Candidate’s Guide to APTIS– Teachers
1
What is APTIS? APTIS is a modern and flexible English language proficiency test designed to meet the diverse needs of organisations and individuals around the world.
It provides reliable, accurate results of English skills in your organisation. As a result, you can make better decisions about recruitment, workforce development and training needs.
APTIS is flexible and accessible so you can assess people quickly and affordably.
The assessment is designed using the most recognised Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR scale).
2
Why use APTIS? It provides a detailed report on each area of the language using the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), the most recognised, transparent, coherent and comprehensive reference instrument for language assessments. The report provides a clear picture of each test taker’s strengths and weaknesses. All APTIS tests consist of high-quality content put together and reviewed by a dedicated global team for suitability around the world. Each component of the APTIS test is assessed in United Kingdom by qualified trained assessors.
3
4
FAQ’s 1. How many components does the APTIS have? You will have five components when you sit for your APTIS; speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary. Grammar and vocabulary is also assessed within the speaking and writing component of the assessment.
2. How do I prepare for APTIS? There are plenty of resources available online to practice for each component. You can access the following:
Videos Demo tests The downloadable Candidate Guide. Click on the link below for more information: https://www.britishcouncil.org/exam/aptis/take 5
3. What is the APTIS Speaking test like? The APTIS speaking test is divided into four parts and takes about 12 minutes to complete. The following is a brief description of the test parts.
Personal information — In this part, you are asked to answer three questions on personal topics. You are expected to talk for 30 seconds per question.
Describe, express your opinion, provide reasons and explanations — In this part you are asked to describe a photograph and then answer two questions related to the topic illustrated in the photo. The three questions increase in complexity (from description to opinion). You are expected to talk for 45 seconds per question.
Describe, compare and provide reasons and explanations — In this part you are asked to compare two pictures and then answer two questions related to the topic. The three questions increase in complexity (from description to speculation). You are expected to talk for 45 seconds for each question.
6
Discuss personal experience and opinion on an abstract topic — In the final part, you will see a picture and be asked three questions about an abstract topic. You are given one minute to prepare an answer and can take notes. You are expected to talk for two minutes.
4. Are there any extra videos that I can use to prepare for the Speaking test? Introduction to APTIS Speaking: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=GWMSSpNBXG8&list=PLYCyUw86JYBy27VZaPKP3GCAc_wTNtyi&inde
Describing Pictures (The Second Task of the APTIS Exam) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP5M6ON9pV0 Comparing and Contrasting (APTIS Speaking Exam Task 3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltPgL5Qo1h0
7
5. What is the APTIS Listening test like? The listening test has 25 questions and takes up to 55 minutes. There are a number of things to remember about the listening test:
All 25 questions use the four-option multiple choice format.
Each listening input has a single question.
You may listen to the question a second time if you want, but you don't have to.
The three types of questions are described below. In the test, these types of questions may not appear in this sequence.
Word and number recognition — In these questions, you listen to a short phone message and you need to identify specific information such as a number (e.g. phone number, time) or a word.
8
Identifying specific, factual information — In these questions you listen to short conversations with two speakers or to a monologue and you need to identify specific information. For example, where do they want to go? What do they want to buy?
Inference — In these questions, you listen to short conversations with two speakers or to a monologue once more. The focus here is not on understanding the meaning of what the speakers are saying, but on identifying clues in their language or tone to help identify the attitude of the speaker, their intention or opinion.
Here are some links for extra practice: http://www.elllo.org/english/level-6-intermediate-high.htm http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio
9
6. What is the Reading Test like? The APTIS reading test takes 30 minutes and is divided into 4 tasks. The tasks become more difficult as the test progresses
Sentence comprehension — In this part, you need to choose a word (choice of three) to complete the sentence. There are five sentences to complete. Each sentence in the text is free-standing which means that it is not necessary to understand all of the sentences to complete individual sentences. This part assesses your ability to read a sentence and to complete the sentence with an appropriate word.
Text cohesion — In this part, you will see seven sentences. They belong to a single story that has been jumbled up. There is only one way that the sentences go together to form the story and your task is to click on the sentences and drag them to the correct position in the story. This part assesses your knowledge of the cohesion of a text. You are looking for clues in each sentence that show how it links to other sentences. 10
Short text comprehension – In this part you will need to read a text (about 150 words). The task is to complete the text by selecting the appropriate words (from a list) to fill in the gaps. To complete all of the text you need to understand more than just a sentence. This part tests your ability to read and understand short texts. Long text comprehension — This part consists of a long text (about 750 words) with a series of headings. The task is to match the headings to paragraphs in the text (there are seven to be done). There is always an extra heading that does not fit with any paragraph. This part is designed to test your ability to read and understand a long text. In addition, you need to be able to demonstrate an understanding of how the headings reflect the paragraphs in different ways (sometimes using similar words, sometimes similar ideas, or by sharing a topic).
Here are some extra links to prepare for reading: http://www.englishexamninja.com/aptis/aptis-reading/aptis-reading -part-4-paragraph-heading-trial/
11
7. What is the APTIS Writing test like? If you are taking APTIS-Teachers/Basic then there are four parts to the APTIS writing tests. You will fill in forms, interact in a social media-type written conversation, and write emails. All writing tasks are marked by an examiner. The writing test takes up to 55 minutes, the timings for each section below are recommendations only.
