PLACEMENT TEST
Test format and Specifications
Introduction to the Test
Test Aim
The aim of this test is to essentially gauge the test takers current proficiency level of
English, specifically their mastery of the crucial building blocks of language namely
vocabulary and grammatical structures. Crucial language skills namely reading becomes
the basis of this test especially in the context of English for General Purposes (EAP) as
well as English for Academic Purposes(EAP).
Test Objectives.
The test is administered to achieve the following objectives;
1. To define test takers range of mastery of the English language .
2. To gauge the magnitude of language comprehension.
3. To identify the range of vocabulary mastered by the test takers.
4. To identify the range of grammatical structures mastered by the test takers
5. To identify the range of language skills mastered by the test takers
6. To provide insights and guides for the commencement of a language proficiency
course for the test takers.
Summary of Main Language Component Tested
No
1.
Components Skills
Grammar
Grammatical structures
2.
Reading
Sub-skills
Parts of speech
Test Mode
MCQ
Skimming and scanning Depending on text MCQ
for information
genre
Read and understand
main ideas
Read and understand
supporting details
3
Vocabulary
Recognize basic words Affixes
and their meaning in Prefix
context
Suffix
Synonym
Antonym
Recognize words and Parts of speech
their word class
Understand words and Parts of speech
their
functions
in
context
Embedded in
cloze passage
and reading test
items
i
Knowledge Strands Tested
1. Knowledge
2. Comprehension
3. Application
4. Synthesis
5. Evaluation
Test Components.
A. Grammar Test
The purpose of the grammar test is to measure test takers’ level of English language
proficiency in mastering a range of grammatical structures pertinent to the basic and
good command of the language. Recognition and understanding of basics, intermediate
and advanced grammatical concepts, structures and eventually patterns are gauged via
discreet point grammatical test and contextualized grammatical test in the mode of a
cloze passage. The test also aims to gauge the range of test takers mastery in
understanding substantial number of words and language structures pertinent to the
conveyance of meaning by the respective sentences and cloze text.
Learning Outcomes Measured
Able to read and understand grammatical
concept
Able to scan for specific grammatical
structure
Capable of distinguishing one grammatical
pattern from the other
Able to scan for specific grammatical
structure
Capable of distinguishing one grammatical
pattern from the other
Grammatical Features/ Skills
Knowledge
Comprehension
Application
Analysis and Synthesis
Breakdown of recommended distribution of test items based knowledge strands
i. Knowledge and comprehension - 50 items
ii. Application and Analysis
- 10 items
Test Components
1. Fifty (50) test items with responses based on Multiple Choice Items
2. Ten (10) test items contextualized via cloze passage
3. Cloze Passage Text genre : narrative, descriptive, expository, news and article
ii
B. Reading Test
The purpose of the reading test is to measure test takers’ level of English language
proficiency in engaging in various strategies to achieve understanding and
comprehension of the various reading texts provided. The test also aims to gauge the
range of test takers mastery in understanding substantial number of words and language
structures pertinent to the conveyance of meaning from the respective texts.
Learning Outcomes Measured
Able to read and understand main ideas and
supporting details
Able to scan for specific information
Capable of distinguishing relevancy of
information
Capability
of making inferences and
predicting outcomes
Ability to read and analyze information
critically
Demonstrates summarizing and drawing
conclusion ability
Variety of language structures used to suit
the genre requirement of the writing piece
Accurate language structures used
Correct writing mechanics applied in
enhancing text accuracy.
A wide range of vocabulary used to
enhance the projection of meaning and
ideas
Words used in appropriate context
Reading Features/ Skills
Knowledge and comprehension
Application
Analysis and Synthesis
Analysis and Synthesis
Evaluation
Language Structures and Grammar
Vocabulary Range
Breakdown of recommended distribution of test items based knowledge strands
i. Knowledge and comprehension
ii. Application and Analysis
iii Synthesis
iv Evaluation
- 30 items
- 20 items
- 5 items
- 5 items
Test Components
1. Forty (50) test items with responses based on Multiple Choice Items
2. Text types : i- 4 non-linear text -signage
ii- 2 non linear text in the form of chart, graph or table
iii-1 dialogue text
iii- 4 linear text ranging from 350 to 800 words in length
3. Text genre : narrative, descriptive, expository, news article and article
iii
A Summary of the Test Components
No.
Component
No of Items
Marks
1
Grammar
(Discreet Point
Items)
i.50 Discreet point items
50
Weighting
(%)
50
ii. 10 Cloze Passage Test
Items
(out of 15 items)
10
10
2
3.
Communicative/
Contextualized
items
Vocabulary
(Embedded and
integrated )
Reading
4 signage
2 Non-linear texts
1 Cloze passage
1 Dialogue
4 Reading passages
4 Signage
2 Non-linear texts
1 Cloze passage
1 Dialogue
4 Reading Texts
Total
(Embedded and
integrated )
40
50
100
100 %
Recommended Aggregated Scores for Proficiency Band
Band
6
5
4
3
2
1
Description
Excellent
Good
Intermediate
Modest
Poor
Extremely Poor User
Weighting
90 -100
70-89
50 -69
36 - 49
20 -35
Below 20
Rating
Band 5 & 6 - exempted from taking Basic English Skills I & II
Band 4
- exempted from taking Basic Skill English I
Band 1 – 3 - required to take Basic English Skill I & II
iv
List of English Courses





Basic English Skill I
Basic English Skill II
English For General Purposes
English For Academic Purpose
Communication For Workplace
Basic Major English Subjects
1
2
3
4
Bachelor of Information
Technology (Hons)
Bachelor of Information
Technology in System
Development and Administration
(Hons)
Bachelor of Information
Technology in Management
Information System (Hons)
Diploma in Business Information
System
LENG1013 English for General Purposes
LENG1023 English for Academic Purposes
LENG1033 Communication for the
Workplace
LENG1013 English for General Purposes
LENG1023 English for Academic Purposes
LENG1033 Communication for the
Workplace
LENG1013 English for General Purposes
LENG1023 English for Academic Purposes
LENG1033 Communication for the
Workplace
LENG1013 English for General Purposes
LENG1023 English for Academic Purposes
LENG1033 Communication for the
Workplace
LENG1013 English for General Purposes
5
Diploma in Information
Technology
LENG1023 English for Academic Purposes
LENG1033 Communication for the
Workplace
SEMESTER
1
SEMESTER
2
SEMESTER
1
SEMESTER
2
SEMESTER
1
SEMESTER
2
SEMESTER
1
SEMESTER
1
SEMESTER
2
SEMESTER
3
v