English Test for Academic

and
Professional Purposes

(ETAPP)

Handbook

The Test of Interactive English (TIE) is administered by IELT

Interactive English Language Tests Ltd

© IELT Interactive English Language Tests Ltd 2019

 INTRODUCTION

The English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes (ETAPP) is designed specifically to meet the
needs of the following sectors:

international students who intend to undertake third level education;

professionals who wish to enhance their professional profile by demonstrating a competence in
English.

This is the first test of its kind developed in Ireland to meet the needs of international students and
professional people studying or working in Ireland. It is designed to reflect Irish academic and professional
contexts. ETAPP was initiated in direct response to a need articulated by the various academic and
professional sectors for an English language exam fit for purpose within our national context.

This handbook aims to provide all stakeholders – educational institutions, agents, teachers, and students –
with the essential information about ETAPP. More information can be obtained from the TIE website -
www.ielt.ie/etapp and through other publications available on application from IELT Interactive English
Language Tests Ltd – [email protected]

WHAT IS ETAPP?

ETAPP is a skills-based exam designed to identify each candidate’s level of proficiency in English. The
test is designed to assess learners’ communicative competence and interactive skills in both predictable and
non-predictable situations within general academic and professional contexts. It assesses the students’ level
of language knowledge, language ability and language use in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

ETAPP was developed by TIE Examinations Ltd in collaboration with the Advisory Council for English
Language Schools (ACELS), the government agency responsible for quality assurance in English language
teaching in Ireland. Under the guidance of international experts in the field of language testing and
assessment, a stringent process of development was followed to ensure that the test is valid and rigorous,
and grades learners according to their level of competence in English.

PREPARING FOR ETAPP

Candidates need to do two tasks in preparation for the oral component of ETAPP. There is no specific
preparation required for the other components of the test but candidates should familiarise themselves with
the test format and the sample material.

© IELT Interactive English Language Tests Ltd 2019 2

 TEST FORMAT

ETAPP consists of four components:

The Listening exam (30 minutes)
The Reading exam (75 minutes)
The Writing exam (60 minutes)
The Speaking exam (30 minutes)

All components are compulsory. The components are designed to enable candidates to demonstrate their
knowledge and ability in English in formal and semi-formal situations relevant to academic and
professional contexts. All components of the test are normally scheduled to be taken on the same day.

Listening (30minutes in total):

• 1 lecture type transactional listening (4 mins)
• 3-4 interactional texts (mini dialogues) (2 mins per dialogue)
N.B: the lecture task will involve note-taking leading into a writing task where
information may be reformulated.
(Please note that the listening is played ONCE only)

Reading (1 hour 15 minutes):

• 1 extensive text (topic related to lecture text)
• 1 shorter, more intensive text.
N.B: topic areas for longer texts taken from the Social Sciences (e.g. War and
Peace, Crime and Punishment, Health, Environment etc).

Writing (1 hour):
• 1 discursive essay of approximately 250 words
• 1 shorter text of approximately 75words e.g. an email to a tutor
N.B: some of the input for the first part of the writing paper will be taken from the
reading and listening texts.

Speaking (30 minutes):

• oral presentation on a prepared topic
• review of source material used in presentation
• 1:1 interaction with examiner
• interaction with partner

Candidates always take the Listening and Reading components before the Writing component. This is
because input from the Listening and Reading components may be used by candidates in the Writing
section. The Speaking test may be taken before or after the other tests.

Sample papers for Listening, Reading and Writing as well as further details on the format of the Speaking
test are available in the “downloads” section of this website.

