Fact Sheet

TM

Versant English Placement Test

Score Descriptors

Versant English Placement Test

Score Descriptors
This document provides performance descriptors for the Versant English Placement Test
Overall scores and subscores. For more information about the design and structure of the
Versant English Placement Test, refer to the tests Technical Manual.
The Overall Score of the test represents the ability to understand spoken and written English
and respond appropriately in speaking and writing on everyday topics, at a native-like pace
and in intelligible English. Scores are based on a weighted combination of four diagnostic
subscores. Scores are reported in the range from 20 to 70.

VEPT Overall
Score

CEFR
Level

Candidates Current Capabilities

C1

Candidate speaks and understands at native-speaker speeds with minimal

effort, and can contribute readily to a native-paced discussion at length,
maintaining the colloquial flow. Speech is fluent and intelligible.
Candidate has consistent mastery of complex language structures.
Candidate reads and writes at native-speaker speeds, and can readily
produce written texts for most purposes. Writing is generally effective and
clear.

B2

Candidate easily handles a wide variety of discourse and speaking styles,

and can contribute to a native-paced discussion. Speech is generally
fluent, smooth and intelligible. Candidate controls appropriate language
structures for speaking about complex material. Candidate understands
texts from a wide variety of written genres, and can produce texts for
most purposes. Writing is usually effective and clear.

B1

Candidate can handle many utterances using a variety of words and

structures, and can follow and sometimes participate in a native-paced
conversation. Pronunciation is mostly intelligible; candidate can express
some composite information on familiar topics to a cooperative listener.
Candidate understands texts using a variety of words and structures, and
given enough time can produce written texts for general purposes.
Writing contains errors or inappropriate word choice, but the message is
clear to a sympathetic reader.

A2

Candidate can handle short utterances using common words and simple
structures, but has difficulty following a native-paced conversation.
Pronunciation may sometimes not be intelligible; candidate speaks slowly
and pauses, but can convey basic information to a cooperative listener.
Candidate can handle texts using simple words and structures, but has
difficulty understanding long or complex texts. Candidate can convey
basic information in writing using a limited range of language.

70

68

67

56

55

46

45

33

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A1

Candidate can manage some slow, short, isolated utterances, or spoken

formulas, but has difficulty following any native conversation; candidate
may often pause to search for words and is difficult to understand.
Candidate understands texts written using high-frequency words and
structures, and can write short, simple phrases and sentences drawing on
a narrow range of language or learned repertoire.

<A1

Candidate can manage some slow, short, isolated utterances, or spoken

formulas, but has difficulty following any native conversation; candidate
often pauses to search for words and is difficult to understand. Candidate
understands short, simple texts written using high-frequency words, and
can write simple words and phrases drawing on a narrow range of
language or learned repertoire.

32

24

23

20

The Speaking subscore of the test reflects the ability to produce English phrases and clauses
in complete sentences. The score is based on the ability to produce consonants, vowels, and
stress in a native-like manner, use accurate syntactic processing and appropriate usage of
words in meaningful sentence structures, as well as use appropriate rhythm, phrasing, and
timing. Scores are reported in the range from 20 to 70.

Speaking
Subscore
70
68

67
56
55

46
45
33
32
24

Candidates Current Capabilities

Candidate generally produces accurate and meaningful sentences.
Candidate speaks with good rhythm and appropriate phrasing and
produces most vowels and consonants in a clear manner, although an
occasional mispronunciation may occur.
Candidate produces a range of meaningful sentences. Candidate speaks
with adequate rhythm but with some inappropriate phrasing and pausing,
and produces many vowels and consonants in a clear manner, although
some sounds are non-native.
Candidate produces some simple and meaningful sentences. Candidate
speaks with adequate rhythm; speech contains some smooth runs
containing several words but in some sections rhythm is uneven; many
vowels and consonants are produced in a clear manner, but certain
sounds are consistently pronounced in a non-native manner.
Candidate produces some simple sentences. Candidate speaks with
irregular phrasing or rhythm and mispronounces many consonants and
vowels, resulting in a strong, intrusive non-English accent.
Candidate produces some simple phrases and sentences. Candidate
speaks in a slow manner with many hesitations, false starts, and/or long
pauses, and pronunciation is strongly non-English in character.

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23
20

Candidate produces some simple words and phrases. Candidate speaks in

a slow manner with many hesitations, false starts, and/or long pauses, and
speech is unintelligible to many listeners.

The Listening subscore of the test reflects the ability to understand specific details and main
ideas from everyday English speech. The score is based on the ability to track meaning and
infer the message from English that is spoken at a conversational pace. Scores are reported
in the range from 20 to 70.

Listening
Subscore
70

Candidates Current Capabilities

Candidate follows most of what is said around him/her on most topics,
although occasionally some information may be lost.

68
67

Candidate follows much of what is said around him/her on general topics

provided speech is clear, although occasionally information is lost.

56
55

Candidate generally follows the main points of a discussion provided

speech is clear, but will miss some details.

46
45

Candidate understands simple everyday conversational speech when it is

spoken clearly and directed at him/her.

33
32

Candidate understands some basic questions or statements given in clear,

simple speech.

24
23

Candidate understands some basic words, phrases, and simple questions

or statements given in slow, clear speech with long pauses.

20

The Reading subscore of the test reflects the ability to understand written English texts on
everyday topics. The score is based on the ability to operate at functional speeds to extract
meaning, infer the message, and respond appropriately. Scores are reported in the range
from 20 to 70.

Reading
Subscore

Candidates Current Capabilities

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70

Candidate reads, understands and responds to texts on everyday topics at

a fast, functional pace. Occasionally some details may be lost.

