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Language Test

 

When starting to study English at the University of Siegen, most students are required to take part in a test of their English language proficiency. This Oxford Online Placement Test (OOPT) does not influence the ability to start studying. It is, however, relevant for some language courses (Sprachpraxis 1). The following FAQ will answer all your questions.

When and where will the test be offered?


The language test is usually offered three times during the semester. First during a bigger session 1-2 weeks before the semester begins (we encourage you strongly to take the test then), then in the middle of the semester and finally near the end of the semester. The exact dates are listed below, usually 1-2 weeks after the latest session has taken place. The test will be offered in our Language Lab (AR-D 6103), which you can find in the hallway across from "gelber Hörsaal".

How can I register for the test?


You can sign up online for a time slot for the test:
http://www2.phil.uni-siegen.de/languagetest.

Who is required to take the test?


Every student who has not yet completed the first English language module and is studying for one of the following degrees:
  • Lehramt: GHR, GYM, BK, Gs, HRGe, GyGe
  • Bachelor: SK, LKM (including "Ergänzungsfach" and "kleine Sprache")
  • Master: KFB, LiWi, SW (except for graduates of SK/LAC or LKM/LCMS with "Schwerpunkt" English)

Students are asked to take the test during their first semester, preferably during the ESE week!

You MUST NOT take this test if you are not studying English as part of your course of studies! This course is for English-students only and not intended as a means to check your skills. There are other (free) tests available for checking your skills for yourself, such as Dialang.


What kind of test is it?


The OOPT("Oxford Online Placement Test") is a completely computer-based test. Grammar and vocabulary are tested in listening and reading comprehension exercises; furthermore, active competence is required in productive completion tasks, in which possible phrasings must be typed into blanks in a text. There are two restrictions you should keep in mind while you are taking the test:
  • The audio-clips in the listening-comprehension section can only be played back twice.
  • The overall testing time is limited to 80 minutes. Most people need around 50 minutes to complete the test.

What score is needed to pass?


You should obtain a good B2 level on the European Reference Framework for Languages (Gemeinsamer europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen) scale of A1 (beginner) to C2 (near native speaker). All students who have completed the German "Abitur" (Englisch LK) should be able to achieve this level with no additional practice.

Within the scale of the OOPT, this means we require you to obtain at least 64 out of the maximum of 120 points. If you are only doing English as a "kleine Sprache" during your course of studies, you just need to achieve 62 points.

What happens if I don't achieve the required score?


You will not receive "Scheine" in the first "Sprachpraxis" module of your degree course until you can produce the certificate stating that you have obtained the required level. Your "Scheine" will not become invalid; you will just have to wait for them until you have passed the language test.
Because of the higher proficiency required in "Text Production", students must have obtained the language certificate before they can take this course.

Can I use dictionaries or other, similar items as a help?

No. The purpose of the test is to determine your language skills in various fields. This includes knowledge of common vocabulary items as well. Therefore, no (online-)dictionaries or other little "helpers" are allowed. If we notice the use of anything like this, the testing process will be stopped immediately and the result will be invalid. Usage of any unauthorized materials may also lead to serious academic sanctions, including exmatriculation.

How often am I allowed to repeat the test?


As often as necessary, but you will have to wait for the next block of testing - you can not take the test more than once per session.

If you score less than required on the first attempt, that should be a "wake-up call" for you, but it is no cause for panic. We will give you advice on how to improve your score.

How can I prepare?


Please work through as many of the links in the box below as you find useful. You can also view some English films, watch BBC or CNN television, or read English newspapers/news magazines – or a good novel! Our experience shows that the most common problems with the test are related to a lack of vocabulary, and the easiest way to learn new words and their subtleties is to expose yourself to as much English as possible.

More information about the test is available on the OOPT website:
www.oxfordenglishtesting.com

Test yourself with these language tests!:

  • Dialang Test
    This test is very similar to the QPT, though MUCH larger. If you never did a computer-based language test before, you might want to try the DIALANG test. It also helps to determine where your strengths and weaknesses are.

  • www.testpodium.com  (registration required)


What if I still have questions after reading through these FAQs?


For any inquiries about the language test, please contact Cathy Waegner (waegner@anglistik.uni-siegen.de).

Further Links

Aktualisiert via XIMS am 9.5.2012 von K.-V. Hilpisch