How our marking works
Last updated: 15 July 2026
What you get after a practice conversation
After each practice conversation, an AI marker reads the full transcript and gives you: a readiness estimate (ready, nearly, or not yet) against the B1 speaking requirements; feedback on four areas, which are communicative skills, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation; and a small number of moments from your own conversation, each showing what you said, what a strong B1 answer sounds like, and why, explained in your language.
Practice feedback, not an official result
Every score and estimate on Speak & Stay is practice feedback from an automated system. It is approximate, it can be wrong, and it is not an official result. It does not predict or promise that you will pass or fail a real test. Only the real test provider can give you a real result.
Pronunciation is approximate
The marker works from a written transcript of your speech. That is a good basis for grammar, vocabulary, and communication, but only an approximate one for pronunciation. We label pronunciation feedback as an estimate everywhere it appears.
How we calibrate
We check the marker against a private reference set built from the published exam requirements: scripted conversations written to be a clear pass, borderline, or clear fail on each area. Before we publish any accuracy figure, the marker must pass two gates: a stability gate (marking the same conversation five times must land on the same decision) and an agreement gate against human reference marking. These checks run automatically every time we change the marking system, and a change that fails them does not ship.
Why there is no accuracy number on this page yet
We only publish a number when we have evidence behind it that we can keep and show. Our calibration work is in progress, including blind rating by an experienced ESOL tutor. When the gates above pass, we will publish the results here, with dates.
If you think a mark is wrong
Every feedback screen has a "dispute this feedback" option. Disputed marks are reviewed by a person, and what we learn feeds back into calibration. You can also write to us at support@speakandstay.com.
Independence
Speak & Stay is an independent preparation service operated by Aldaim Digital Ltd. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Trinity College London, IELTS, LanguageCert, the Home Office (UKVI), or any test provider or government body. Nothing here is legal or immigration advice; for your visa or settlement route, speak to a regulated immigration adviser.