© IELT Interactive English Language Tests Ltd 2019

 ASSESSMENT

Assessment follows the Council of Europe Framework of Reference (CEFR) scale of language proficiency
and has been devised to identify the levels B1, B2 and C1, which are the key points for entry to
foundation year, pre-sessional or undergraduate and postgraduate courses. These levels also correspond to
the levels required for entry into professional areas such as medicine, banking, IT, etc, .and serve as
neutral and formal indicators of competence for professional purposes. The test is comparable to IELTS
and TOEFL in content and objective. Scores are reported as follows:

ETAPP Score Academic Domain Professional Domain

B1 or B1+ Foundation Courses An independent user: can
(6-12 months’ duration) function in general common
contexts with significant support
B2 or B2+ Pre-sessional Courses An independent user: can
(3 to 6 months’ duration) function in general contexts with
some support.
C1 (or higher) Undergraduate/Postgraduate Courses A proficient user: needing
support only in specific
situations.

The above table is a guide to the level required. Individual institutions will have their own requirements
for specific courses, and scores in individual modules should be considered as well as the overall score.
For example, if a course has a substantial reading and writing requirement but few lectures, the primary
interest may be in the grades obtained in these two skills. However, for a context in which the emphasis is
on the aural and oral skills, listening and speaking skills may be considered most important.
A discrete score is reported for each component of the test. The individual component scores are then
averaged to produce an overall score reported as a Council of Europe level.

CEFR Global Descriptors

Level Descriptor
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school,
B1 leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences
and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical
B2 discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes
regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed
text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and
disadvantages of various options.

Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express
C1 him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language
flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured,
detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive
devices.

© IELT Interactive English Language Tests Ltd 2019

 EXAMINERS

All ETAPP examiners are well-qualified and experienced English language teachers who receive regular
training and ongoing support in oral examining.

The ETAPP oral assessment is carried out by two trained examiners, an interlocutor and an assessor. All
interviews are recorded for standardisation and quality assurance purposes.

Writing papers are marked by two trained examiners working independently. If there is a discrepancy
between the grades awarded by the two examiners, then the paper is referred to the Chief Examiner for a
final decision.

CERTIFICATION

After taking ETAPP, each successful candidate is awarded a certificate showing an overall grade as well
as discrete grades for each component of the test. Results are available within 14 working days.
Candidates receive one copy of their certificate. Verification of results can be sent to additional receiving
institutions within 24 months of the exam on application in writing to IELT Interactive English Language
Tests Ltd. An additional fee will be charged for this service.

TEST RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY

Rigorous procedures have taken place in line with testing validation mechanisms to ensure the reliability
and validity of the test. The psychometric qualities of the test paper were estimated during the trials using
a combination of classical and IRT-based test statistics. Evidence from these analyses confirmed that the
quality of the test as a whole was high. For the productive skills, high levels of rater agreement were
recorded (using correlation analysis and Multi-Faceted Rasch analysis), while the tasks and assessment
criteria were found to be stable. In addition, high levels of agreement on level, in relation to the Common
European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) were found.

VALIDITY OF TEST SCORE

Test scores are considered valid for a period of 24 months from the date of the test. For validity purposes,
it is recommended that older test scores would need to be supported by evidence that a learner has actively
maintained or tried to improve his/her language ability in the intervening period, before the scores can be
considered a valid assessment of the learner’s current ability in English.

© IELT Interactive English Language Tests Ltd 2019

 RECHECK OF RESULTS

A check of results may be requested by applying in writing to IELT Interactive English Language Tests
Ltd. All requests must be received within a maximum of 20 working days after results have been issued.
All components are re-marked following normal procedures. There is a fee for this service, refundable if
the appeal is successful. Information on the appeals procedure and fee is available from [email protected].

REPLACEMENT OF CERTIFICATES

Certificates are not reissued. A statement of results can be issued within a 24 month period of the date of
the test. There is a charge for this service. Results statements for tests taken more than 24 months
previously cannot be provided.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Candidates with permanent or long-term conditions, including visual and hearing difficulties, or specific
learning difficulties which they believe will significantly impair their performance in the examination,
may apply for reasonable accommodation to be made to facilitate them taking the examination. Any
candidate with special needs must make these known at the time of registration for the test.

© IELT Interactive English Language Tests Ltd 2019

 Test Modules

1. LISTENING

Duration and Format

The Listening Test takes approximately 30 minutes. The test consists of two sections with a total of
35 items.

