Can I see example placement test questions?

Table of contents

• The Adaptive Placement Test
• The Standard Placement Test

The Adaptive Placement Test

Grammar (example questions)

Multiple-choice questions check grammar adaptively.

1. When 'breaking the ice', it is NOT a good idea to talk about....
   1. your health problems
   2. the weather
   3. a person's work or studies
   4. hobbies
2. Another way to say very 'tired' is...
   1. excellent
   2. starving
   3. exhausted
   4. awful
3. "My name____ Isabelle, and _____ from Canada."
   1. 'm / I am
   2. 's /she's
   3. 's / I'm
   4. 're / you're

Listening  (example questions)

Students hear a short audio clip. They can replay the audio more than once.

1. What is the first step?
   1. Close the book
   2. Read page five
   3. Answer the questions
   4. Write your name
2. What do they finally agree to do?
   1. Email the slides tonight
   2. Wait for the video next week
   3. Review after work tomorrow
   4. Meet early before work to go over the main points
3. What is implied about the speaker's approach to running the workshop?
   1. They are very strict and expect no mistakes
   2. They don't care much about timing or structure
   3. They want lots of interruptions and discussion during the demo
   4. They plan to keep it efficient while still supporting newcomers

Reading (example questions)

Students read a passage, then answer questions about it. Passages range from short and simple to longer and more analytical.

• a discount for a later order
• a new copy of the book
• money returned to the customer
• a message saying sorry

        2. City News: Hill Street Library will be closed on Monday and Tuesday for painting. Story Time for children will move to Park School gym at 10:00 a.m. on Monday. The English Conversation club will meet online at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

What should club members do on Tuesday?

• Meet online at 7:00 p.m.
• Go to the library at 7:00 p.m.
• Meet at Park School gym at 10:00 a.m.
• Wait until Wednesday to meet in person

        3. My father's name is John. He works in a bank and he likes to play football on weekends.

"John works in a school." - True or false?

• True
• False

Writing (example questions)

Students type short written responses. There are usually two prompts.

1. Write 2–3 sentences about what you usually do in your free time.
2. Write 3 sentences about a new hobby you want to try.
   1. What is the hobby?
   2. Why does it look fun?
   3. Where could you do it?

Speaking (example questions)

Students read the prompt (which can also be played in audio format), then record a spoken answer. There are usually three prompts.

1. Questions about daily life:
   1. What do you usually do in the morning?
   2. What is the first thing you do?
   3. What do you do after that?
2. Questions about places (speak for at least 30 seconds, adding as much detail as you can):
   1. Describe your favorite place to spend time.
   2. Where is it?
   3. What does it look like?
   4. What do you usually do there?
   5. Why do you like it?

The Standard Placement Test

Grammar (example questions)

100 multiple-choice questions check grammar across all levels.

1. My mom wasn't angry when I broke the window, but my dad was…
   1. completely furious
   2. absolutely endless
   3. really exhausted
   4. very bad
2. "By the time we arrived on the mountain to ski, the snow had melted." So:
   1. The snow melted after we arrived
   2. The snow started melting when we arrived
   3. The snow melted before we arrived
   4. First we arrived, then the snow melted
3. Which is correct?
   1. When starts the wedding?
   2. What did happen here?
   3. Who wants some cake?
   4. Where you will go?

Listening (example questions)

1. What is the main purpose of this announcement?
   1. To invite people to join a new yoga class
   2. To describe pool rules at the center
   3. To inform visitors about a temporary schedule change
   4. To explain how to use the gym equipment
2. After you go down the stairs, which door should you enter?
   1. The first door on the right at the top of the stairs
   2. The first door on the left at the bottom of the stairs
   3. The elevator next to the reception desk
   4. The second door on the right at the bottom of the stairs
3. Where will most of the work happen?
   1. In the park
   2. In the community center lobby
   3. In the school gym
   4. In the parking lot near the mall

Reading (example questions)

         1. John was very tired after the long hike. He sat down on a rock and drank some water. After resting for a while, he felt refreshed and continued walking.

What does "refreshed" most likely mean?

• Feeling cold
• Feeling hungry
• Feeling better and less tired
• Feeling tired

         2. Bus 45 goes to the airport every 30 minutes. The first bus leaves at 5:00 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 11:00 p.m. You can buy tickets online or at the station.

When does the first bus leave?

• At 6:00 a.m.
• At 7:00 a.m.
• At 8:00 a.m.
• At 5:00 a.m.

        3.  When our neighborhood library moved to a smaller building, I felt unsure. The old place was crowded but familiar. Last Saturday I finally visited the new one. It has fewer shelves, but the windows bring in warm light, and there is a quiet area for homework. A volunteer helped me find a travel book, and a group of children listened to a short story. I still miss the big reading chairs, yet the space feels calm and welcoming. I think the move may help more people use the library.

What is the writer's main purpose and tone?

• To warn people about problems at the new library; tone: angry
• To describe the move and suggest it could be good; tone: helpful
• To give rules for using the library; tone: formal
• To tell a funny story about books; tone: playful

Writing (example questions)

Students type short written responses to a prompt.

1. Write 2–3 sentences about what you usually do after school or work.
2. Your company wants to develop a training program for new workers. Write a message to your manager explaining why training is important and include examples of what skills or knowledge the program should teach.

Speaking (example questions)

Students read the prompt, then record a spoken answer.

1. Questions about places:
   1. Tell me about a place near your home.
   2. What can people do there?
   3. How often do you go there?
2. Questions about places and spending time with other people:
   1. Tell me about a place where people meet in your community.
   2. What do people do there?
   3. How often do you go?