In the O-Level and N(A)-Level English Oral, the examiners listen for two different things in two different parts. In Planned Response (15 marks) they listen for a well-developed, organised answer delivered fluently — 10 marks for the response itself (development, organisation, expression of ideas) and 5 for delivery (pronunciation, fluency, intonation). In Spoken Interaction (15 marks) they listen for a sustained discussion — your ability to take a prompt, develop a considered point of view, and keep extending the conversation, sometimes moving beyond the prompts.
Every mark is scored against the same six-band scale (band 5 down to band 0), and the descriptors tell you exactly what separates the bands. Here is what they mean in plain language — and what to practise to target each one.
Paper 4 Oral Communication is worth 30 marks — 20% of the total English exam — and takes about 20 minutes per candidate, including 10 minutes of preparation.
| Part | Marks | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Planned Response | 15 (Response 10 + Delivery 5) | Watch a video clip + prompt, prepare 10 minutes, speak up to 2 minutes |
| Spoken Interaction | 15 | Discussion with the examiners on a topic broadly related to the clip |
The two parts may be thematically linked — the discussion can continue the theme of the clip. The marks are scored on a 6-band scale (band 5 top, band 0 bottom), and both parts are marked against the same syllabus objectives: presenting ideas fluently to engage the listener, and engaging in discussion to communicate ideas clearly.
The Response half (10 marks): development and organisation of ideas, and expression of ideas. In plain terms, the examiners are listening for:
The Delivery half (5 marks): pronunciation, fluency and intonation. The examiners are listening for:
The 10-minute preparation is there for a reason: this part is a mini-speech. Plan your structure in the prep time, and the response half largely takes care of itself.
This part is a conversation — and the syllabus is explicit that examiners will not ask you about what people say in the video clip. It is not a comprehension test. The top band requires "well-considered responses with coherent and well-developed perspective(s)" and "a sustained discussion, sometimes moving beyond the prompts".
In plain terms, the examiners are listening for:
Three things students worry about are not on the score sheet:
| Band | What it sounds like in the exam room |
|---|---|
| Band 5 (top) | A well-considered, well-organised response; a wide range of vocabulary and structures; fluent delivery with varied intonation; a sustained discussion that moves beyond the prompts |
| Band 4 | A thoughtful, generally well-developed response; a good range of mostly appropriate vocabulary; generally fluent delivery; discussion that responds well to the prompts |
| Band 3 | Some development and organisation; some attempt at range; quite fluent delivery; discussion that develops with support and encouragement |
| Band 2 | Simple development; simple vocabulary used mostly appropriately; patches of fluency; discussion that needs support and encouragement |
| Band 1 | A slight attempt to address the topic; a few examples of simple vocabulary and structures |
The takeaway is consistent at every level: the exam rewards developed opinions delivered fluently — not memorised answers, not big words, not clip recall. The single skill that separates the top bands is the habit of never stopping at one sentence.
For Planned Response (15 marks):
For Spoken Interaction (15 marks):
If you want feedback on those recorded practice responses, OralCat's AI scores your speaking on fluency, pronunciation and how well you develop your ideas — instant feedback on the exact skills Paper 4 rewards, with the Singapore exam formats in mind.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Paper | Paper 4 Oral Communication — 30 marks, 20% of total |
| Timing | About 20 minutes, including 10 minutes of preparation |
| Part 1 | Planned Response — 15 marks (Response 10: development, organisation, expression; Delivery 5: pronunciation, fluency, intonation) |
| Part 2 | Spoken Interaction — 15 marks (sustained discussion, developed perspectives, moving beyond prompts) |
| Scoring | 6-band scale (band 5 top); same mark ranges for N(A)-Level 1190 and SEC G3 K300 |
| Not scored | Clip recall, memorised answers, perfect English |
| Biggest lever | Never stop at one sentence — develop every answer: view, reason, example |
Sources: SEAB GCE O-Level English Language syllabus 1184 (2026, © MOE & Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024); GCE N(A)-Level syllabus 1190; SEC G3 English Language syllabus K300 (2027, © MOE & Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025). Paper 4 of K300 and 1184 is otherwise the same oral paper. The 2027 G2 and G3 syllabuses (K200, K300) also state that the oral is delivered via computer, as it has been since 2023 (SEAB e-Exam resources). Subject codes: SEAB G3 Syllabuses for School Candidates (last updated 29 April 2026). SEC transition: SEAB SEC page (last updated 14 May 2026). The same sentence is in K100 (G1). SEAB publishes the code mapping in the 2027 syllabus lists, column "Subject Code for reference (2026 and earlier)": K300 for 1184, K200 for the G2 English Oral (SEC, from 2027; formerly N(A)-Level 1190), and K100 for 1195 (https://www.seab.gov.sg/secondary-education-certificate-sec/g3-syllabuses-for-school-candidates-2027/, https://www.seab.gov.sg/secondary-education-certificate-sec/g2-syllabuses-for-school-candidates-2027/ and https://www.seab.gov.sg/secondary-education-certificate-sec/g1-syllabuses-for-school-candidates-2027/).
Practise the Planned Response and Spoken Interaction on OralCat, and get instant practice feedback on your answers. It's a practice estimate, not an exam mark.