6.2 Test Content

The test should consist of five parts, each of which will include a variety of item and task types.

Test Part	Title	Weighting
1	Listening	10%
2	Reading	10%
3	Language Use	30%
4	Mediation	25%
5	Writing	25%

6.2.1 Part 1: Listening

Trainees will listen to at least two passages which will be representative of the text types and topics specified in the syllabus for Year 1. They will be expected to employ the listening skills specified in the syllabus, which can be divided into three main categories: understanding gist, understanding details, and identifying specific information.

The passages should be recorded in clearly articulated speech and standard accent. Each text is heard twice and should last no longer than 2 minutes.

Main Focus	Item Type
Understanding gist	Multiple-choice Matching ‘True/False’
Understanding details	Multiple-choice Matching Sentence completion ‘True/False’
Identifying specific information	Labelling Following a route on a map Filling in a table/chart Sorting events, names, objects, etc.

Trainees’ responses will be assessed according to an agreed marking scheme.

6.2.2 Part 2: Reading

Trainees will read at least two texts, which will be representative of the text types and topics specified in the syllabus for Year 1. They will be expected to employ the reading skills specified in the syllabus, which can be divided into four main categories: understanding gist, understanding details and text structure, and identifying specific information. The test will include at least two texts (500-700 words each) followed by different item types.

Main Focus	Item Type
Understanding gist	Matching Open-ended short answers
Understanding details	Multiple choice Labelling Cloze
Identifying specific information	Multiple choice Matching Filling in table/chart Sorting out events, names, objects, etc.
Understanding text structure	Gapped text Labelling

Trainees’ performance will be assessed according to an agreed marking scheme.

6.2.3 Part 3: Language Use

Trainees are expected to demonstrate their knowledge and control of the language system by completing a number of tasks using grammar and vocabulary specified in the syllabus for Year 1. The test will include two sections: Grammar and Vocabulary.

Main Focus	Item Type
Grammar	Multiple-choice Sentence completion Error correction Multiple choice cloze Word formation “Key” word transformations Open cloze Sentence formation Matching
Vocabulary	Same as for Grammar above

Trainees’ performance will be assessed according to an agreed marking scheme.

6.2.4 Part 4: Mediation

Trainees are expected to demonstrate their knowledge and control of the language system by translating a number of sentences or a simple text using grammar and vocabulary specified in the syllabus for Year 1.

Main Focus	Item Type
Grammar and vocabulary	Translation of sentences Translation of a text

Trainees’ performance will be assessed according to an agreed marking scheme.

6.2.5 Part 5: Writing

Trainees are expected to produce a text, which will be based on the topics specified in the syllabus for Year 1. Trainees are required to deal with verbal or visual input. They will be asked to produce a personal piece of writing (up to 200 words), a simple composition or a short story (up to 200 words). Preferably the test task should indicate the purpose, the audience and the context.

Main Focus	Task Type
Personal writing	Writing a personal letter/card/message/note
Basic academic writing	Writing a simple composition/short story