Test of Interactive English — Ireland's own English exam
TIE Exam Preparation, Without the Guesswork
The TIE exam rewards preparation: you choose the investigation, the book, and the news story you're examined on. Our TIE exam preparation — online and in Dublin — makes sure what you prepare earns the CEFR grade you need.
Fee
€120 adult / €110 junior
Length
30 min oral + 60 min written
Where
Weekly in Dublin (LPEI) or at schools
Results
~15 working days; cert 4–6 weeks
Grading
CEFR A1–C2 (+ grades), separate oral & written
Recognition
Accepted ILEP exit exam (Dept of Justice)
Your Logbook: Three Tasks Before Exam Day
No logbook, no exam — the examiner checks it on the day. Track your preparation here.
0/3 tasks prepared
Not sure what "good" looks like?
Members get worked samples of all three tasks — a full investigation, book notes, and a two-source news story — plus WTIE writing prompts, OTIE decision-task practice, and the exam-day checklist.
What Happens on Exam Day
Two parts, one morning: written first, then the oral interview.
Written Test (WTIE)
60 minTask 1
Prepared writing (~30 min)
Write about your book or your news story — whichever you did NOT discuss in the oral (you won't know which in advance). Two questions offered; answer one, giving your personal response — not a memorised summary. About 150 words (under 100 = "Does Not Fulfil").
Task 2
Unprepared writing (~30 min)
An authentic task from everyday experience — an article, formal or informal letter, report or review. Two questions offered; answer one, about 150 words. A paper dictionary (monolingual or bilingual) is allowed — bring your own.
Oral Test (OTIE)
30 minStage 1
Introduction — 3 min
Personal introductions and exchange of information. Spontaneous; both candidates take part equally.
Stage 2
Investigations — 10 min
Each candidate takes a long turn presenting their investigation, with questions from the examiner and the other candidate. Memorised speeches lose credit — the examiner will steer you off any script.
Stage 3
Book — 5 min
ONE candidate presents and discusses their book. The examiner decides who — so both of you must be ready for either topic.
Stage 4
News story — 5 min
The OTHER candidate presents their news story, including how their two sources reported it differently.
Stage 5
Decision-making task — 5 min
Spontaneous: using picture prompts from the examiner, you and your partner negotiate a decision together and present your conclusion with reasons.
Grading: TIE has no pass or fail. You receive separate CEFR grades (A1–C2) for the spoken and written tests, printed with the Council of Europe descriptors on your certificate. Most study-visa students need B1–B2; know your target before you prepare — see our for exactly what each grade requires.
How We Prepare You
The TIE's flexibility is a trap for unprepared candidates — and an advantage for prepared ones.
Choose winning material
We help you pick an investigation topic, book, and news story that show off your best English — not ones that force vocabulary you don't have.
Rehearse the interaction
The interactive task sinks most candidates. We drill turn-taking, negotiating, and decision language until the format feels routine.
Polish the writing
Examiner-level feedback on your prepared task and timed practice for the unprepared one, targeted at the CEFR grade you need.
TIE Exam Questions
Exam details verified against tie.ie (July 2026). Always confirm current fees and dates with LPEI when booking.
Preparing for the TIE?
Get expert guidance on your logbook, rehearse the oral, and sharpen your writing — before you pay the exam fee.