Section 1
- consists of 3-4 interactional texts in the form of mini dialogues followed by multiple-choice
questions.

Section 2
- consists of 1 lecture-type transactional listening text. A variety of task types are used, e.g.,
• multiple choice
• sentence completion
• note-taking
• short answer questions

The lecture task involves note-taking, leading into the writing task where information may be
reformulated. The topic areas for the lecture are taken from social sciences (e.g. War and Peace,
Crime and Punishment, Education, The Environment etc).

The Listening Test is recorded on CD and each section is played ONCE only.
A range of native-speaker English accents are used in the recordings.
Candidates are given two minutes to read the tasks at the beginning of each section and time during
the test to write their answers on the Question Paper.
At the end of the test candidates are given an additional ten minutes to transfer their answers from
the Question Paper to an Answer Sheet

Marking and Assessment

The short dialogues are rated on such aspects as:
• identification of speaker
• message function
• attitudes and relationships
The lecture type task is rated on such aspects as:
• identification of key information
• recognition of discourse features regarding text organisation and function
• identification of key lexis

© IELT Interactive English Language Tests Ltd 2019

 2. READING

Duration and Format

The Reading Test takes 75 minutes. There are two reading passages with a total of 35 items.

Text 1 (approx. 1500 words) is an extensive text related in terms of topic to the lecture type listening
text.

Text 2 is shorter (approx. 600 words) and requires more intensive reading.

A variety of question types are used e.g.

• multiple choice
• sentence completion
• note-taking
• short answer questions
• matching headings to paragraphs
• putting sentences in order
• identification of writer’s view

Texts are taken from newspapers, magazines, academic journals and books. Topics are taken from
the social sciences and do not assume any specialised knowledge.

The texts and questions are included on the Question Paper but answers must be recorded on a
separate Answer Sheet. The Question Paper must not be removed from the exam room but may be
retained until after the Writing Test.

Marking and Assessment

Task 1 is designed to test global reading skills which require the examinee to read the full text at
speed and to perform tasks using the skills such as outlined below:
• identifying the topic, main theme and the main ideas of the text
• identifying how the main ideas of the text are organised and relate to each other
• extracting required/specified facts from the surface of the text
The focus of Task 2 is on careful reading and requires the candidate to use skills such as:
• identifying and understanding in detail the main ideas from the text
• identifying and accurately understanding how the main ideas of the text and their supporting
ideas are organised and relate to each other

© IELT Interactive English Language Tests Ltd 2019

 3. WRITING

Duration and Format

The Writing test takes 60 minutes. There are two tasks. The first task requires an answer of
approximately 250 words and should take a maximum of 40 minutes to complete. The second task
requires an answer of approximately 75 words and should take a maximum of 20 minutes to complete.

Task 1 is an academic essay of approximately 250 words on the same general topic as the listening
and reading papers. Candidates may use some of the input from the reading and listening texts to
answer the question but candidates should be careful to use their own words. This task is designed
to test candidates’ ability to synthesise the input and produce an organised and coherent text in answer
to a specific prompt.

Task 2 is a shorter text of approximately 75 words e.g. an e-mail to a tutor.

This task is designed to test candidates’ ability to communicate appropriately (explain, express an
opinion, request information etc) in answer to a specific prompt.

Candidates write their answers in the space provided on the question paper. All rough work must be
handed in at the end of the exam.

Marking and Assessment

Each writing paper is assessed by two examiners working independently. Detailed performance
descriptors have been developed based on the CEFR scale and on task-specific criteria for academic
writing. All criteria carry equal weight.

• Organisation and coherence measures a candidate’s ability to produce appropriately

organised and developed text with relevant supporting detail and a logical progression of
content.
• Format and Content measures the candidate’s ability to produce clear, well-structured text in
an appropriate genre for a specified audience.
• Sentence Construction and Vocabulary measures the candidate’s ability to demonstrate
effective use of correct sentences of varying length, use of transitions, and control of idiom,
word form and register.
• Task Achievement assesses how appropriately, accurately and relevantly the candidate
responds to the tasks set.
• Accuracy refers to the accurate and appropriate use of the candidate’s grammatical and lexical
resources.
• Range and Complexity refers to the variety of language and vocabulary at the candidate’s
disposal and his/her ability to select appropriately from it.
• Orthographic Control assesses the candidate’s control of the conventions of layout, spelling
and punctuation.

