What more can be done for tests other than just putting the test online with some fancy layouts? Adaptivity is the way forward.
Adaptive tests: The detail
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IELTS for teachers
Reading is the new Speaking
How can we best equip migrants with the language skills they need to integrate effectively into their communities? It starts with Reading.
IELTS: What the candidates say
Road to IELTS runs around five million sessions every year for candidates hoping to achieve the IELTS band score they need. Read one candidate’s experience of using Road to IELTS.
Clarity at 30: Down memory lane
Some of our partners and customers have been with us since we started 30 years ago. Here are a few memories from the early days.
Question bank: Review and renew
The reliability and validity of a placement test lies in the quality of the questions. So what is the key to a good question bank?
Do students prefer digital or paper-based tests?
In a previous post, we looked at how Directors of the Language Centre at Universitas Indonesia postulated that a digital test is more appropriate for this generation of students. We have now been able to survey test takers on this question. Here are the findings.
Placement test results: what do they mean?
Andrew Stokes reminds us of the purpose of a placement test (with thanks to Laura Edwards of telc Language Tests for her input).
How to take an online test when you have no internet access
Andrew Stokes explains how an online test can support those with unreliable connectivity — or no Internet access at all.
The importance of placement testing
As both a teacher and test developer I often have the feeling that the seemingly related fields of teaching and testing are in reality worlds apart. Being active in both fields, I try to mediate, to put it in CEFR terms. On one hand, as a test developer I want to measure skills and collect empirical data on my subjects. On the other hand, I am a compassionate teacher (I think) and I really do want all my students to do well.
A world in lockdown: adapting to remote testing
Amongst the many disruptions caused by the covid-19 pandemic has been the closure of IELTS test centres and widespread postponement of IELTS tests. For most students, schools and universities this has brought the academic application process to a halt – but not for all.
mLearning and Study Skills Success
How important is it for students to be able to access learning materials on their smartphones? This post looks at some fascinating trends.
Three practical ideas for teaching pronunciation
With pronunciation neglected in so many English courses, we look at why technology is particularly suited to building confidence in both teachers and students.
Tips for Successful Language Learning
This wonderful book includes all those teaching and learning ideas you thought of over the years – but forgot to write down. Read Andrew Stokes’ review.
Back to school: Five essential skills
There are two types of students – those who can study independently and those who can’t. Both need help when they arrive at university.
Preparing for departure: A secondary school’s experience with Study Skills Success
Charlotte Kwok speaks to a secondary school teacher about her experience using Study Skills Success – summer use, graded participation and the challenges.
Speaking tests: dramatically changing the outcome
In the second most popular TED Talk of all time, Amy Cuddy comes to the intriguing, evidence-based conclusion that altering the way we stand for just two minutes before an evaluative situation — a presentation or an exam — really can lead to better outcomes. ‘We know...
Free British Council IELTS prep tools
Most IELTS candidates leave their test preparation to the last minute. When they go into the test centre, they discover they don’t understand the question types, they’re not sure how to allocate their time efficiently, and they don’t know what the examiner is looking...