How is the Level (Up) Test graded? What if I do not agree with a test result?

Methodology

There are sound and tested methods behind the 20-minute conversation in EnglishCentral's online classroom, that our partner, EnglishCentral, uses for what are called the Level Test and the Level Up Test.

Structured conversation and script

Although, while being tested, you might have felt that your 20-minute talk was only a random, informal chat, it was actually a structured conversation with a clear underlying script.

The teachers conducting the test worked with the so-called "can-do statements" that are based on the CEFR framework. This is a European standard for determining how well someone is proficient with a second language. CEFR is short for Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Below you can find some links to websites explaining CEFR more.

The teacher conducting the test determined your score based on a method that is used in the same way every time. However, there may be some room for interpretation. Since the teachers that Spot On Learning and EnglishCentral work with are experienced and well-trained, tests' results have proven to be reliable and consistent.

Quality control after the test

After an EnglishCentral teacher has determined the result of your Level (Up) Test, they will generate and share the lesson report with us. Our Support Team will look into this report and listen to the audio recording of the test.

We will then compare your test audio to validated recordings of other participants from the same country/region. We may also choose to compare your test with other tests in which people received a similar (slightly lower and/or slightly higher) result. In this way we can double check the consistency of the outcome.

What to do if you do not agree with your result?

If you have a feeling that the result of your test is not accurate or fair, this is what you can do:

• Send an email to testquality@spotonlearning.eu or contact the Support by clicking "Chat button" on https://my.spotonlearning.eu/.
• Provide your and your test's details, i.e., your email address, the date & time you took your test, the name of your teacher, etc.
• Let us know why you believe your result is not accurate or fair.

Second evaluation of test results

If you request a second test check, your test report and result will be evaluated once more by:

• Spot On Learning Support Team and
• An EnglishCentral teacher with more than average experience that was not involved in determining your initial score.

Once your test has been reviewed again, you will receive an email with your final result. It can be different from or be identical to the first outcome. Bear in mind that it is not possible to do another review of the final result.

Spot On Learning will also inform and explain to your employer/coordinator that there was (or still is) a discussion about the test result. We will also provide details about the procedure that has been followed.

Role of Spot On Learning and its client

It is always up to our client, in most cases your employer, to choose what to do with the outcome of our test.

If you still do not agree with your result, you can contact us. A member of our management team will investigate your case but will not make any changes after the review. The result after the review is always final.

Why would you even do it then? By periodically evaluating and looking into all cases where our participants disagree with their test outcomes we hope to keep learning and improving our methods and procedures.

More information about the CEFR framework

• Council of Europe: The CEFR levels
• Wikipedia: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages