STAMP WS Test Taker Guide

Also applies to STAMP 2S Writing & Speaking

The Avant STAMP WS language proficiency test is an online, semi-adaptive test. Test takers are asked to answer seven (7) self-evaluation Can Do Questions that best represent their skill/ability level in both the Reading and Listening sections. We use the self-evaluated reading score to determine the level of prompts we deliver for the writing prompts, and the self-evaluated listening score in the same way for the speaking prompts, thus making the productive sections more appropriately leveled for each test taker. Each test taker will follow a unique path as they move through the test. This gives you a more accurate assessment of your proficiency.

Getting Ready for the Assessment​

Image Advanced with caption
Avant Rules handout.

Download the Avant Rules Handout

To prepare for the test, do the following:

  1. Take a Sample Test to experience the types of questions and the assessment flow. You will NOT receive a score or experience the computer-adaptive technology.
  2. Practice speaking and writing to your friends using the language that you are learning.
  3. Review all Rules for Taking an Avant Test.

Beginning the Assessment

  1. Your teacher or proctor will help you to log in.
  2. After that, you will complete a profile.
  3. To start testing, you will have to read and agree to the Test Taker Guidelines (learn more about Rules for Taking an Avant Test):

4. You will then enter a Dashboard to begin testing. Like all STAMP tests, test takers will enter a Dashboard to begin testing.

  • Self-Evaluation Reading section has seven (7) Can Do Questions that must be completed before the Writing section.
  • Self-Evaluation Listening section has seven (7) Can Do Questions that must be completed before the Speaking section.
  • The Writing and Speaking sections will have three (3) prompts each.
STAMP WS dashboard

The following browser functions are disabled while taking the test: 

  • Right-click, back button, copy/paste. 
  • Off-page clicking is not allowed. Clicking outside the test will log you out. You will need a proctor’s assistance to log back in to continue the test.

At the beginning of each section you will see​:

  • Instructions. Please read them carefully.
  • 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.

Self-Evaluation Reading Section

  • Self-Evaluation Reading section has seven (7) Can Do Questions. Test takers should read each statement carefully and then choose the answer that best fits their ability with this skill.
  • Instructions and Can Do Questions are provided in both English and the testing language.
  • Reading section must be completed before Writing section.

1. Instructions are written in English and in the testing language.

2. Self-Evaluation Can Do Question The Reading section has seven (7) Can Do Questions. Test takers should read each statement carefully and then choose the answer that best describes their ability with the skill.

3. Answers Test takers should read each statement above carefully and then choose the answer that best describes their ability with this skill.

4. Test takers will have seven (7) Can Do Questions to complete. They will use the “Next” button to move to the next question. Test takers will not be able to go back to the previous question once they push the “Next” button.

  1. I can understand only a few very common words.
  2. I can understand some familiar names, words, and very simple phrases. For example, I can read and understand simple notes, memos, emails, and posters.
  3. I can read very short, simple, sentence-length texts. I can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material, such as advertisements, menus, and schedules. I can understand some short, simple personal notes and email greetings.
  4. I can understand very basic strings of sentences with topics relating to my surroundings (e.g., home, school and friends). I can understand the main points in short, non-complicated emails, letters, advertisements, announcements and some short stories.
  5. I can understand most main points in texts regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand the main points of most daily news stories and magazine articles regarding areas/topics with which I have an interest or some experience.
  6. I can read longer texts like short stories and simple novels and understand most of the main ideas. I am able to guess the meaning of many new words from context.
  7. I can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers state particular attitudes or viewpoints. I can understand contemporary literary prose. I can understand specialized articles and longer technical instructions.

Writing Section

Self-Evaluation Reading section must be completed before the Writing section.

Number of Prompts: Three (3) prompts

Character Limit: Up to 2500 characters (400-600 words) for each response

Average Time: 20-25 minutes clock icon.

  • Read the entire prompt first. 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.
  • Type your response in the text box. The test will auto-save it every 10 seconds.
  • Click NEXT to submit the response. After clicking NEXT, you will not be able to go back.

1. Test takers can read the prompt in English or listen in the testing language.

2. Test takers will write a response in the answer box. Test takers will have up to 2500 characters (400-600 words) for each Writing response.

3. They will use the “Next” button to move to the next prompt. Test takers will not be able to go back to the previous prompt once they push the “Next” button.

Writing Section Tips:

  1. Look for details to understand what the prompt is asking you to write about.
  2. Write in the testing language.
  3. Use complete sentences.
  4. Organize your thoughts.
  5. Focus on each detail of the prompt so you can demonstrate just how much you know! 
  6. Create a natural flow by connecting your ideas.
  7. Stay on topic and write at your highest possible level using a variety of vocabulary and sentence patterns. 

Self-Evaluation Listening Section

  • Self-Evaluation Listening section has seven (7) Can Do Questions. Test takers should read each statement carefully and then choose the answer that best fits their ability with this skill.
  • Instructions and Can Do Questions are provided in both English and the testing language.
  • Listening section must be completed before the Speaking section.

1. Instructions are written in English and in the testing language.

2. Self-Evaluation Can Do Question The Listening section has seven (7) Can Do Questions. Test takers should read each statement carefully and then choose the answer that best describes their ability with this skill.

3. Answers Test takers should read each statement above carefully and then choose the answer that best describes their ability with this skill.

  1. I can understand only a few clearly spoken words.
  2. I can understand familiar names, words, and very basic phrases concerning my family, my close surroundings, and myself, when people speak slowly and clearly.
  3. I can understand many phrases and commonly used vocabulary related to areas of personal interest (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, school, etc.). I can understand familiar short, clear, simple messages and announcements.
  4. I can understand very basic sentences with topics about my close surroundings like home, school and friends, when the language is clear and slow. I can understand the main point in clear, simple messages and announcements.
  5. I can understand some main points in a conversation about familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand some main points of many radio or TV programs related to current affairs or topics of high interest, when spoken clearly and slowly.
  6. I can understand longer presentations and discussions and follow more complex lines of argument, as long as the topic is reasonably familiar. I can understand most TV news and current affairs programs. I can understand most of the language spoken in movies and films.
  7. I can understand extended speech, even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not stated directly. I can understand television programs and films without too much effort.

Speaking Section

Listening section must be completed before the Speaking section.

Number of Prompts: Three (3) prompts

Recording Time Limit: Three (3) minutes for each response

Average Time: 20-25 minutes clock icon.

  • Read the entire prompt first. 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 a response.

  • Click Stop Recording when you are finished.
  • Click Listen to hear your recording and verify that the response was recorded properly.
    • 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 NEXT to submit the response and move to the next screen. After clicking NEXT, you will not be able to go back.

Speaking Section Tips:

  1. Look for details to understand what the prompt is asking you to speak about.
  2. Speak in the testing language.
  3. Use complete sentences.
  4. Organize your thoughts.
  5. Focus on each detail of the prompt so you can demonstrate just how much you know! 
  6. Create a natural flow by connecting your ideas.
  7. Stay on topic and speak at your highest possible level using a variety of vocabulary and sentence patterns.
  8. Avoid long pauses when you are recording.
  9. Do not write down your speaking response prior to recording. Doing this will lower your score and may even result in a ZERO because it involves the use of reference material.

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.

STAMP WS completed screen.

Getting Assessment Results

Test results are delivered to the testing administrator after test completion. Test takers should contact their testing administrator 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.

Updated: