QAHE English Language Testing Policy

QA Higher Education
English Language Testing

Policy
Document version Last updated Updated by Date of next

review
Version 1.1 31/07/2019 Partnerships
Version 2 27/08/2021 Head of Shared
Services & Agency
Management
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to clearly outline the booking, test confirmation and
results issuance processes for the QA Higher Education (QAHE) English Language
Test. It will provide clear guidance on the processes for Internal and External
applicants looking to sit the English language test as well as confirming what is
required from applicants for their test to be confirmed and conducted. Result
issuance will also be covered as well as the processes for non-
confirmation/attendance of tests and the retake procedure for applicants who fail
to meet their required score.
This policy is the responsibility of the Head of Shared Services and Agency
Management.
1. Test overview
The QAHE English language test is an online testing solution suitable for University
admission to all Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses offered by QAHE and
its University Partners. The test consists of four components; Speaking, Reading,
Listening and Writing. The speaking component of the test is conducted on Skype
using a recorded video call. The applicant is then sent a link to QAHE’s secure
online test management system to complete the remaining three components
(reading, writing & listening) during the entire test the student must remain on
skype so the assessment team can invigilate the test.
1.1 Test structure
Section Time
Speaking 11 – 14 minutes (approx.)
Listening 30 minutes
Reading 60 minutes
Writing 40 minutes
1.2 Component structure - Speaking
Part Time Category

1 3 – 4 minutes Introduction and interview on familiar topics
2 4 – 5 minutes Individual Long Turn or Extended Speaking or Monologue
3 3 – 4 minutes Two-Way Discussion or Topic Discussion
1.3 Component structure - Listening
The Listening part of the test consists of 4 sections and there are 10 questions in
each section. You will begin by reading the instructions and then you will read the
questions for section 1, listen to section 1, and answer the questions.
This procedure is repeated for sections 2, 3 and 4.

1.4 Component structure - Reading
The Reading part of the test consists of 3 passages and there are 40 questions in
total.
A variety of question types is used. You may be asked to:
QA Higher Education English Language Testing Policy version 2 2

• fill gaps in a passage of written text or in a table
• match headings to written text to diagrams or charts
• complete sentences
• give short answers to open questions
• answer multiple choice questions
Sometimes you will need to give one word as your answer, sometimes a short
phrase, and sometimes simply a letter, number or symbol.
1.4 Component structure - Writing

In the Writing task, applicants will be asked to write an essay in response to a point
of view, argument or problem. There is only ONE essay applicants will need to
complete and they will need to write no less than 250 words.
2. Booking process – Internal applicants
Test Applicants are classified as internal if they have made an application to study
QAHE branch campus, university centre or Pathway College.
For an Internal Applicant to be eligible to sit the QAHE English test they are
required to have submitted a completed application to Admissions, either directly
to QAHE or through an approved QAHE Agent and have received a conditional
offer for their chosen course of study.
The Internal Applicant can request a booking here.
Once a booking request is received the applicant will receive confirmation of their
proposed test date and time within 48 hours (subject to them having met the
requirements detailed above). All test applicants will receive a confirmation email.
This email also provides full advice and guidance on the test regulations, test
structure and a declaration form all applicants are required to complete and
return no later than three day prior to their proposed test date/time. This can be
viewed here. Only once a completed declaration form and confirmed Skype ID is
provided will the test be confirmed with the assessment team. Tests will not be
conducted.
3. Booking process – External applicants

An external applicant is defined as an applicant who has applied to study at one of
QAHE’s University partner’s campuses. QAHE’s current University partners can be
found here: qahighereducation.com/partner-institutions
To request an English test, the admissions department who is processing the
application for attendance to their main campus, needs to send an email to
[email protected] and provide key information required to make an
English test booking together with the following;
• Valid Passport
• Conditional offer letter
Without the above documents QAHE are unable to process any test bookings for
external applicants.

Once a completed request has been submitted QAHE will contact the student
with a proposed test date and time within 48 hours and this will be confirmed to
the applicant via email. The applicant is then expected to read the full test
guidance given as well as to read, complete and sign the test declaration form.
Only once a test declaration and correct skype ID is provided will the test be
confirmed and conducted.
4. Rescheduling the test
We understand that on occasion the applicant may not be able to attend a test
that has been booked and confirmed. In this instance and depending on when
notice was provided and the circumstances of why the applicant is unable to take
the test, they will be allowed reschedule their test.
If the test is rescheduled later than 4 months from the original test date, another
declaration will need to be completed. The rescheduled test will not proceed
without the updated declaration.
5. Resitting the test
If the applicant has not achieved the required score to meet the conditions of their
offer, the assessor will advise on when the test can be retaken.
If the test is required to be taken with 4 months, the applicant is not required to
complete another declaration form. For applicants who have to wait longer than 4
months to re-sit the test, another declaration will be required before the second
test booking can be confirmed.
6. Applicants who fail to confirm or do not attend the test booked
Where applicants fail to confirm their test (at all or in good time) by completed the
declaration form and verifying their Skype ID, the test will be cancelled, and no
further bookings will be allowed.
Where applicants have confirmed the test but do not attend, no further bookings
will be allowed.
7. Malpractice during tests
All Applicants receive full test terms and conditions and are expected to have read
and understood these prior to starting their test. This is confirmed by signing and
submitting the declaration. Should an incident of a breach of the test terms and
conditions occur during the test, the examiner will terminate the test will
immediately effect and the applicant will not be allowed to book another test.
Should applicants wish the challenge the decision of the examiner, they must
submit a request in writing to [email protected]. This will then be
reviewed (along with the test recording) by the Head of English Language
Assessment who will determine if the applicant will be allowed to re-sit the test.
8. Loss of connection during tests

QAHE fully understand that in some region’s internet connections are not
consistent. Although applicants are encouraged to check this ahead of their test
and, if necessary, make arrangements to take the test at a venue with a strong
internet connection. (NB: the chosen venue must still comply with the QAHE test
regulations).

In the event of connection loss during a test the examiner will confirm which parts
of the tests have been completed and what elements the applicant will need to
complete on their next attempt. If applicants have not fully completed any section
of the test, the applicant will be provided another booking to complete the
outstanding sections of the test.
Applicants will need to book and take the test for the outstanding sections within
three weeks from the date of their initial test, otherwise the applicant will be
required to complete the full test again.
9. Results issuance
Results are issued between two and five working days from completion of the test.
Applicants who completed the test will receive a test certificate detailing their
results. These certificates are only suitable for admissions purposes at either a
QAHE franchised campus, centre or collage as well a QAHE university partners
campuses.

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QA Higher Education

English Language Testing

Document version Last updated Updated by Date of next

1.2 Component structure - Speaking

Part Time Category

1.3 Component structure - Listening

This procedure is repeated for sections 2, 3 and 4.

A variety of question types is used. You may be asked to:

QA Higher Education English Language Testing Policy version 2 2

1.4 Component structure - Writing

2. Booking process – Internal applicants

The Internal Applicant can request a booking here.

3. Booking process – External applicants

QA Higher Education English Language Testing Policy version 2 3

5. Resitting the test

6. Applicants who fail to confirm or do not attend the test booked

7. Malpractice during tests

8. Loss of connection during tests

QA Higher Education English Language Testing Policy version 2 4

QA Higher Education English Language Testing Policy version 2 5

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