STAMP WS Test Taker Guide for Avant’s Remote Proctoring Solution

The test begins with a test taker profile page and then a self-evaluation. You will start with the Writing section of the test, and finish with the Speaking section. 

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 move or minimize the proctor’s chat/control window to be able to click the NEXT button.

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

WRITING AND SPEAKING SECTIONS

• You will have up to 3000 characters (450-700 words) for each Writing response and four (4) 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 prompt

WRITING & SPEAKING GUIDES

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 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

• You will have up to 3000 characters (450-700 words) for the Writing response

• 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

• You will not be able to go back to prompts after clicking NEXT

SPEAKING SECTION

The Speaking section consists of three prompts.

• You will have four (4) minutes of recording time for the Speaking response

• Organize your thoughts before you start to record

• 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 is indicating no recording was captured

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