STAMP WS (formerly WorldSpeak)
Test Taker Guide
REMOTE TESTING ▶
Technology Guide For Avant's Remote Proctoring Solution
STAMP WS/WORLDSPEAK™ Test Taker Guide
Educator Proctored TestingSTAMP 4S ▶
STAMP 4SE ▶
STAMP Pro ▶
STAMP FOR HEBREW GUIDES ▶
SHL TEST ▶
Grades 7-12 Suggested Placement Levels
Higher Ed Suggested Placement Levels
Test Taker GuidesADVANCE ▶
STAMP WS/WORLDSPEAK ▶
PLACE ▶
APT ▶
Handwritten Writing Section Guide
Proficiency Levels & Rubric/Scoring Guide
Test Taker GuidesProficiency Levels & Rubric/Scoring Guide
Arabic Translated GuidesWhat is Avant STAMP WS (formerly WorldSpeak)?
The Avant STAMP WS (formerly WorldSpeak) language proficiency test is a semi-adaptive test. Test takers are asked to answer seven self-evaluation 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.
Avant STAMP WS test question and prompts are based on real-world, everyday situations. Avant STAMP WS measures a test taker’s language ability according to Benchmark Levels that are based on national standards. Test results will indicate the level of proficiency achieved for each section of the test.
Prior to Avant STAMP WS assessment, review the information below:
Before the Assessment
Prepare for the Assessment
Take a Sample Test for the language you are testing to familiarize yourself with the layout of the test and confirm the following:
Your equipment is configured properly and all technology preparation steps are completed before the beginning of assessment. Refer to the Technology Guide to troubleshoot any issues and make sure the system is properly configured.
- You can type your Writing response in the language you are testing. Refer to our Writing Input Guide to see which languages require special keyboards.
- You can record and playback Speaking responses. See Headset Guide for more information.
It is also advisable to read the Avant STAMP Benchmarks and Rubric Guide and Test Taker Power Up Guide if you want information about the skills you need to demonstrate to achieve a certain test level.
Rules for Taking an Avant Test
Avant Assessment’s online language proficiency tests must be taken in a proctored environment with a proctor who is authorized by the organization sponsoring the test.
Avant’s test utilizes spontaneous, unrehearsed situations to measure real-world language proficiency. The purpose of this assessment is to measure what you are able to do with the language without the support of any translators, reference material (including taking notes during any portion of the assessment) or assistance of any kind.
- The use of dictionaries, textbooks, cell phones, paper, pens, or other support materials (paper-based or electronic). The only time test takers should have access to pens or pencils is if the Writing section is being administered as handwritten.
- Taking or using notes of any kind (digital or handwritten) for any portion of the test, including the speaking, writing, and expressive sections.
- Writing down a speaking or expressive response and using it as your recorded response. This will lower your score for that response, and it may be scored as a ZERO because it involves the use of paper or reference material.
- Writing down a speaking response and reading it as your recorded response. This will lower your score for that response, and it may be scored as a ZERO because it involves the use of paper or reference material.
- Using additional computer or smartphone applications (e.g., Word, email, chat) or having other browser windows open during testing.
- The use of Google Translate or any other translation aid (paper-based or electronic).
- Using copy-paste, printing, screen capture apps/tools, video conferencing, messaging tools, or scanning and taking pictures/videos with your phone.
- Sharing information about questions or prompts on the test with anyone.
- Corresponding with anyone other than the proctor during the test. Or, receiving any advice or help from anyone during the test.
- Using violent, profane or inappropriate language in your responses. This will lower your score for that response and it will be scored as a ZERO.
Violating any of these rules may invalidate your assessment results. We recommend also referring to your organization’s policy on academic dishonesty. Learn more about Test Security and Integrity.
During the Assessment
Login Page
- Your teacher or proctor will provide you login information for Avant STAMP WS login page.
2. After entering the Test Code and Password you will see 2 buttons for starting a new test or continuing a test:
- Start New Test: Click this button when starting a test for the first time. After clicking this button you will be asked to create a Login Name
- Continue Test: Click this button to resume a test you have already started. You will be asked to re-enter the Login Name you entered when you started the test the first time
3. After clicking on one of the buttons you will be asked to enter your Login Name:
Login name should be:
- Between 5-25 characters long.
- Any combination of letters, numbers, or any of the following special characters: @ (at symbol) _ (underscore) – (hyphen) . (period) , (comma) ‘ (single quote).
