ASSESSMENT FOR CAMBRIDGE YLE TESTS
I. STARTERS
1. Listening + Reading and Writing
Reading & Writing Test (25 questions) 1 point per correct answer
Maximum score: 25 points
Listening Test (20 question) 1 point per correct answer
Maximum score: 20 points
Reading & Writing score (25 Listening score
Shield points) (20 points)
1 <13 <11
2 13-15 11-12
3 16-18 13-15
4 19-20 16-17
5 >=21 >=18
2. Speaking (4 parts)
Throughout the test candidates are assessed on their own individual performance.
The assessor awards marks by applying performance descriptors from the analytical
assessment scale for the following criteria:
● Grammar and Vocabulary
● Pronunciation
● Interaction
Bel
Vocabulary and
ow Pronunciation Interaction
grammar
A1
5 • Uses the vocabulary • Generally intelligible, • Generally responds
required to deal with all although some sounds appropriately to
test tasks. may be unclear. instructions, questions
• Produces simple • Has limited control of and visual prompts,
utterances but makes word stress. although some support
occasional mistakes. may be required.
• Generally responds • Is able to ask for
at word or phrase level support if required.
but may also produce • Often responds
some longer promptly, although there
utterances. may be hesitation.
4 Some features of 3.0 and some features of 5.0 in approximately equal
measure.
3 • Uses the vocabulary • Responds to
required to deal with • Sometimes intelligible. instructions, questions
most test tasks. and visual prompts,
although frequent
• Attempts a few support may be
simple utterances but required.
makes some basic • May attempt to ask for
mistakes which may support if required.
obscure meaning. • There is hesitation and
• Generally responds responses may be
at word level but may delayed or halting.
also produce phrases.
2 Some features of 3.0 and some features of 1.0 in approximately equal
measure.
1 •Has the vocabulary • Attempts to produce • Requires support
required to attempt the sounds of the throughout and often
some test tasks. language but is often may not respond to
• May attempt a few difficult to understand. instructions, questions
simple utterances but and visual prompts.
basic mistakes and • Hesitation requires a
lack of language great deal of patience of
prevent a listener.
communication.
• Responds only at
single word level, or
does not respond.
0 Performance does not satisfy the Band 1 descriptor.
SAMPLE:
Video: [Link]
The examiner’s comments: [Link]
Note: This sample test is designed for offline use. Teachers should only refer to
the scoring method and feedbacks on students' competence.
II. MOVERS
1. Listening + Reading & Writing
Reading & Writing Test (35 Maximum score: 39 points
questions) – From Part 1 to Part 5: 1 point per correct
answer:
– Part 6:
+) Questions 1 and 2: 1 point per correct
answer
+) Questions 3-6: 2 points per correct
answer
Listening Test (25 1 point per correct answer.
questions) Maximum score: 25 points
Shield Reading & Writing score Listening score
1 <18 <11
2 18-23 11-13
3 24-28 14-17
4 29-32 18-20
5 >=33 >=21
2. Speaking (4 parts)
Throughout the test candidates are assessed on their own individual performance.
The assessor awards marks by applying performance descriptors from the analytical
assessment scale for the following criteria:
● Grammar and Vocabulary
● Pronunciation
● Interaction
Vocabulary and
A1 Pronunciation Interaction
grammar
5 • Uses a range of • Is mostly intelligible. • Responds appropriately
vocabulary to deal with • Has some control of to all instructions,
all test tasks. stress and intonation questions and visual
• Uses a range of simple at both word and prompts, and very little
structures and, although longer utterance support is required.
there are some levels. • Is able to ask for support
mistakes, meaning is if required.
clear. • Responds promptly with
• Responds at word, only natural hesitation and
phrase or longer pausing.
utterance level.
• Can join ideas with a
range of simple linkers
(e.g. and, but, when,
then, because).
4 Some features of 3.0 and some features of 5.0 in approximately equal
measure.
3 • Uses the vocabulary • Is mostly • Responds appropriately
required to deal with intelligible, although to instructions, questions
most test tasks. some sounds may be and visual prompts,
unclear. although some support is
• Produces some simple • Has limited control required.
structures but makes of word stress. • Is able to ask for support
some basic mistakes if required.
which may obscure • Often responds promptly,
meaning. although there may be
• Generally responds at hesitation and pausing
word or phrase level but mid-utterance.
may also produce some
longer utterances.
• Can join ideas with a
few simple linkers (e.g.
and).
