Test Information

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Test Description

The AEAS Assessment is the only set of tests specifically developed or selected for international Primary and Secondary school students wishing to study in Australia.

The AEAS Assessment includes:

English Language Proficiency (2 hours)
Mathematical Reasoning Ability (30-45 minutes)
Non-Verbal General Ability (30 minutes approximately)

Testing takes approximately 3 hours.

1. English Language Proficiency

The new English language tests being introduced in 2004 assess a student’s ability using a threshold approach. This is based on the minimum level of English language proficiency required before an international student can be expected to cope in Australian schools.

From 2004, tests will be introduced for the following year levels:

-	Years 4 & 5
-	Years 6 & 7
-	Years 8 & 9
-	Years 10-12

Years 10-12

	*Sub Test*	*Time Allowed*	*Number of items/tasks*
-	Vocabulary	20 minutes	20 - 25
-	Reading Comprehension	30-35 minutes	20 – 30
-	Writing Skills	30 minutes	1
-	Listening Skills	20 minutes	20 - 25
-	Speaking	10-15 minutes	3 – 4

Vocabulary

The vocabulary subtest:

Comprises at least 20 items;
Tests both passive and active knowledge; and
Includes a variety of item types including multiple choice questions, matching and gap filling.

Reading Comprehension

The reading comprehension subtest:

Comprises two to three texts of different types;
Has 20 – 30 test items;
Includes a range of topics that are appealing and relevant to students’ age and background;
Tests a range of reading skills; and
Includes a variety of item types including multiple choice questions, matching and gap-filling.

Writing

The writing subtest:

Is based on topics of interest and relevance to students’ age and background;
Comprises one task; and
Requires students to write at least 200 words.

Listening

The listening test:

Includes a range of text types including monologue, dialogue and instructions;
comprises four to six texts with at least 20 items;
includes a range of topics appealing and relevant to students’ age and background; and
includes a variety of item types such as multiple choice questions, matching and gap-filling.

Speaking

The speaking subtest:

Is administered face to face and will generally be taped;
Includes 3-4 stages;
Comprises a range of conversational tasks such as questions on familiar and unfamiliar topics, a short presentation on a specified topic and a discussion of pictures; and
Assesses range, complexity and accuracy of vocabulary and grammar, fluency and pronunciation.

The speaking test takes approximately 10-15 minutes. Interviews may be scheduled for the afternoon of the testing session with specific times being allocated to students. Interviews will generally be arranged by your Test Administrator. Please check with them when you arrive for testing to confirm the time of your speaking test.

Years 4-9

	*Sub Test*	*Time Allowed*	*Number of items/tasks*
-	Spelling	20 minutes	20
-	Vocabulary	20 minutes	20
-	Reading Comprehension	30 minutes	20
-	Writing Skills	20 minutes	1
-	Speaking	10-15 minutes	3+
-	Listening Skills	20 minutes	20

The tests for Years 4/5, 6/7 and 8/9 include the same sub tests as for the Years 10-12 tests, however, they also include a Spelling subtest.

Spelling

The Spelling subtest:

includes 20 items;
places misspelled words in context sentences
reflect common errors made by English as second language learners; and
is made up of multiple choice questions.

2. Mathematical Reasoning Ability

The mathematical reasoning tests are available for the following year levels:

		*Time Allowed*	*Number of questions*
-	Years 4 & 5	45 minutes	37
-	Years 6, 7 & 8	45 minutes	39
-	Years 9	45 minutes	30
-	Years 10 & 11	45 minutes	30
-	Year 12	45 minutes	30

All mathematical reasoning tests are multiple choice. The tests are commercially produced and are designed to test understanding of mathematical principles and ideas. If a question involves terms or symbols which the student is not familiar with, they will be explained in sufficient detail to enable the student to answer the question.

The test administrator is able to give the instructions in the students’ primary language. The test for Years 4 and 5 has 37 items, while the test for Years 6-8 has 39 items. Tests for all other year levels have 30 items.

Students are given a maximum time of 45 minutes to complete the test, however, many students finish well before the maximum time available. For this reason, this is usually the last test given to students and the Test Administrator may give permission for the student to leave the test room when they have completed the test.

3. Non-Verbal General Ability

All students complete a multiple choice test free of language which takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The test administrator is able to give the instructions in the students’ primary language.

It is a non-verbal reasoning test that provides an indication of the student’s general ability level. It provides a measure which is independent of learning in specific school subjects.

Test items involve analysing the sequence of an abstract pattern and selecting the next pattern in the sequence from four or five possible answers.

Instructions are only given at the beginning of the test. Students should apply the same principles to all questions in the test.