English Language Proficiency
Test for New Students (Undergrad)

Guidelines | About the Test | Specimen Questions

 

Guidelines for Proficiency Test

ALL applicants to the University are required to take a Proficiency Test in English. The application for the test may be obtained at the same time as the normal application form from the Student Affairs Section at Cave Hill, Mona or St. Augustine, or from Resident Tutors or University Representatives in Non-Campus Countries. Students who have obtained Grade I in CXC General Proficiency in English A are exempted from taking this test.

Those who pass, or are exempted from the test, do two of the Level I Foundation Language courses: FOUN1001, FOUN1002, or FOUN1003.

Those who fail are required to pass the remedial course FOUN0100: Fundamentals of Written English and then do the two Level I Foundation Courses afterwards. FOUN0100 Fundamentals of Written English is coordinated by the Language Learning Centre of the Faculty of Humanities and Education and is offered in both semesters for a fee of Bds $500 and in the Summer School for the regular Summer School fee.

 

About the test

The test lasts for two hours and covers the following areas:

• Grammar
  
  Candidates are required to answer alternative/ multiple choice items on any or all of the following :
  • Grammar of the simple sentence
  • Grammar of complex/compound sentences
  • Idiomatic usage
  • Mechanics of writing and spelling
    The focus is on the candidate’s ability to distinguish between correct and incorrect structures rather than on their knowledge of formal grammar.
    
• Meaning
  
  - Candidates should be able to detect differences in meaning based on punctuation and should also be able to recognise ambiguous sentences and be able to rewrite them in a way that disambiguates their meanings.
  - Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of idiomatic English (idioms, proverbs, figurative expressions)
  
• Reading
  
  Candidates will be required to read three or four passages and to critically analyse the passages to summarise the main ideas.
  
• Writing
  
  Candidates are required to write a 300 word essay in which they have to demonstrate satisfactory performance in the following areas:
  
  • Structure and organisation
    o Clear coherent thesis
    o Clear introduction, body and conclusion
    o Good paragraphing skills
    o Adequate use of connective devices
    
  • Content
    o Adequate number of points to address the issue
    o Coverage of all parts of the question
    o Originality of ideas or treatment of the topic
    
  • Style
    o Fluency
    o Appropriate variety and level of formality
    o Good grammar (few errors)