Hello Exam Seekers,

Looking for a placement test to assess the level of English of your students? Or do you want to know your own level to decide on a coursebook to follow? Be it for one or for the other reason, Cambridge has created their own placement test called: Linguaskill.

Linguaskill is a multi-level test designed to help organizations and individual teachers assess the English levels of individuals and groups of candidates (prospects).

It helps institutions measure a student’s level of English, progression over time, or graduation. It also ensures that their workforce has the skills needed to perform effectively.

Moreover, it helps test takers prove their English language level for graduation, study, employment, or measure progress.

It is powered by Artificial Intelligence technology which offers a complete picture of the candidates’ English abilities with fast and accurate testing. Within 48 hours, it provides detailed results – aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) – and clear individual and group reports.

TEST FORMAT

Linguaskill is a modular online test that assesses all four language skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. However, you don’t need to take/give all of them; you can choose the skills that you want to assess.

There are two options of Linguaskill, General and Business, which allows you to choose the language tested based on your objectives.

• Linguaskill General: tests language used in daily life. Ideal for university admission or exit, and recruitment for roles in a non-business-specific environment. Test topics include studying and working, making future plans, travel, and technology.
• Linguaskill Business: tests English used in a business and corporate setting. It is most suitable for recruitment in organizations where employees are expected to be familiar with the business language. Test topics include buying and selling products or services, the office, business travel, and human resources.

Reading and Listening:

• Length: 60-85 minutes.
• Number of questions: Variable.

As you can see, there is not a fixed number of questions because the Reading and Listening modules are adaptive. Each question the candidate answers helps the computer to understand their level better. That is, if a candidate gets a question right, the computer will choose a harder question. The test finishes when the candidate has answered enough questions for Linguaskill to identify their level accurately or a maximum number of questions has been asked.

• Reading tasks:
  • Read and select: Candidates read a notice, label, memo, or letter containing a short text and choose the sentence or phrase that most closely matches the meaning of the text. There are three possible answers.
  • Gapped sentences: Candidates read a sentence with a missing word (gap) and choose the correct word to fill the gap. There are three or four choices for each gap.
  • Multiple-choice gap-fill: Candidates choose the right word or phrase to fill the gaps in a text. There are three or four choices for each gap.
  • Open gap-fill: Candidates read a short text in which there are some missing words (gaps) and write in the missing word in each gap.
  • Extended reading: Candidates read a longer text and answer a series of multiple-choice questions. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text.

• Listening Tasks:
  • Listen and select: Candidates listen to a short audio recording and answer a multiple-choice question with three options.
  • Extended listening: Candidates listen to a longer recording and answer a series of multiple-choice questions based on it. The questions are in the same order as the information they hear in the recording.

Writing:

• Length: 45 minutes.
• Number of questions: 2 parts.

The Writing module asks candidates to input answers using a computer keyboard. Answers are marked automatically by the computer which uses innovative automarker technology. Results will be available within 12 hours.

• Part 1 (Email):
  • Length: minimum of 50 words.
  • Marks: half of the final Writing result.
  • Content: candidates read a short prompt, usually an email, and respond to it using the information and the three bullet points provided.
• Part 2 (Long text):
  • Length: minimum of 180 words.
  • Marks: half of the final Writing result.
  • Content: candidates read a short text outlining a scenario and respond using the information in the scenario and the three bullet points. They need to produce a variety of text types (e.g. review, article, web post, a letter, or report).

Speaking:

• Length: 15 minutes
• Number of questions: 5 parts

The Speaking module is taken using a computer with a microphone and headphones. Questions are presented to the candidate through the computer screen and headphones, and their responses are recorded.

• Part 1 (Interview):
  • Questions: 8.
  • Marks: 20% of the marks.
  • Content: the candidate answers eight questions about themselves (the first two questions are not marked).
• Part 2 (Reading aloud):
  • Length: 8.
  • Marks: 20% of the marks.
  • Content: the candidate reads eight sentences aloud.
• Part 3 (Long turn 1):
  • Questions: 1.
  • Marks: 20% of the marks.
  • Content: the candidate is given a topic to talk about for one minute. 40 seconds are allowed for preparation.
• Part 4 (Long turn 2):
  • Length: 1.
  • Marks: 20% of the marks.
  • Content: the candidate is given one or more graphics (for example a chart, diagram, or information sheet) to talk about for one minute. One minute is allowed for preparation.
• Part 5 (Communication Activity):
  • Length: 5.
  • Marks: 20% of the marks.
  • Content: the candidate gives their opinions in the form of short responses to five questions related to one topic. 40 seconds are allowed for preparation.

RESULTS

Results are provided instantly for Reading and Listening, 12 hours for writing, and within 48 hours for all skills. With a computer-generated Test Report, there is no waiting for printed certificates or other documents.

Also, institutions have the option to allow candidates to view their results online. This means that candidates do not need to wait for the Test Report to be sent to them. Institutions have the choice of whether or not to make this feature available to candidates.

The Report will show:

• candidate’s Cambridge English Scale score for each skill tested;
• candidates’ Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) Level for each skill tested;
• an average Cambridge English Scale score and associated CEFR level, if more than one skill has been taken;
• an explanation of what each score means in terms of English language ability;
• whether the candidate took the Business or the General test.

There is also a group report, which breaks down scores by group and level, allowing easy comparison of ability across your organization.

WHERE TO FIND

If you are interested in using Linguaskill in your institution or becoming a Linguaskill agent, go to Cambridge Website and complete the form. If you are a candidate who wants to take Linguaskill, find a center to book the exam.

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Linguaskill can be easily administered and invigilated at any venue at any time. All candidates and institutions need is a computer, an internet connection, a microphone, and a set of headphones.

This is just an overview of Linguaskill. If you want some more information about it, check out Cambridge Website, or comment in the comment section below. I’ll be glad to answer your questions. I will also write about the test modules themselves with samples, just leave a comment, and I’ll do it as soon as possible!

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Have a great week,
Patricia Moura