STAMP WS Guides for Testing Coordinators
Test Taker Experience
The Avant STAMP WS (formerly WorldSpeak) language proficiency test is a semi-adaptive test. Test takers will be asked to answer seven self-evaluation questions that best represent their skill/ability level in both the Reading and Listening sections. The self-evaluated reading score is used to determine the level of prompt delivered for the writing section. The same applies for the listening self-evaluation related to the speaking prompts. This allows the language productive sections to be more appropriately leveled for the test taker.
Test Taker Profile
All test takers will be required to create a profile. First Name, Last Name, and test taker ID are required. Other fields are optional. Profile information is included in results download available for testing coordinators.
After test takers enter a Login Name and logs in, the Test Taker Profile screen will appear where test takers will need to enter First Name, Last Name and Test Taker ID.
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.
An optional email field. This field provides an additional test taker verification point.
Dashboard View
Like all STAMP tests, test takers will enter a dashboard to begin testing.
- Self-Evaluation Reading section has seven questions that must be completed before the Writing Section.
- Self-Evaluation Listening section has seven questions that must be completed before the Speaking Section.
- Writing and Speaking Sections will have three prompts each.
Self-Evaluation Reading section has seven questions that must be completed before the Writing Section.
Writing Section has three prompts.
Self-Evaluation Listening section has seven questions that must be completed before the Speaking Section.
Speaking Section has three prompts.
Self-Evaluation Reading Section
- Self-Evaluation Reading Section has seven questions. Test takers should read each statement carefully and then choose the answer that best fits their ability with this skill.
- Instructions and questions are provided in both English and the testing language.
- Reading Section must be completed before Writing Section.
Instructions are written in English and in the testing language.
Self-Evaluation Reading Section has seven questions. Test takers should read each statement carefully and then choose the answer that best describes their ability with the skill.
Test takers should read each statement above carefully and then choose the answer that best describes their ability with this skill.
Test takers will have seven self-evaluation 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.
- I can understand only a few very common words.
- I can understand some familiar names, words, and very simple phrases. For example, I can read and understand simple notes, memos, emails, and posters.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Self-Evaluation Listening Section
- Self-Evaluation Listening Section has seven questions. Test takers should read each statement carefully and then choose the answer that best fits their ability with this skill.
- Instructions and questions are provided in both English and the testing language.
- Listening Section must be completed before Writing Section.
Instructions are written in English and in the testing language.
Self-Evaluation Listening Section has seven questions. Test takers should read each statement carefully and then choose the answer that best describes their ability with this skill.
Test takers should read each statement above carefully and then choose the answer that best describes their ability with this skill.
Test takers will have seven self-evaluation 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.
- I can understand only a few clearly spoken words.
- I can understand familiar names, words, and very basic phrases concerning my family, my close surroundings, and myself, when people speak slowly and clearly.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Speaking Section has three (3) prompts.
- Listening Section must be completed before Speaking Section.
- Test taker can read prompt instructions in English or listen to them in the testing language.
- Test taker will have four (4) minutes of recording time for each Speaking response.
Test Takers can read the prompt in English or listen in the testing language.
Test Takers will have four (4) minutes of recording time for each Speaking response. Test Takers record a response using the "Begin Recording" button. After the response is recorded, Test Takers can listen to it, add to the recording using "+" button, or delete and record it again.
Writing Section
- Writing Section has three (3) prompts.
- Reading Section must be completed before the Writing Section.
- Test takers can read the prompt’s instructions in English or listen to them in the testing language.
- Test taker will have up to 3000 characters (450-700 words) for each Writing response.
Test Takers can read the prompt in English or listen in the testing language.
Test Takers will write a response in the answer box. Test Takers will have up to 3000 characters (450-700 words) for each Writing response.