What is BULATS?

2

Aims to introduce BULATS and its key

features

to explain BULATS levels

to highlight quality assurance procedures and recognition

to explain Computer Adaptive testing

3

BUsinessLAnguage

TestingService

4

BULATS is a multilingual assessment tool for

companies and organisations

is rapid, reliable and cost effective

assesses language skills of employees, trainees and job applicants

5

BULATS provides… information about language ability of

staff or job applicants

free-standing, on-demand tests

quick results

6

A tool for … assessing job applicants reporting staff language skills against

international benchmarks creating an organisation-wide language

profile placing learners on suitable language

courses evaluating language training

7

The 4 BULATS tests Computer

test Standard test

Writing test Speaking test

reading and language knowledge, listening

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language

activities functions

9

Features of BULATS Task-based approach

Positive washback

All skills available

Productive skills tested directly Detailed test reports with Can-do statements

High quality

Valid and reliable

10

Question Paper Production Process

Vetting and editing of material

Revision

Rejection

Question paper construction

Commissioning of material for question papers

Materials Bank

Pretest construction

Item analysis

Pretesting

11

ALTE BULATS scores

Level Description

C2/ Level 5 Mastery 90–100 Upper Advanced

C1/ Level 4 Effective Operational Proficiency

75–89 Advanced

B2/ Level 3 Vantage 60–74 Upper Intermediate

B1/ Level 2 Threshold 40–59 IntermediateA2/ Level 1 Waystage 20–39 Elementary

A1 Breakthrough 0–19 Beginner

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ProgressionUpper Advanced

(C2/ Level 5)

Beginner (A1)

Complex, non-standard, unpredictable

Simple, routine, familiar

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Computer Based BULATS

adaptive

efficient

effective

user-friendly

14

Features of the Computer Test Reading and Language Knowledge, Listening

adaptive

can change answers, but not go back

can listen twice

instructions on screen

choice of language for instructions

15

?

30 40 50 60 70 80

Computer Adaptive Testing

16

Computer Adaptive Testing

Yes

?

30 40 50 60 70 80

17

Computer Adaptive Testing

Yes

?

Yes

30 40 50 60 70 80

18

Computer Adaptive Testing

Yes

Yes Yes

?

30 40 50 60 70 80

19

Computer Adaptive Testing

Yes

Yes YesYes

?

30 40 50 60 70 80

20

Computer Adaptive Testing

Yes YesYes

No

?

30 40 50 60 70 80

21

Computer Adaptive Testing

30 40 50 60 70 80

Yes YesYes

NoNo

?

22

Computer Adaptive Testing

. .

YesYes

YesNo

NoYes

Candidate’s level

30 40 50 60 70 80

23

Recognised and usedby companies, organisations, institutions and government departments

Europe

EADS/Airbus

Italia Lavoro

Middle East

Emirates Group

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Recognised and usedby companies, organisations, institutions and government departments

ChinaShanghai Professional Testing Authority

China Personnel Testing Authority

Hong KongHong Kong Workplace English Campaign

25

Recognised and usedby companies, organisations, institutions and

government departments

Japan

STEP BULATS

Hitachi

India

Wipro Technologies

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Quality

valid

reliable

internationally recognised