interests you the most.
Oral expression:
it is about talking, if possible with natives; practice is what will ensure your success. You have to make the effort and make the most of all the vocabulary that you have acquired in your readings, series, songs, movies.
Oral comprehension:
As it is about listening, we recommend that you listen to what interests you or like the most, such as music in German, series, movies, etc.
Books to prepare SIELE exam:
Recommended reading:
We are going to remind you of all the readings we have prepared for the different levels in Spanish, they can surely help you a lot: here you have for levels A1 and A2 https://elblogdeidiomas.es/10-libros-recomendados-para-a1 -y-a2-espanol / , for levels B1 and B2 https://elblogdeidiomas.es/10-libros-recomendados-para-el-b1-y-b2-espanol/ and for levels C1 and C2 https: / /elblogdeidiomas.es/10-recomendados-libros-para-el-c1-y-c2-espanol/
Inscription:
To enroll in your SIELE exams, the best option is to use Examenexam, the number one platform in the world to make your official online enrollments.
Results:
Within a period of no more than three weeks, you will receive a notification announcing that you can now access your results and the Certificate or Report of your tests. Both the Certificate and the Report include a description in Spanish of what you are capable of doing in each of the skills.
If you have taken the SIELE Global (the full four-test exam):
- You will receive a certificate, of international recognition , valid for five years, which includes a score for tests related to proficiency levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and a numerical score from 0 to 1000, which is the sum of the Scores obtained in each test.
- You will also receive a digital accreditation so that it is available for both personal use and authorized third parties.
If you have taken one of the independent SIELE modalities, you will receive a report valid for five years that includes the score obtained in the test or tests carried out and its correspondence with the CEFR levels .
