April 7, 2026: Adaptive Placement Test (Writing)
The Adaptive Placement Test now includes Writing, so teachers can assess writing proficiency independently in about 10 minutes.
Who this is for: Teachers | Category: Assessments | Type: New Feature 🚀
What changed
Video: In a Minute: Placement Tests
We've added a Writing section to the Adaptive Placement Test. Unlike the Grammar, Reading, and Listening sections, which use multiple-choice questions, the Writing section asks students to complete two written tasks. The complexity of the second task adapts based on the student's response to the first, so the assessment adjusts to meet the student in real time. The full section takes approximately 10 minutes. Teachers can assign Writing on its own or in any combination with Grammar, Reading, and Listening.
Why it matters
Writing is the domain where teachers have the least visibility before a student actually produces something in class — and it's often the domain that creates the biggest surprises. A student can score well on grammar and reading but struggle to construct a coherent written response. An LTEL might speak fluently but hit a wall when asked to put ideas on paper. Those gaps don't surface in a multiple-choice test.
The Writing section addresses this directly. Because it evaluates actual student writing rather than recognition of correct answers, it gives teachers a realistic picture of where a student's productive writing skills are. That makes it especially useful at the start of year when making placement decisions, before assigning writing-heavy content like the Step-by-Step Curriculum or WIDA ACCESS Writing prep lessons, or when a coordinator needs a data point on writing proficiency that goes beyond classroom observation.
With Writing now available, the Adaptive Placement Test covers four of the five planned sections: Grammar, Reading, Listening, and Writing. Speaking is planned to launch later.
How to use it
Follow the same workflow as the other sections: hover over the Teacher menu, select Placement Test, choose the Adaptive Placement Test, then select whichever combination of sections you want to assign. Writing appears alongside Grammar, Reading and Listening in the section picker.
Related article: Placement Test & Learning Plan
Related article: How can I assign the placement test?
See also: Adaptive Placement Test (Grammar & Reading) and Adaptive Placement Test (Listening)
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