Saturday 25 August 2012

CAEL Examination


CAEL






The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) is a standardized test of English in use for academic purposes. It is designed to describe the level of English language of test.
The CAEL Assessment tests ability to use English as it is used in Canadian universities and colleges. It allows test takers to experience what it is like to participate in a Canadian post secondary classroom.

The CAEL Assessment offers a unique alternative to other standardized tests of English because it is a topic-based performance test. It comprises an integrated set of language activities. Test takers read articles, listen to a lecture, answer questions and write a short essay – all on one subject.

The language tasks and activities in the CAEL Assessment are systematically sampled from those which are commonly undertaken within the academic community.

 CAEL Exam Format



Reading Section

The Reading section takes approximately 50 minutes to complete, the total time for the test is approximately 2 hours and 15 mins.

Test takers are given two readings that are on the same topic as the Listening Section and the Writing Section.

Listening Section

The Listening Section takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, the total time for the test is approximately 2 hours and 15 mins.

Test takers listen to a pre-recorded lecture on the same topic as the Reading Section and the Writing Section.
The lecture is adapted from a first-year university course.
The recording is played only once.
Test takers answer questions while they are listening.
While they listen, test takers take notes and respond to tasks related to the lecture.


Writing Section

The Writing Section takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, the total time for the test is approximately 2 hours and 15 mins.

It is always the final task of the test.
The essay topic is always provided at the beginning of the test.
Test takers should use the information from the Reading Section and the Listening Section to write their essay.
The essays are typically one to two pages in length.
The essay topic asks the test taker to:
agree or disagree with a claim
argue for or against a position
discuss advantages and disadvantages of a course of action
Test takers are encouraged to plan their essays before they begin writing.


Speaking Section: The CAEL Assessment Oral Language Test (OLT)

The Oral Language Test is a tape-mediated test of spoken English in use for academic purposes.

It takes approximately 25 minutes to complete.

The test consists of five tasks which represent ways in which students talk about their academic work within colleges and universities.

Speaking tasks include the following:

making short presentations
relaying information
explaining choices
summarizing main points
listening and responding to group discussions