The overall and discrete skill scores are reported as CEFR levels.

© IELT Interactive English Language Tests Ltd 2019

 4. SPEAKING

Duration and Format

The Speaking Test takes 30 minutes. There are five components.

The Speaking Test is done in pairs with two examiners - an interlocutor and an assessor - and is
recorded. The test assesses the ability of both candidates to interact with each other, as well as with the
interlocutor. The assessor does not take part in the interaction.

Candidates need to do two tasks in preparation for the oral component of ETAPP. Learners select their
own topics and materials, and decide how to develop each task. In addition, there are two unprepared
tasks in the test, which require the learners to respond to unpredictable situations. Assessment is made
according to how well each candidate performs in carrying out these tasks.

ETAPP candidates are required to do the following preparation for the test:

1. Prepare a presentation on a subject of interest to themselves.

2. Bring one source they found useful in preparing their presentation to the test and tell the
examiner about it. This may be a book; an article from a newspaper, magazine or academic journal; or
some information from the internet.

Marking and Assessment

Detailed performance descriptors (see below) have been developed based on the CEFR Scale. All
criteria carry equal weight.
• Interaction refers to the candidate’s ability to interact with his/her partner and the examiner
• Communicative Effectiveness refers to the candidate’s ability to convey his/her message
• Accuracy refers to the accurate and appropriate use of the candidate’s grammatical resources.
• Range and Complexity refers to the variety of language at the candidate’s disposal and his/her
ability to select appropriately from it.
• Phonological Control refers to the candidate’s ability to produce comprehensible speech at
word and sentence level to fulfill the demands of the test level to fulfill the demands of the test.

In addition, task-specific criteria have been developed, based on the CEFR descriptors for academic
performance. Tasks 1 and 2 assess a candidate’s ability in addressing audiences; Task 3 looks at a
candidate’s ability to interact with the examiner and Task 4 assesses the candidate’s problem-solving
ability.

© IELT Interactive English Language Tests Ltd 2019

 Format and Timing of Speaking Test

Component Timing Task

Introduction 3 mins Candidates are invited to introduce themselves and say

(spontaneous) something about their studies or career plans.

Presentation 8 mins Candidates make a presentation on their prepared topic and are
(prepared) asked to comment or ask questions on the topic presented by
their partner. Presentation and participation are tested here.

Source Material 8 mins Candidates present one written source they found particularly
(prepared) useful in preparing their presentation - this may be a book; an
article from a newspaper, magazine or journal; or something
from the internet. Candidates should be prepared to explain why
they found the material particularly informative. Candidates
must bring a copy of the material to the test.

Interaction with the 6 mins Candidates interact individually with the examiner. Candidates
Examiner are presented with a choice of 3 topics for discussion and the
(spontaneous) examiner invites them to give and support their opinion on the
topic in question.

Problem-Solving Task 5 mins Candidates work together to find solutions to a problem, or

(spontaneous) agree on a plan of action.

© IELT Interactive English Language Tests Ltd 2019

 APPLICATION PROCEDURES

ETAPP is available for candidates all year round and dates are posted on the website. Exam sessions
are carefully coordinated and monitored in order to ensure that quality is assured in all aspects of the
test.

Applications should be received a minimum of 10 working days before the test date. Application
forms are available for downloading from our website.

ETAPP is normally taken at the IELT Centre. Arrangements can be made for groups of candidates in
other locations on request. For exam session dates, please check the website.

If you would like to find out more about any aspect of ETAPP, please contact:

IELT - Interactive English Language Tests

45, Leeson Street Lower,
Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel.: (+353) 1 662 5991
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.ielt.ie

© IELT Interactive English Language Tests Ltd 2019