This article provides information on how to prepare for and administer ALC tests to your students. Detailed test day administration instructions are linked at the bottom of this article.
The following topics are covered here:
Preparation
The following steps need to be completed ahead of time:
- Check the technical requirements and run the browser exam from a student device to identify any potential technical issues.
- Schedule your testing date and time. It is best to administer tests in the morning and not immediately before or after an exciting school event.
- Ensure that all students are listed within your school's online assessment account and have been assigned the necessary tests.
- Review and assign appropriate test levels to all students according to their ability.
- Download or print a list of your students' login details.
- Make note of your school's online assessment login page, or make sure that the URL is saved on student devices, or available to your students as a link. The address will be similar to https://oars.acer.edu.au/your-school-name.
Related articles:
Practice material
Practice materials can be used to help students prepare for the content covered by the tests.
Please note that practice materials are not available for all languages and levels.
Instructions
Time
Schools will need to set aside some classroom hours for the assessment.
- Set up/administration: 10 minutes
- Listening: approximately 40 minutes
- Reading: approximately 40 minutes
Please note that the method of analysis used for the ALC is based on the assumption that students have enough time to complete all the questions that they are able to do. That is why, at the end of each test session, teachers are advised to allow an extra few minutes to any students who are still working profitably.
Conditions
Students require a computer/device with internet access and individual earphones/headphones for the listening component.
No dictionaries or other reference materials are permitted.
- Tests should be administered under standard testing conditions with invigilation.
- Students' screens should be monitored as part of test invigilation.
- Students are permitted to use pen/pencil and paper to make notes during the test.
If you determine that some students require changed testing conditions due to specific learning needs, these changes should be recorded for future reference. The process for determining and implementing any changes to test conditions should be consistent between classes and across the school.
Delivery
- Students will not be automatically locked out after the allowed time passes. You must monitor and manage the time, including accommodating toilet breaks or other interruptions that may occur.
- Student responses are automatically saved each time they navigate to another item (question).
- If technical problems cause the need to postpone, students may close the browser without losing their progress.
- iPads and tablet devices must be held in landscape orientation.