English Placement Testing By Pedram

What do English Placement Tests do? Tests the skills of a student to determine the level of English they belong in Prevents students from enrolling in a class they are not prepared for Keeps things fair

Who Needs to Take Them? All new students All students must test in basic skills if they plan to: Transfer Earn a degree or certificate Enroll in basic English or ESL Are undecided about their educational future Students exempt if they have earned an Associate in Arts or higher degree (from USA) or have completed English 1A

Which courses require Placement Testing? All ESL courses English 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, 100B, 160, 200, 150 LART 100, 170, 200 Reading 100, 101, 201, 202

Taking the Test Choose the tests you need to take Photo I.D. required- passport, driver's license, high school yearbook… (must be in English) Bring Social Security number No appointments available Must report minimum 30 minutes before test time Doors will be closed ten minutes before test time No one will be admitted late Must stay for the entire test time Bring several #2 wood pencils Students who think they have learning or physical disability should contact Assessment Center

…Still Taking the Test Computerized session Called adaptive testing “C.E.L.S.A Test”: Combined English Language Skills Assessment Not timed 20 sentence structure questions 20 reading comprehension questions ½ hour to take writing sample essay Source:

Interview With Bert Manriquez (Director of Assessment at DA) Q: What happens if you are unhappy with your test results? A: You cannot retake the test until 6 months later, unless you have a good reason for appeal (like felt sick or had family crisis on your mind at the time). Q: How many complaints have there been about the tests in the past quarter? A: About 3.

Interview With Bert Manriquez (Director of Assessment at DA) Q: What were the tests like before this system? A: Paper and pencil tests with scantron. Q: When did DA start using this new system? A: This past quarter. Q: Why isn’t the computer portion timed? A: No inherent reason why tests should be timed.

Interview With Bert Manriquez (Director of Assessment at DA) Q: So was there a time limit on the objective portion of the test for the old system? A: Yes. Q: Why for the old test and not for the new one? A: The computerized testing allows for the questions to be randomized, therefore no time limit is needed since all tests are different. Q: Is there anyone pressuring the students to hurry up? A: No.

Interview With Bert Manriquez (Director of Assessment at DA) Q: Why is the written portion timed then? A: Because after a certain amount of time has passed, the student isn’t exercising their skills; they are only re wording their work. Q: Who evaluates these essays? A: The English teachers at DA. Q: What if a student ends up in a level that is too hard for them? A: He or she can take a class in a lower level but only if they have never passed it before.

Interview With Bert Manriquez (Director of Assessment at DA) Q: Has anyone ever been allowed to take a class even though they missed it by just a little? A: Yes. Q: Why? A: 2 point error system: Pass/Fail Q: Is the MC or essay more accurate? A: Written, it weighs more too P F F P Error

Survey Were you happy with your English placement results?

Survey Is there anything about the test you wish was different? More Questions = more accurate The essay Essay question needs more time Do you think you were given enough time?

Survey Do you think the test results adequately reflected the level of English you think you belonged in?

Survey What was the best thing about the placement test? The essay It finished at one point Worst thing? Gave me a headache MC

Survey Do you think the test was administered properly?

Tips for Taking the Test Get a good nights sleep Eat well before the test Arrive prepared Don’t be nervous-as long as you do your best you will be put into the level you belong in Try taking some sample tests here: ment1/sentence1.pdf

Now What? As we’ve learned from the class book, tutees come in all shapes and sizes aka ages and ethnicities. Some have a hard time in the class level they were placed in and some not so much. It is our job to be patient, open, and understanding. Looking for strengths and weakness is an important aspect successful tutoring.

What can e expect in the future? More computerized testing? More time? More questions? Our complaints will determine the changes in the future. SO SPEAK UP