APTIS – PAVE THE WAY FOR VIETNAMESE GREENWICH STUDENTS

In Vietnam, English proficiency tests such as TOEIC, IELTS, VSTEP or TOEFL iBT have become very familiar. However, in recent years, a new name has appeared and is gaining attention from the foreign language learning community thanks to its flexibility and creativity. It is APTIS – Adaptive Placement Test in English

So what is APTIS? Do you know the format and structure of the APTIS exam? If not, no problem! Through this sharing, you will find accurate answers to the above questions through the following content:

• What is APTIS certificate?
• Details of APTIS exam structure.
• Score scale of the APTIS test.
• Why should Vietnamese Greenwich students take the APTIS exam?

Let’s explore today’s certificate right away!

Important points to remember:

• APTIS certificate is an English test organized by the British Council. Its purpose is to assess and measure the English language ability of both individuals and organizations.
• The APTIS test is divided into 5 parts based on 4 skills including: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Grammar and Vocabulary.
• The results of the APTIS test are expressed in two forms, one is the score and the other is the CEFR level (6-level European Framework of Reference).
• APTIS has flexibility that allows candidates to choose test skills and time, providing career opportunities and a friendly test format.

1. What is APTIS certificate?

APTIS certificate is an English test organized by the British Council, to assess the English language ability of individuals and organizations. APTIS has become an important tool to measure and demonstrate English proficiency in study, work and daily life.

                                                                    An APTIS certificate

2. APTIS exam structure

This is the structure for APTIS exam:

3. Score scale and scoring method for APTIS certification

The APTIS test shows results in two forms, one is a number and the other is a CEFR level (6-level European Framework of Reference (A1-> C2)

• Numerical APTIS score scale

In the APTIS test, scores are calculated on a scale from 0 to 50 for each skill of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. If candidates take the test in all four skills, they will receive a final scale score ranging from 0 to 200.

• APTIS score scale in the form of CEFR levels

Levels according to the European reference framework include A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2, in which A1 is the lowest level and C2 is the highest level. These levels are determined based on the ratio between the candidate’s score and the score scale.

If candidates take the APTIS test and complete all four skills, they will be assigned an Overall CEFR Grade. This level is calculated based on the results of all four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

4. Why should Greenwich students take the APTIS certification exam?

• The APTIS certificate is designed by the British Council to assess candidates’ English proficiency in a comprehensive and objective way. Each skill of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing has a separate test with specific assessment criteria.
• APTIS stands out for its convenience and ease of registration and testing. Candidates can choose a test date that suits their schedule and test results are announced quickly within just 10 days. In addition, the APTIS English diploma is widely recognized and valid forever, without needing to retake the exam after a certain period of time like many other certificates.
•  The APTIS test gives candidates a flexible and convenient testing experience with many advantages. APTIS’s flexibility is its highlight. Candidates are allowed to choose their own exam skills according to their personal needs. They can choose at least one of 4 skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

–   All APTIS exams are conducted on computers, helping candidates easily manipulate and complete the exam. This form of exam also helps save time and limit errors due to human factors.

– In the speaking part, instead of having a direct conversation with the examiner, candidates will answer questions using a computer. This helps reduce stress and anxiety for candidates, especially those who are afraid of direct communication.

– The APTIS test uses a variety of question types such as multiple choice, word matching, finding antonyms/synonyms, filling in the blanks, finding paragraph titles, etc. Diverse test formats help candidates maintain focus throughout the test.

– The topics in the APTIS test are taken from reality, close to daily life and suitable for the learning and working environment of students and employees. Candidates can easily understand and apply English knowledge in practice.

• Difficulty of questions in the test

– Is the APTIS exam difficult? The questions on the APTIS test are designed to closely follow real-life situations in everyday life. This helps candidates easily understand and answer questions without too much difficulty. The exam content not only tests language knowledge but also evaluates the ability to use English in real contexts.

– There are few grammar tricks

Compared to other English tests such as IELTS, TOEIC…, APTIS rarely uses specialized, academic vocabulary and grammar or complex tricks. In addition, the test contains a small number of questions about spoken English using appropriate grammar in a particular situation (for example, formal or informal).

• There are rich study materials

The British Council provides a wide range of study materials to help candidates prepare for the APTIS exam. These materials include review books from reputable publishers such as Oxford University Press, Macmillan Education, Cambridge University Press and online lectures on Youtube channels, etc., helping candidates master the structure and requirements of each section. Besides, there are many free resources on the Internet that candidates can easily access and use.

• Besides, APTIS also opens up many career opportunities. Even in Vietnam, large companies such as Vietnam Airlines and Techcombank have officially recognized and used APTIS as a tool to test foreign language proficiency or as a criterion for evaluating and recruiting employees. Also, many universities use APTIS to evaluate foreign language output for students such as Hanoi University of Technology and Hanoi National University.

In conclusion, these above-mentioned things have clarified the format and structures of APTIS, as well as the scaling of this certificate. For Greenwich students, APTIS can be a good alternative together with other familiar tests because of the above advantages.

References:

British Council (2024) ‘Why choose Aptis?’ [Online]. Available at: https://www.britishcouncil.org/exam/english/aptis/why-choose-aptis (Accessed: 24 August 2024).

EduLife (2024) ‘5+ lý do thi chứng chỉ Aptis dễ nhất hiện nay’ [Online].  Available at: https://edulife.com.vn/thi-aptis-de-khong/   (Accessed: 25 August 2024).

EduLife (2024) ‘Hướng dẫn chi tiết cách tính điểm thi chứng chỉ aptis từ A đến Z’ [Online].  Available at: https://edulife.com.vn/cach-tinh-diem-thi-chung-chi-aptis/ (Accessed: 24 August 2024).