PSI English Tests Pretesting
Language testing and assessment research activity in collaboration with higher education institutions, language schools and language training providers.
What is pretesting?
Pretesting is a key tool in ensuring that our English language tests are of the highest quality and is an essential stage in the test development cycle. It allows us to evaluate our tests before they are presented to real test takers for whom the results are of crucial importance.
Already doing pretesting for PSI English Tests, or want to participate for the first time? Download our resources here: Handbook for institutions, flyers for students, and more.
By partnering with higher education institutions and language training providers like yourselves to undertake this important research activity, we will:
- review the quality and performance of tasks and questions
- collect data on how long it takes test takers of different abilities to complete the tests
- get feedback from test takers on their experience of using our systems and the tests themselves
- conduct research on PSI English language tests
Get involved in pretesting!
Pretesting is available for learners at levels B1, B2, C1 and C2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). This is an ongoing research activity and we invite interested institutions to join the programme at any point in the year.
In 2023 students can be taking the pretests between mid-July and the end of October.
Interested? Get in touch to find out more!
The pretesting research activity will be of greatest benefit to:
with students on summer English courses, pre-sessional courses or foundation programs with EFL or ESOL as a requirement
preparing students for entrance into a further or higher institution
with students who require an entrance examination to begin in-sessional programs
Why get involved?
PSI offers a range of benefits for participating students, teachers and the institutions.
These sessions can contribute towards continuing professional development of your teachers and staff. It will also provide your students with a valuable opportunity to sit in the environment of a high-stakes English language test.
An external assessment of the student’s English proficiency level
A score for each part of the test and an indication of the student’s level in relation to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
Training sessions on the principles of assessment and language testing
How pretesting is delivered
The pretest is taken by students at home, via secure live online proctored delivery. The test is monitored by a live human proctor. The student won’t hear or see the proctor, but will be able to interact with them whenever they need, via the chat toolbar.
To find out more about the live online proctored test experience, download the handbook.
If you have questions about how the test is delivered, contact us and our team will be in touch!
Information for participating institutions
Thank you for your interest in taking part in our pretesting activity. Download the documents below to get your teachers and students ready for pretesting events.
Pretesting English Language Tests
Handbook for participating institutions (PDF).
Flyer for students
Get a free indication of your CEFR level (PDF).
Guidance for students
Academic English pretesting information for students (PDF).
