View Test Instances

Monitor Test Progress

Monitor Scoring

Download Results

Retakes and Resets

Spanish Heritage Language (SHL) Test Reporting Guide

The Avant SHL test results/reports logins can be used to:

  • View test instances

  • Monitor testing progress

  • Monitor scoring

  • Access and download test taker results (both summary and individual)

View Test Instances

To view test instances, follow the steps below:
 

Step 1: Access Report

  1. Go to https://app.avantassessment.com/login
  2. Enter the Test Code provided by Avant Assessment
  3. Click LOG IN
  4. Enter the Password provided by Avant Assessment
  5. Click LOG IN

Step 2: Filter and Search Test Instances

The Report Page allows Testing Coordinators to do the following:

  • Filter by Language
  • Search by First Name, Last Name, Login Name
  • Filter by Date
SHL-View-Test-Instances

Search by Login Name - Please note that Test Taker ID is different from Login Name. However, Test Takers can use the same combination for both Login Name and Test Taker ID. Some institutions have the Test Takers enter their student ID for one and their school issued email address for the other for data tracking purposes.

Search by First Name, Last Name, or Login Name - Use these fields to search Test Instances by first name, last name, or login name.

Filter by Date - The Date Range Filter searches test results by recent activity. To select a different date, click on the calendar to choose start and end dates, then, click APPLY and SEARCH buttons. There are also presets that can be selected to show the Last 3 Months, Last 6 Months, and Last Year of testing.

Monitor Test Progress

Use the screen to track test takers’ progress through the test:

  • Determine who has taken the test

  • Determine who needs to finish the test

  • Determine how a test taker’s Login Name was entered for those who need to resume the test

SHL-Test-Instance-List
Click the image to enlarge

The test taker has not started this section of the test. If all sections are marked NS the test taker has completed only the Profile.

The section is not started as the test taker did not score at a high enough level in the previous section. The system recognizes this low level and the test stops for this test taker and exits them from the test (Early Exit).

The test taker has started, but not completed, this section of the test. For the Writing and Speaking sections, click the IP to see how many responses have been submitted.

This section of the test is complete, but rating is not complete for one or more responses. Click the SP to see how many responses have been rated.

Raters were not able to rate any of the responses in the section. To determine the cause, click the NR to review the test taker’s responses. Possible reasons for “Not Ratable” Writing or Speaking responses include:
  • Non-target language – The response is not in the target language.
  • Off-topic – The response does not relate to the item topic.
  • Violent/Profane – The response includes violent or inappropriate language.
  • No speaking – A Speaking response was submitted, but has only background noise or is not understandable.

Monitor Scoring

  • Lexical recognition, dictation, partial translation, sentence completion, verb conjugation scores are available when the test taker completes each section.
  • Writing and speaking scores are typically available from 3 to 5 business days after test completion.

Read more about SHL Test design and SHL Test Section Descriptions.

Self-Evaluation Section

Upon logging in, the test taker answers a series of questions indicating what they believe they can do in the language across five modes of communication:

  • Interpretive Mode – LISTENING (Understanding Spoken Language)
  • Interpretive Mode – READING (Understanding Written Language)
  • Interpersonal Mode – SPEAKING (Speaking with another person)
  • Presentational Mode – SPEAKING (Speaking to another person or audience)
  • Presentational Mode – Writing (Writing to another person or audience)

Self-Evaluation score is available when the test taker completes the section. Self-Evaluation section score is not included in the Avant Score calculation.

Avant Score

The Avant Score shows an appropriate placement level for a test taker. The Avant Score is not a total average score. The Avant Score is determined by the calculation of scores from each section (lexical recognition, dictation, partial translation, sentence completion, verb conjugation, speaking, and writing).

Please refer to SHL Test Grades 7-12 Suggested Placement Level and SHL Test Higher Ed Suggested Placement Levels to see descriptions of levels.

IMPORTANT: An asterisk (*) displays to indicate that the test taker appears to be at the high end of the indicated Avant Score.

Accessing Writing and Speaking Responses

The Avant SHL test Writing and Speaking responses are evaluated by Avant Certified Raters using the Avant SHL Rubric.

To view or listen to the test taker’s Writing and/or Speaking response, click the score shown in that area of the detail report. The Writing response will be displayed. Click the Play button to listen to the Speaking response. 

Level Keys

Scoring is done using Benchmark Levels 1-7. The levels are associated with Benchmark Categories of Novice, Intermediate and Advanced as shown in the Level Keys below. The numbers 1-7 for Writing and Speaking relate to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in the following manner:

SHL Key Levels
Click the image to enlarge

The Avant SHL test Writing and Speaking responses are evaluated by Avant’s Certified Raters using the Avant SHL Rubric.

SHL-Test-Instance-List
Click the image to enlarge

The test taker has not started this section of the test. If all sections are marked NS the test taker has completed only the Profile.

The section is not started as the test taker did not score at a high enough level in the previous section. The system recognizes this low level and the test stops for this test taker and exits them from the test (Early Exit).

The test taker has started, but not completed, this section of the test. For the Writing and Speaking sections, click the IP to see how many responses have been submitted.

This section of the test is complete, but rating is not complete for one or more responses. Click the SP to see how many responses have been rated.

Raters were not able to rate any of the responses in the section. To determine the cause, click the NR to review the test taker’s responses. Possible reasons for “Not Ratable” Writing or Speaking responses include:
  • Non-target language – The response is not in the target language.
  • Off-topic – The response does not relate to the item topic.
  • Violent/Profane – The response includes violent or inappropriate language.
  • No speaking – A Speaking response was submitted, but has only background noise or is not understandable.

Download Results

Access and  download Individual Reports and Results Summary for test takers. For best results, wait until all testing and rating is complete.

Retakes and Resets

Under certain circumstances, retesting and resetting portions of the test may be permitted. Please refer to our Request a Retake page for more information on our policy and how to make the request.

Updated April 2022

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