68
67
56
55

Candidate reads, understands and responds to texts on everyday topics at

a functional pace. In more complex texts, specific, important details may
be lost.
Candidate reads, understands and responds to simple written texts, but
has difficulty dealing with more complex texts.

46
45

Candidate has limited comprehension; reads, understands, and responds

to texts that contain simple vocabulary and grammatical structures.

33
32
24
23
20

Candidate has limited comprehension; reads, understands and responds

to very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking up familiar
names, words and basic phrases.
Candidate exhibits minimal comprehension; reads, understands, and
responds only to very short, simple texts, a single phrase at a time,
picking up familiar names and words with much rereading.

The Writing subscore of the test reflects the ability to produce written English texts on
everyday topics. The score is based on the ability to present ideas and information in a clear
and logical sequence, use a wide range of appropriate words as well as a variety of sentences
structures. Scores are reported in the range from 20 to 70.

Writing
Subscore
70

Candidates Current Capabilities

Candidate writes clear, well-structured texts on a wide variety of subjects
using a wide range of grammatical structures and English words.

68
67

Candidate writes clear, connected texts on a variety of subjects using a

sufficient range of grammatical structures and a good range of common
English words.

56
55

Candidate writes straightforward texts on familiar subjects using a limited

range of grammatical structures and an adequate range of common
English words.

46

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45

Candidate writes a series of simple phrases and sentences using a limited

range of grammatical structures and basic vocabulary.

33
32

Candidate writes simple, isolated phrases and sentences using a very

limited range of grammatical structures and basic vocabulary.

24
23

Candidate writes simple isolated words and phrases.

20

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To-Improve Statements
Some suggestions for improving English skills are provided below.

Versant English Placement Test Overall Scores in the Range of 68-70

To improve, a candidate at this level should:
Practice actively listening to spoken language delivered at fast, native speed from a variety of
sources, e.g., live or broadcast television and/or radio.
Practice giving clear, smoothly flowing, elaborate and vivid descriptions, using appropriate word
stress and intonation to guide listeners to notice and remember significant points.
Practice monitoring your speech for grammatical consistency and smoothness, quickly substituting
an equivalent term for a word you can't recall.
Practice reading lengthy, complex texts (journals, novels, biographies, etc.) within and outside of
your interests and/or field.
Make an effort to expand vocabulary by actively learning synonyms or similar expressions to what
you already know.
Practice writing arguments, explaining significant points, presenting supporting details, and
rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.

Versant English Placement Test Overall Scores in the Range of 56-67

To improve, a candidate at this level should:
Actively listen to extended speech of varying styles (formal speeches, academic talks, news items,
television debates, etc.) on an increasing range of topics, including abstract and complex topics
within and outside of your interests and/or field.
Practice giving clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects.
Practice using appropriate stress and intonation to convey shades of meaning precisely.
Practice reading a variety of different texts (short stories, news reports, business documents,
manuals, interviews) on an increasing range of topics, including abstract and complex topics within
and outside of your interests and/or field.
Practice scanning long and complex texts, locating the main points and important details.
Practice writing about hypothetical situations and speculating about causes and consequences.

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Versant English Placement Test Overall Scores in the Range of 46-55

To improve, a candidate at this level should:
Practice keeping up with language spoken at a normal speed by watching and summarizing TV
news and current affairs programs, documentaries, live interviews, talk shows, plays, and films.
Practice delivering announcements or talks on general topics, departing spontaneously from the
prepared text as needed and following up on interesting points raised by friends or classmates.
Focus on developing a clear pronunciation and intonation.
Practice reading texts or business documents likely to be encountered in your personal and
professional life, identifying main points, specific details, and attitudes.
Pick a topic, item, or feeling you want to describe or express and learn words and expressions to do
it from a dictionary or textbook.
Practice writing personal letters and emails sharing your thoughts about abstract topics such as
books, music, and film.

Versant English Placement Test Overall Scores in the Range of 33-45

To improve, a candidate at this level should:
Practice listening carefully to the information content of recorded or broadcast audio material,
identifying both general messages and specific details.
Practice giving detailed accounts of experiences (e.g., autobiographical, biographical, or fictional)
describing your feelings and reactions to the events.
Practice giving detailed accounts of experiences (e.g., autobiographical, biographical, or fictional)
describing your feelings and reactions to the events.
Practice reading short news reports, magazine articles, emails, etc. and identifying both main points
and specific details.
Practice reading short texts and using the context to infer the meaning of any unknown words.
Try to use specific, precise words in your writing to broaden your lexical repertoire.

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Versant English Placement Test Overall Scores in the Range of 24-32

To improve, a candidate at this level should:
Practice listening to recorded or broadcast material (e.g., news reports about events, accidents, the
weather, etc.) and extracting essential information.
Practice giving a presentation on immediate, everyday topics to classmates or colleagues, answering
follow-up questions and asking for repetition if necessary.
Practice pronunciation by modeling target sounds.
Practice reading short news reports, magazine articles, emails, etc. and identifying both main points
and specific details.
Practice reading short texts and using the context to infer the meaning of any unknown words.
Try to use specific, precise words in your writing to broaden your lexical repertoire.

Versant English Placement Test Overall Scores in the Range of 20-23

To improve, a candidate at this level should:
Practice listening to recorded or broadcast material (e.g., news reports about events, accidents, the
weather, etc.) and extracting essential information.
Practice giving a presentation on immediate, everyday topics to classmates or colleagues, answering
follow-up questions and asking for repetition if necessary.
Practice pronunciation by modeling target sounds.
Try to read short news reports, magazine articles, emails, etc. and extract the essential information.
Make a list of new words, idioms, and expressions and their definitions and review them daily.
Practice writing a short description of yourself, explaining your likes and dislikes, physical
appearance, family, and job.

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