Avant STAMPe Overview
Avant STAMPe is a web-based test that assesses language proficiency. It has 4 sections: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
~30 multiple-choice questions
2 prompts
~30 multiple-choice questions
2 prompts
Beginning the Assessment
- Your teacher or proctor will help you to log in.
- After that, you will complete a profile.
You will then see a screen with a picture of four animals – one for each section of the test. Your teacher will tell you which animal to click.
At the beginning of each section, you will see:
- Instructions. Please read them carefully. You also can listen to them in the testing language.
- Practice question/prompt. Do not spend too much time on this question. Remember that this is only a PRACTICE question/prompt, it does not count in the final score.
After answering each question, click the NEXT button on the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down, if necessary. After clicking the NEXT button, you will not be able to go back.
After the last question in each section of the test, a message tells you that you are done with the section. Click the button to select another section, then click the animal the teacher tells you to.
Reading and Listening questions are multiple-choice and are scored automatically. The test is computer-adaptive which means it will get easier or harder based on the test taker’s responses.
Writing and Speaking prompts will be made more or less difficult based on how well the test taker does in the Reading and Listening sections. Responses are rated by Avant Certified Raters who use a Scoring Rubric that lists the criteria for meeting Benchmark Levels.
Test Rules
Tests are taken in a proctored environment with no outside resources allowed.
- Do not click outside the test window. This is tracked and will log you out of the test.
- Do not use any support materials (e.g., dictionaries, textbooks, cell phones, apps, messaging tools, or translation aids such as Google Translate).
- Do not take notes (paper-based or electronic). Paper, pens, pencils, styluses, etc. are not allowed.
- Do not read/use any notes or support materials for your speaking/expressive responses.
- Do not communicate with anyone except the proctor during the test.
- Do not share test questions or prompts. Do not copy, print, or take screenshots of the test.
- Do not use violent, profane, or inappropriate language in your responses.
Reading Section
Number of Questions: approximately 24 multiple-choice questions
Average Time: 25-35 minutes 
Please read the instructions carefully. Click on the blue play button to listen to them in the testing language. Click the NEXT button to move to the questions.
- Answer the question.
- Click the NEXT button, in the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down, if necessary. After clicking the NEXT button, you will not be able to return to the question.
Writing Section
Number of Prompts: 1 practice prompt and 2 test prompts
Character Limit: Up to 2500 characters (400-600 words) for each response
Average Time: 15 minutes
- Please read the instructions carefully. Click the blue play button to listen to the prompt in the testing language. You can listen to the recording two (2) times. After two attempts, the button will become inactive.
- Click the NEXT button to move to the next screen.
- Read the entire prompt first. Click the blue play button to listen to the prompt in the testing language.
- Type your response in the text box. The test will auto-save it every 10 seconds.
- Click NEXT to submit the response and move to the next prompt. After clicking NEXT, you will not be able to go back.
Writing Section Tips:
- Read the entire prompt first.
- Write in the language you are testing.
- Use complete sentences.
- Write as much as you can. Include as many details as possible.
- Organize your thoughts.
Listening Section
Number of Questions: approximately 24 multiple-choice questions
Average Time: 25-35 minutes
Please read the instructions carefully. Click on the blue play button to listen to them in the testing language. Click the NEXT button to move to the questions.
- Click the blue play button to listen to the recording and question, which will play twice. You can click the blue play button only two (2) times.
- Answer the question.
- Click the NEXT button, in the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down, if necessary. After clicking the NEXT button, you will not be able to return to the question.
Speaking Section
Number of Prompts: 1 practice prompt and 2 test prompts
Recording Time Limit: You will have three (3) minutes of recording time for each Speaking response
Average Time: 15 minutes
Please read the instructions carefully. Click on the blue play button to listen to them in the testing language. Click the NEXT button to move to the next screen.
- Please read the instructions carefully. Click the blue play button to listen to the prompt in the testing language. You can listen to the recording two (2) times. After two attempts, the button will become inactive.
- Click “Begin Recording” to record your response.
- Click “Stop Recording” when you are finished.
- Click “Listen” to play your recording.
- Click the + Add if you want to add to your recording. You can add to your response ONLY ONE time, if needed.
- Click on the Re-Record if you want to delete your response and re-record it. You have ONLY ONE chance to re-record your response, if needed.
- Click the NEXT button to submit your response. After clicking NEXT, you will not be able to go back.
Speaking Section Tips:
- Read the entire prompt first.
- Speak in the language you are testing.
- Use complete sentences.
- Say as much as you can. Include as many details as possible.
- Organize your thoughts.
Resuming the Assessment
If you get logged out, log back in with the same Test Code, Password, and Login Name. The test will take you to the section where you left off. Contact your proctor or teacher for help:
- Click Continue Test after entering the Test Code and Password.
- Re-enter your Login Name exactly as you did the first time.
Finish all sections of the test until the test is completed (unless otherwise directed).
Completing the Assessment
When you have completed the test, you will see the “Congratulations! You have completed the test!” message. You must finish the test within 90 days of starting it.
Getting Assessment Results
Test results are delivered to the testing coordinator after test completion. Test takers should contact their testing coordinator to receive test results.
Check out the STAMP Benchmarks and Rubric Guide, and Test Taker Power Up Guide to know what is required to achieve a specific test level.
Preparing for the Test
Avant STAMP is a proficiency test of what the test taker can do with the language at this point in time. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers, simply a demonstration of their skills.
To help each test taker prepare, we do have several resources to help:
Sample Tests
Shows what the test will look like and gives examples of Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced questions and prompts. It does not show the computer-adaptive nature of the test and will not give a score at the end.
Video Tutorials
Helps the test taker understand how to do their best and what to expect during testing.
Writing Examples
For many languages, we provide real examples of writing responses for each level. Test takers can compare what they know to understand what type of language is expected at each level.
Benchmarks and Rubrics
This guide helps to understand how the test is scored and provides question topics that might be used at each level in the Reading and Listening sections.
Assessment Results
After scoring is completed, results will be provided to the school or organization administering the test.
The report shows how your student performed in Writing and Speaking and gives an overall (composite) score.
For a detailed explanation of how scores are determined, see the Benchmark and Rubric Guide, which describes what is expected at each level. If you have questions about an individual student’s scores, please contact the school or organization that gave the test.
Understanding the Scores
The Individual Report shows the score earned for each skill, along with a Composite Score.
Score Pyramid
An inverted pyramid graphic displays each score. The filled section shows the level reached.
- For Writing and Speaking, an extra shaded area may appear if one response was scored at a higher level.
- This indicates the student may be performing across a range of proficiency levels for that skill.
Skill Descriptions
Next to the pyramid, you’ll see descriptions of the skill (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) and the level category (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced).
- If a test section wasn’t finished, this area will instead show the status: Not Started or In Progress.
Power Up Suggestions
On the far right, the report lists Power Up Suggestions—practical tips the student can use to improve and reach higher scores in that skill.