English as a Second Language

Placement Test User Manual

By: Mohamed Hasaballah
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General Guidelines: The test is intended for candidates whose first language is not English. It is a rather accurate method to evaluate a candidate's previous knowledge of English. The full test measures efficiency in writing, speaking, listening and syntax (including grammar and vocabulary). Each skill is evaluated independently. The test duration (excluding the speaking interview) is roughly 90 minutes. The test places candidates into 4 main categories: "Beginner", "Elementary", "Pre-intermediate" and "Intermediate or higher".

Course Book and Levels: Cutting Edge Starter Student Book and Workbook (Levels B1, B2, B3, B4). New Cutting Edge Elementary Student Book and Workbook (Levels E1, E2, E3, E4, E5). New Cutting Edge Pre-intermediate Student Book and Workbook (Levels P1, P2, P3, P4, P5). STAGE Beginner Elementary Pre-intermediate LEVELS B2 B3 B4 E2 E3 E4 P2 P3 P4

B1 E1 P1

----E5 P5

Logistics and Settings: Before conducting the test. Please make sure you have the following: a. Sufficient Candidate Registration Forms (Printable Form R). b. (If applicable) Sufficient Listening Answer Sheets (Printable Form L). c. Sufficient MCQ Test Papers (Printable Forms MCQ1, MCQ2 and MCQ3). d. (If applicable) Sufficient Writing Skill Assessment Test Papers (Printable Forms W1, W2, W3). e. A laptop computer and speakers. f. ONE Speaking Skill Assessment Test Paper to be used by the examiner (Printable Form S). g. MCQ Test Stencils (Stencil 1, Stencil 2 and Stencil 3). h. Pens or pencils. i. Print this user guide to be used by the examiner during the test. j. When testing a big number of candidates simultaneously, please prepare a timetable for their oral interview appointments. (10-15 minutes per candidate) Register each candidate as they enter into the test room into the Candidate Registration Form (Printable Form R). Keep the forms for later usage. Ask the candidate(s) to be seated and read out the following instructions in English (and in the candidate's first language if possible). You can also print out these instructions and hand them to each candidate individually or post them in the test room.

Instructions: The exam is in 4 sections (2 sections if listening and writing are not included). (If applicable) The first section assesses your listening comprehension. You are going to listen to several recordings and answer some related questions on the Listening Answer Sheet. The second section assesses your sentence structure, vocabulary and grammar. You will be given 3 pages of multiple choice questions to answer. Please write your answers in the answer-key margin on the right hand side of each page. (If applicable) The third section assesses your writing skills. Please read the instructions on your Writing Skill Assessment Test Papers and write in good handwriting. Grammar and spelling mistakes are penalized. The fourth section aims at assessing your conversation skills. An individual interview with the examiner will be conducted. If you have not been informed of your interview timing, please refer to the examiner for schedule. You are not allowed to bring mobile phones into the test room. If you have got a mobile phone at the moment please TURN OFF. Do not just switch to SILENT. Please ask any questions you may have now, as you will not be allowed to ask questions during the exam session.

Test Procedure: Give out the Listening Answer Sheets (Printable Form L). Ask candidates to write their names and ID numbers on their sheets. Ask the candidates to keep silent. Inform them that each recording shall be played only ONCE. Play the five recordings. When all five recordings have been played, collect the Listening Answer Sheets. Explain how candidates should fill out their MCQ tests. Give out the MCQ tests (Three pages per candidate MCQ1, MCQ2, MCQ3). In thirty minutes collect the MCQ tests. (If applicable) Explain how candidates should fill their Writing Skill Assessment Test Papers. Give out the Writing Skill Assessment Test Papers (ONE per student). In 30 minutes collect the papers. Instruct candidates to remain seated and make sure each knows the time of his/her speaking interview. Test session is completed.

Test Marking and Grading: Listening: o Zero to 5 marks = Beginner o 6 to 9 marks = Elementary o 10 to 13 marks = Pre-Intermediate o 14 to 20 marks = Intermediate or higher. MCQ o Mark all blocks using the stencils. Each block is divided into two parts. Whenever a candidate scores 9 or 10 marks in one part, you look at the next. When the candidate scores 8 marks or less look at the following table for placement.
1-5 marks B1 B3 E1 E3 P1 P3 6 marks B2 B3 E1 E4 P1 P4 7 marks B2 B4 E2 E4 P2 P4 8 marks B2 B4 E2 E5 P2 P5 9 - 10 marks Block 1b Block 2a Block 2b Block 3a Block 3b Intermediate or higher

Block 1a Block 1b Block 2a Block 2b Block 3a Block 3b

B = Beginner, E = Elementary, P = Pre-intermediate

Writing o To be assessed by the English language instructor and placed into 4 categories.

Speaking o According to the highest satisfactory answer.

Results: Insert the results of the four sections into the Candidate Registration Form. This document is then passed to the Recruitment Manager for hiring purposes or to the Learning Manager for course enrollment.