- Unique within the testing group (e.g. student or employee ID number or email).
Test takers should memorize their login name. If test takers need to stop and continue the test at a later time, they will need to enter their login name exactly as they did the first time.
Profile Page
The profile page is the first screen that appears after the test taker logs in. All test takers are required to create a profile. It is used to verify the test taker information, gather additional information about the test taker and record information about the test taker’s background with the language being tested.
The only required fields are:
First Name
Last Name
Test Taker ID
Confirm Test Taker ID
Other fields are optional. However, we encourage test takers to use the optional fields. They provide a wealth of information that is used by testing coordinators and teachers.
The following screenshots better show the sections of the Test Taker Profile page.
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.
After filling out the student profile information the test taker will hit the SUBMIT button and move on to the Dashboard Screen (see below).
Dashboard Page
Like all STAMP tests, Test Takers will enter a Dashboard to begin testing.
- Self-Evaluation Reading section has 7 questions that must be completed before the Writing Section.
- Self-Evaluation Listening section has 7 questions that must be completed before the Speaking Section.
- Writing and Speaking Sections will have 3 prompts each.
Self-Evaluation Reading section has 7 questions that must be completed before the Writing Section.
Writing Section has 3 prompts.
Self-Evaluation Listening section has 7 questions that must be completed before the Speaking Section.
Speaking Section has 3 prompts.
- 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. Scroll down, if necessary.
- After clicking the NEXT button, you will not be able to return to the question
Unless directed otherwise, complete all sections of the test until the Test Complete message appears. If you get logged out of the test, you can log back in with the same credentials to continue where you left off.
IMPORTANT: Please note that the following 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.
Self-Evaluation Reading Section
- Self-Evaluation Reading Section has 7 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.
Writing Section
Writing Section has 3 prompts.
Reading Section must be completed before the Writing Section.
- You can read the prompt’s instructions in English or listen to them in the testing language.
- You will have up to 3000 characters (450-700 words) for each Writing response.
The test will AUTO-SAVE test taker’s writing every 10 seconds.
- 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.
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.
Writing Section Tips and Strategies:
Provide your responses using the testing language.
Write at your highest possible level.
Provide all detail requested in the prompt and enough detail to fully demonstrate your writing skill.
Stay on topic.
Allow sufficient time for all three of your Writing prompts.
Complete responses for all prompts are needed to accurately determine your proficiency level.
Self-Evaluation Listening Section
- Self-Evaluation Listening Section has 7 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 Speaking 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 3 prompts.
Listening Section must be completed before Speaking Section.
You can read the prompt’s instructions in English or listen to them in the testing language.
You will have four (4) minutes of recording time for each Speaking response.
To record a response, click Begin Recording.
When done recording, wait two or three seconds, and then click Stop Recording. If you see the Begin Recording button again after clicking Stop Recording, your recording was not captured.
After recording, click Listen to listen to your recording and to verify that the response was recorded properly.
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 one the Trash can.
Use the Stop Recording and Begin Recording/+ Sign (Add to Recording) buttons as needed.
Click NEXT to save and submit the response and move to the next screen. After clicking NEXT, you will not be able to return to the prompt. Do not click NEXT if the response is inaudible or of poor quality.
Following these procedures will prevent having a speaking response that cannot be rated.
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.
Speaking Section Tips and Strategies:
Organize your thoughts before you start to record.
Provide your responses using the testing language.
Record your response at your highest possible level.
Provide all detail requested in the prompt and enough detail to fully demonstrate your speaking skill.
Stay on topic.
- Avoid long pauses when you are recording.
Allow sufficient time for all three of your Speaking prompts.
Complete responses for all prompts are needed to accurately determine your proficiency level.
Completing the Assessment
- If you are not completing the test in one session, follow the instructions from your teacher or proctor about when to click Stop Test.
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You have not completed Avant STAMP WS until you see a screen that says “Test Complete.”
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If you need to finish the test at another time, plan to do so within 90 days of starting the test (or within the timelines specified by your teacher or proctor).
Resuming the Assessment
To resume a test, click Continue Test after entering the Test Code and Password and re-enter your Login Name exactly as you did the first time. The test should resume at the point where you left off. Contact your test proctor or teacher for assistance if you experience difficulty resuming your test.
After the Assessment
Test results are delivered to the testing administrator after test completion. Test takers should contact their testing administrator to receive test results.
Updated February 2023