Foreign Language Assessment Directory (FLAD)

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Name of Test	ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT)

Languages	Albanian, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Danish, English, Farsi/Persian, French, German, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Continental), Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish

Test Description	The American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)© Writing Proficiency Tests measure a candidate's writing ability candidate in a language. The ACTFL WPT measures how well a person spontaneously writes in a language (without access to dictionaries of grammar references) by comparing his/her performance on specific writing tasks with the criteria state in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines - Writing (Revised 2001). Using information gathered in a background survey and self-assessment, each test is adapted to the linguistic competence of the candidate, with subjects tailored to the interests and experiences of the test taker. The test allows the writer to show clearly the full range of her/his writing proficiency in a low-anxiety format. The tasks and prompts are written in English with the expectation that the responses be written in the target language. The WPT is available in 22 languages with new languages added regularly. In 2009, ACTFL introduced the WPT K-12, with content and contexts appropriate for younger language learners from 5th to 12th grade. The ACTFL WPT was favorably reviewed and official ratings are recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE).

Grade Level(s)	9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult

Proficiency Level(s)	ACTFL Novice, ACTFL Intermediate, ACTFL Advanced, ACTFL Superior, ACTFL Distinguished

Intended Test Use	Certification/Licensure, Placement, Proficiency, Credit by Examination, Admission, Fulfilling a Requirement, Diagnostic, Program Evaluation, Summative Evaluation, Formative Evaluation, Professional Purposes, Research, Awards

Skills Tested	Writing

Test Author/Publisher	American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) ©

Publication Date

Test Cost

Test Length	20–80 minute test, depending on the range being assessed

Test Materials	Internet access or booklet form

Test Format	The ACTFL WPT is a proctored, 20–80 minute test, depending on the range being assessed. All responses are open-ended and are written in the target language. The WPT can be written using paper and pencil format or using a computer accessing the internet.

Scoring Method	Rated by ACTFL Certified WPT Raters

Scoring Process	An ACTFL Certified Rater compares the sample to the rating criteria, as described in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines (Revised 2012).

Results Reported	One of ten possible proficiency levels from the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines is assigned.

Administered By	Internet or booklet, proctored locally or in designated test centers

Administered When	On-demand

Administered How	Via internet or booklet with secure access or proctored locally

Administered Where	Globally, locally, at client determined locations, or at designated test centers

Contact Information	+ Show Contact Information

Test Development and Technical Information	Surface, E. A., Dierdorff, E. C., & Poncheri, R. M. (2006, May). The "write" stuff: A preliminary assessment of a writing proficiency test. Paper; Dierdorf, E. And Surface, A. Preliminary Reliability Findings for the ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test., SWA Technical Report, 2004-C04 R01.

Comments	New languages are added regularly. For a current list of languages, please visit www.languagetesting.com.

Parallel Versions in Other Languages

Current Users	Academic, Governmental, and Commercial organizations

Type of FL Program

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