STAMP™ 4S Test Taker Guide for Avant’s Remote Proctoring Solution

When you start your proctored test, the Test Taker Profile screen will appear first. All required information will be already filled out. Click the submit button to submit your profile as is or you can complete the optional demographic information before hitting submit.

On your testing dashboard you can choose to start with either the Reading or Listening section.

Please note: the Reading test must be taken before the Writing test, and the Listening test must be taken before the Speaking test section. Once you enter a test section you won’t be able to back out of it and will need to complete it.

The test will provide helpful instructions at the beginning of each section. Please read the instructions carefully. Responses to test questions are submitted using the NEXT button, located at the bottom right of the screen. When taking your proctored test you will need to minimize the proctor’s control window to click the NEXT button.

Complete all sections of the test until the Test Complete message appears.

READING AND LISTENING SECTIONS

The Reading and Listening sections of the test are multiple-choice and computer-adaptive, meaning that each new question is selected based on previous responses. Because Avant STAMP 4S is used to determine language proficiency for test takers who are at Novice, Intermediate and Advanced levels, the Reading and Listening sections start out with questions at various levels. If you are at the early stages of language learning, the test may challenge you, but don’t be frustrated if you encounter a topic or words that are unfamiliar to you. Do your best, but keep in mind that an incorrect answer on an unfamiliar topic is okay and provides the system with valuable information needed for determining proficiency.

As your test progresses, you may see easier or more difficult questions based upon your earlier answers. Each test taker will follow a unique path as the test progresses. You will see approximately 30 questions in each of the sections. The Reading section takes, on average, 35-40 minutes to complete and the Listening section averages 35-40 minutes. Either section may take longer for test takers who are getting many higher-level test questions, which feature longer reading or listening passages. The speed of your Internet connection can also affect the length of the test.

Reading and Listening Tips:

• Read the question and answers before you attempt to read or listen to the passage (this will help guide your reading/listening and help you move through the test more quickly)

• Do not translate each word that you read or hear – translating each word is not reading or listening for comprehension and it will take more time that you can better use in later sections

• In the Listening section, you can listen to each recording two times

• If you’re having trouble reading the text in the images on the test, you can enlarge your screen with the following key combinations:

  • On a Mac: Press the “Command” and “+” keys at the same time

  • On a Windows/PC: Press the “Control” and “+” keys at the same time

WRITING AND SPEAKING SECTIONS

• These sections start with a sample prompt.

  • Use the sample Writing prompt to practice keyboarding special characters you may need to use

  • Use the sample Speaking prompt to ensure that your microphone is working properly

  • Do not spend much time crafting answers to sample questions as they do not contribute to your final score

• You will have up to 2500 characters (400-600 words) for each Writing response and three (3) minutes of recording time for each Speaking response.

• Provide your response using the language you are being tested in

• Write or record at your highest possible level

• Provide all detail requested in the prompt and enough detail to fully demonstrate your writing or speaking skills

• Stay on topic

• Pace yourself

  • Allow sufficient time for all three of your Writing/Speaking prompts

  • Complete responses for all prompts are needed to accurately determine your proficiency level

• In these sections, click NEXT to submit the response and move to the next screen

• After clicking NEXT, you will not be able to return to the question

WRITING & SPEAKING GUIDES

It is also advisable to read the following guides that explain what you need to demonstrate in your responses for the writing and speaking sections to achieve a certain level.

• Benchmark and Rubric Guide

• Power Up Guide

• Writing Examples Guide

Avant raters review all written and spoken responses and any inappropriate responses (vulgar, violent, etc.) will not be scored and will be reported to your test administrator.

WRITING SECTION

The Writing section consists of one sample and three prompts.

• For some languages the test will include a character box where the appropriate symbols and accented letters are included and can be clicked. No additional action is required to set up a virtual keyboard for these languages.

• Other languages require that a virtual keyboard is loaded. A standard keyboard will be used to type characters corresponding with the virtual keyboard.

• To see which languages require loading a virtual keyboard visit the Writing Input Guide. This guide also includes directions for loading the virtual keyboards

• The test will AUTO-SAVE test taker’s writing every 10 seconds.

• When done with a prompt, click NEXT to save the response and move to the next prompt or screen

SPEAKING SECTION

The Speaking section consists of one sample and three prompts.

• Organize your thoughts before you start to record

• You will have three (3) minutes of recording time for the Speaking response.

• To record a response, click Begin Recording

• When done recording, wait two or three seconds, and then click Stop Recording

• After recording, click Listen to listen to your recording

• You can then do one of the following:

  • If you want to add to the recording, click the + sign

  • If you want to delete the recording and start over, click on the Trash can

• Avoid long pauses when you are recording

  • Use the Stop Recording and Begin Recording/+ Sign (Add to Recording) buttons as needed

• When the recording is complete, click NEXT to save your response and move to the next prompt or screen

VERY IMPORTANT

For the Speaking Section, click Listen after recording to verify that your response was recorded properly.

• If the response is inaudible or of poor quality, DO NOT CLICK NEXT.

• If you see the Begin Recording button again after clicking Stop Recording, this indicates no recording was captured

Following these procedures will prevent having a speaking response that cannot be graded.