2 Performance shares features of Bands 1 and 3.
1 Lacks knowledge of • Sometimes may be • Responds appropriately
general structures; can difficult to to some instructions,
only use a few isolated understand. questions and visual
words. prompts, although frequent
support may be required.
• May attempt to ask for
support if required.
• There is hesitation and
pausing midutterance;
responses may be delayed
or halting
0 Performance below band 1
Pronunciation: If the candidate produces some language, but insufficient
language to make a confident judgement about pronunciation (e.g. just a
couple of words), the maximum score that can be awarded is 3, regardless of
quality of pronunciation.
SAMPLE:
Video: [Link]
The examiner’s comments: [Link]
Note: This sample test is designed for offline use. Teachers should only refer to
the scoring method and feedbacks on students' competence.
III. FLYERS
1. Reading and Writing (7 parts)
Reading & Writing Test Maximum score: 48
(44 questions) – Part 1 to Part 6: 1 point per correct
answer
– Part 7 has a maximum score of 5
Listening Test 1 point per correct answer
(25 questions) Maximum score: 25 points
Shield Reading & Writing score Listening score
1 <24 <14
2 24-29 14-16
3 30-35 17-19
4 36-41 20-22
5 >=42 >=23
WRITING CRITERIA
Writing Criteria
score
5 • Response describes a progression of events which are explicitly
connected to each other and
• Response is based on all three pictures and
• Minimal effort is required on the part of the reader to make sense of
the response
4 • Response describes a progression of events, some of which are
explicitly connected to each other and
• Response is based on all three pictures and
• Some effort is required on the part of the reader to make sense of
the response
3 • Response describes a progression of events and response
addresses at least one of the pictures
OR
• Response describes a progression of events and addresses all three
pictures but imposes a significant strain on the reader, who may be
required to read it more than once in order to make sense of it
2 • Response includes at least one phrase that is clearly
comprehensible
1 • Response includes some English words discernible by the reader
0 Question unattempted or totally incomprehensible response
2. Speaking (4 parts)
Throughout the test candidates are assessed on their own individual performance.
The assessor awards marks by applying performance descriptors from the analytical
assessment scale for the following criteria:
● Grammar and Vocabulary
● Pronunciation
● Interaction
Grammar and
A2 Pronunciation Interaction
Vocabulary
5 • Uses a range of • Is mostly intelligible. • Responds appropriately
vocabulary to deal with • Has some control of to all instructions,
all test tasks. stress and intonation questions and visual
• Uses a range of simple at both word and prompts, and very little
structures and, although longer utterance support is required.
there are some levels. • Is able to ask for support
mistakes, meaning is if required.
clear. • Responds at • Responds promptly with
word, phrase or longer only natural hesitation and
utterance level. pausing.
• Can join ideas with a
range of simple linkers
(e.g. and, but, when,
then, because).
4 Some features of 3.0 and some features of 5.0 in approximately equal
measure.
3 • Uses the vocabulary • Is mostly intelligible. • Responds appropriately
required to deal with • Has limited control to almost all instructions,
most test tasks. of word stress and questions and visual
intonation. prompts, and little support
• Uses some simple is required.
structures correctly but • Is able to ask for support
makes some mistakes, if required.
although meaning is • Almost always responds
generally clear. promptly, although there
may be hesitation and
• Responds at word, some pausing mid-
phrase or longer utterance.
utterance level.
• Can join ideas with
some simple linkers (e.g.
and, but, when, then).
2 Some features of 3.0 and some features of 1.0 in approximately equal
measure.
1 • Uses the vocabulary • Is mostly intelligible, • Responds appropriately
required to deal with although some to some instructions,
some test tasks. sounds may be questions and visual
• Attempts some simple unclear. prompts with some
structures but makes • Has limited control support.
some basic mistakes of word stress. • May attempt to ask for
which may obscure support if required.
meaning. • Often responds promptly,
• Generally responds at although there may be
word or phrase level but hesitation and pausing
may also produce longer mid-utterance.
utterances.
• Can join ideas with a
few simple linkers (e.g.
and).
0 Performance does not satisfy the Band 1 descriptor.
Pronunciation: If the candidate produces some language, but insufficient language
to make a confident judgement about pronunciation (e.g. just a couple of words), the
maximum score that can be awarded is 3, regardless of quality of pronunciation.
SAMPLE:
Video: [Link]
The examiner’s comments: [Link]
Note: This sample test is designed for offline use. Teachers should only refer to
the scoring method and feedbacks on students' competence.