Word-level writing — In the first part, you must complete a form by filling in some basic personal information. There is no extended writing in this part (no sentence writing), just individual words. You should spend no more than three minutes on this part). Short text writing — This part is again about form filling, but this time you need to write in sentences. You should spend no more than seven minutes on this part. Three written parts of the text, all of which require responses — In this part, you will have a social network-type interaction. You will receive three questions and need to respond. You should spend no more than ten minutes on this part.
12

Formal and informal writing — This part requires that you write an informal email to a friend and a more formal email to an unknown person. Both emails are in reaction to information about a change. You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this part.
http://www.englishexamninja.com/aptis/aptis-writingtask-1-2/
13
8. What is the APTIS Grammar/Vocabulary test like? The APTIS Grammar and Vocabulary test consists of two parts. In the first (grammar) part of the test, you will answer 25 questions. Most of the questions test formal written English. A small number of questions test spoken English, such as knowing the appropriate grammar to use in a particular situation (formal or informal situations, for example). All 25 questions are in the format of a three-option multiple choice. In the second (vocabulary) part of the test, you will have 25 questions. These are presented in sets of five words (the words we are testing) with ten options from which to choose. There are a number of question types:  Word matching: Find a word with a meaning similar to the target word. 14
Word definition: Match a definition to the correct word.
Word usage: Complete a sentence by choosing the correct word.
Word pairs or word combinations: These are usually the most difficult questions, as you need to know what word (from a list) is most commonly found with the target word (e.g. birthday card is common but blue card is not).
9. Is there any practice material that I can use to prepare for the Grammar/Vocabulary test? http://englishagenda.britishcouncil.org/ sites/ec/files/books-british-councileaquals-coreinventory.pdf http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/ grammar-and-vocabulary www.englishclub.com
15
10. Why is APTIS compulsory for everyone at The City School? The City School believes in quality education and as the main medium of instruction in all our schools is English, an appropriate level of proficiency is absolutely essential to maintain sufficiently high standards of teaching.
11. Do I have to take APTIS again if I am applying for a transfer to another school? If you have achieved the level of language proficiency benchmark for the new position then you do not have to re-take the test. However, if you have not achieved the required benchmark for the English language proficiency then you will have to re-appear for the test before applying for the transfer. Refer to the Retention, Selection and Staffing Policy.
16
12. How do I manage my time for each component? Each component of the assessment is computer based. The top portion of each test shows you the time when you start the test.
13. How long does it take to the get the results back? After you successfully complete your test, it takes 7-10 working days to get the results.
17
14. Do’s and Don’ts Do’s… Relax and get a good night’s rest before your exam. Arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled test time. Please remember not to panic when you appear for the
exam. Practice and prepare for the exam to become familiar
with the types of questions. During the exam, raise your hand if you have a question.
Before starting each component of APTIS, run through its
tutorial. For the speaking test, be sure to speak loud and clearly
into the mic.
18
Use the scratch sheets provided for any of the components to plan or make notes. For the listening test, read the questions first before playing the sound file.
Don’ts….. No mobile phones, notebooks, or purses are allowed in the testing room. No cheating or plagiarism is allowed on the test. Refer to the Malpractice Section on the next page. No one is allowed to talk once you enter the testing area. No one is allowed to take home any scratch paper used in the testing room/computer lab.
19
What is Malpractice? Malpractice is an action by a candidate or the staff that breaks The City School and the British Council’s regulation and potentially threatens the integrity and the security of the exam. Actions that fall under malpractice are following: Misuse of exam material Behaving in such a way as to undermine the integrity of the exam Disruptive behaviour in the exam room (including the use of offensive language) Bringing unauthorised materials into the exam room (for example, notes, study guides and personal organisers, their own blank paper, calculators (when prohibited), dictionaries (when prohibited), mobile phones or other electronic devices) Obtaining, receiving, exchanging or passing on information which could be exam-related (or attempting to) by any means before the end of the exam
20
Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else, or arranging for another person to take one’s place in an exam
Copying from another candidate (including the misuse of ICT to do so) Collusion: Working collaboratively with other candidates Plagiarism: The failure to acknowledge sources properly and/or the submission of another person’s work as if it were the candidate’s own. This includes memorised passages prepared by someone else (internal or external tutors). The deliberate destruction of another’s work The alteration of any results document, including certificates
Failure to abide by the instructions of an invigilator Failure to abide by the conditions of supervision designed to maintain the security of the exams Any attempt to remove or reveal the content of the exam before its ended.
21
Consequences of Malpractice/ Maladministration If someone found responsible for malpractice or maladministration, it will result in; A fine issuing a formal warning
disqualification of candidates from the test banning a candidate from reappearing for the same exam for up to five years informing other examining bodies of the details of the case and the action taken informing the police in serious cases involving theft, impersonation or the falsification of documents. (The British Council, 2017)
22
Depending upon the intensity of malpractice, termination of the person involved may also be considered. However, clear proof is needed before any action is taken. All candidates will be warned against unfair practices before the start of the examination.
23
Wishing you the best of luck on your exam. Remember the more you practice, the better you get!
24