CanTEST Prep Tutoring in Brampton & Mississauga

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The CanTEST is a standardized English proficiency test used to determine if you are able to meet the admission requirements of Canadian post-secondary institutions or the fluency requirements of Canadian professional associations. The scores will also give you some idea of how much additional English language training you may need.

What English skills does the CanTEST measure?

The CanTEST measures four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Each test section is described briefly below.

Listening:

The Listening test is made up of about 40 multiple- choice or short-answer questions based on recorded material delivered at normal speed. The listening passages include dialogues, announcements, interviews, and short lectures. The test lasts about 50 minutes, and listening passages vary in length from about one to five minutes.

Reading:

Reading is measured by two tests. The first is a 10-20 question Skimming and Scanning test, which requires that you read quickly to find specific information in authentic texts such as newspapers, university calendars, web pages, and bibliographies. The second reading test lasts about 50 minutes and measures Reading Comprehension. On this test, you will read passages of 400- 700 words, and answer multiple-choice and short-answer questions about them. You will also complete a 20-30 item cloze test, in which words are deleted from a passage. The cloze test is in multiple-choice format.

Writing:

The Writing test involves writing a composition on a topic which will be assigned to you. The time for this test is 45 minutes.

Speaking:

he Speaking test involves a face-to-face interview with two evaluators who will ask you questions on topics of personal, professional, and general interest. The interview lasts about 15 minutes

Topics In CanTest

All CanTEST material is taken from real documents such as newspapers, magazines, textbooks, and radio broadcasts. Topic areas of the material include: agriculture, medicine, engineering, history, and education. All the texts are intended for the general reader. You do not have to be a specialist in any of these fields to answer the questions.

Difference Between CanTEST And Other English

All CanTEST material is taken from real documents such as newspapers, magazines, textbooks, and radio broadcasts. Topic areas of the material include: agriculture, medicine, engineering, history, and education. All the texts are intended for the general reader. You do not have to be a specialist in any of these fields to answer the questions.

  • Only comprehension is tested. CanTEST is not a test of grammar or structures.
  • Questions are always based on a passage and never on a single sentence. Some questions are multiple choice; for others you must supply a short answer or label a diagram.
  • CanTEST listening and reading passages are longer than the passages on most tests of English. Some reading passages are a full page in length and listening passages can be as long as five minutes.
  • There is a separate reading test of skimming and scanning (rapid reading) for specific information.
  • Your ability to write is always tested; an oral interview can be conducted for candidates who need speaking scores.

CanTEST Scores

You will receive a separate score for each of the four skills. These scores, called Band Levels, tell you your level from 1 to 5. Descriptions of the level of performance corresponding to each band are on the following page.

The scores you receive for the Listening and Reading tests are based on the number of questions you answer correctly. As a general example, you have to get about 60 or 65% of the questions right to achieve a Band Level of 4.0.

In Writing and Speaking, your performance is described by the test evaluators and compared to the Band Level descriptions. For example, a moderately fluent speaker with good pronunciation whose errors are not confusing to the interviewer would receive a band score of 4.0 or 4.5.

Scores need to pass the CanTest

Most Canadian universities require an average of Band 4.5 with no score lower than a Band 4.0. Some departments (e.g., Administration, Law) and some professional organizations (e.g. pharmacy licensing boards) require even higher scores. You should check the requirements at the institution to which you wish your scores to be sent.

What do the band levels mean?

5 + Fluent User

Consistently effective command of the language in familiar and unfamiliar contexts of language use. Full comprehension. No language problems that would impede academic or professional success. (This band is awarded only in the productive skills)

5 Very Good User

Very good command of the language, even in demanding contexts. High degree of comprehension. Only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies in communication, which very rarely impede communication. Level of proficiency is acceptable for full time academic study.

4 Competent User

Generally effective command of the language in fairly demanding contexts, with a satisfactory level of comprehension. Some inaccuracy and misunderstanding in less familiar contexts with more complex language. Weaknesses exist which sometimes impede communication, and could affect performance in an academic program. Additional language training would be helpful to improve accuracy, speed, and overall proficiency.

3 Limited User

Fair command of the language only in familiar language contexts or in interactions with a sympathetic speaker. Limited comprehension. Markedly reduced effectiveness in demanding or unfamiliar situations. Systematic inaccuracies and misunderstandings significantly impede communication and comprehension. Requires additional language training before being considered for academic placement.

2 Very Basic User

Some ability to function in highly contextualized, familiar situations, but no real command of the language. Frequent breakdowns in communication

1 Novice

Extremely limited command of the language.

Half-bands (e.g. 3.5) are awarded where a candidate’s performance exceeds that described in one band but does not fully meet the next higher level.

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