Examination Regulations

Transcription

1 Examination Regulations Czech Language Certificate Exam for Foreigners levels A1 and A2 for Young Learners Charles University in Prague Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies Prague, February 2013

2 Examination Regulations Description of the Examination Available Examination Materials Enrolment and Admission to the Examination Examination Fee Examination Centres Examination Dates Examination Committee Examination Procedure Administration Requirements Prior to the Examination Room Requirements and Furnishing of the Examination Room Commencement of the Exam Correct Examination Procedure Conclusion of the Examination Copyright Grading Failing the Examination Resitting the Examination Appealing against the Examination Procedure Appealing against Examination Results Certificates Archiving Materials Emergency Procedure and Special Measures Concluding Clauses

3 Czech Language Certificate Exam for Young Learners Levels A1 and A2 The Czech Language Certificate Exam for Young Learners (hereafter CCE for Young Learners) has been developed by the Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies of Charles University in Prague. (ILPS CU). These Examination Regulations only refer to this exam and must be bound to by all employees involved in the CCE exam, including staff at examination centres, and by all candidates. The head of the Research and Test Centre (hereafter RTC) of the ILPS CU is responsible for the organisation and administration of the CCE exam. Examination Regulations 1 Description of the Examination The Czech Language Certificate Exam for Young Learners is offered at two levels of proficiency A1 and A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (hereafter CEFR). It is designed for all foreigners younger than 16, who want or need to prove the level of their communicative competency in Czech. At both levels the Czech Language Certificate Exam for Young Learners tests the level of communicative competence achieved in accordance with the criteria specified in the CEFR, while consideration is also paid to the requirements for foreign children detailed in the European Language Portfolio for Students up to the Age of 11 (Fraus 2002) and the European Language Portfolio for Students aged (Fortuna 2001). 2 Available Examination Materials Prior to the examination, candidates have the following materials at their disposal: sample exams, with all of their components so that candidates can get to grips with how the exam is structured, as well as with the timings of individual subtests, mark allocation for both receptive skills and productive skills, types of tasks, mark schemes and recordings of sample Listening subtest. Further materials available prior to the exam include examples of instructions (instructions) with a translation, information for candidates and these exam regulations. The Research and Test Centre does not provide potential candidates with advice or recommendations for teaching materials. Detailed instructions for exam conduct and for grading the examination are available for examiners and markers only. General training events for the examination and standardisation training on grading individual productive skills are regularly held for examiners and markers. 2

4 3 Enrolment and Admission to the Examination Candidates interested in sitting the CCE for Young Learners should fill in an online enrolment form at For examination sessions in the Czech Republic, candidates must enrol at least seven days before the examination date and must also pay the CCE examination fee at least seven days before the examination date. For examination sessions abroad, candidates must enrol by the date set by the foreign examination centre, this date is given on the online enrolment form. Confirmation of receipt of the enrolment form is automatically sent to the candidate at the address supplied on the enrolment form. The candidate must check that the personal details in the confirmation are accurate, as well as spelling and the use of capital letters. Any certificates issued will be printed identically to these details. If any corrections need to be made, the candidate must immediately contact the secretary of the RTC. ILPS CU will not use a candidate s personal details without their prior permission, for any purpose other than to administer the CCE exam and/or research activities, further development of the exam or quality control. Only candidates who have not yet turned 16 on the day of the exam (at the latest) and for whom Czech is not their mother tongue, may enrol to sit the aforementioned exams. The candidate's identity will be verified according to valid documents (e.g. passport or student card). This document must include a photograph, the owner's full name and date of birth. If a candidate who wishes to sit the exam has exceeded this age limit by the date of the examination, he or she must request in writing consent from the director of the RTC, which should reach the head of the RTC no later than 14 days before the date of the exam. Only those candidates who have registered and paid for the exam no later than 7 days before the exam date and who present proof of payment and a valid internationallyrecognised form of identification at registration (e.g. passport) or a valid photo identification card recognised in the Czech Republic (e.g. ID card) will be admitted to the exam. This document must include a photograph, the owner s full name and date of birth (e.g. passport, national identity card) all personal details must also be in Roman/Latin script. A national form of identification will be accepted only in overseas testing centres, provided that the authenticity and accuracy of the information included is verified by an employee of the overseas testing centre. In the event that a candidate cannot attend the examination, but has already paid the examination fee, he/she may request to postpone the exam until the next available date. We will not arrange any special examination dates for such cases. If the candidate informs the RTC of his/her inability to attend (in writing, by ) at least 24 hours before the examination, he/she is not required to pay the examination fee again. In the event that the candidate cannot attend the exam for genuine reasons or informs the RTC of the circumstances too late, he/she may write to the director of ILPS CU to request permission to postpone the exam to a later date, without the candidate having to pay the examination fee again. 3

5 3.1 Examination Fee Proof of payment must also be presented at registration. Current examination fees can be found at The prices at examination centres abroad may differ. 4 Examination Centres The CCE exam takes place at ILPS CU study centres in the Czech Republic and at selected examination centres abroad, which have a contract with the ILPS CU and which have been awarded a licence to organise exams on the basis of fulfilling requirements regarding examination rooms, equipment/furnishings, exam administration and staffing necessary for ensuring the smooth-running of exams. Materials designated for the examination centre are delivered in person by the head of the committee, who is a member of the RTC team and who is responsible for the organisation and smooth-running of the exams at the given centre. 5 Examination Dates The dates of CCE exams in the Czech Republic are set one calendar year in advance and no later than the September preceding the examination. Information about examination dates can be found on our website at by contacting the administrative office of the RTC by phone or , or from adverts and other promotional materials. Examination dates at centres abroad may be announced somewhat later. 6 Examination Committee Employees and colleagues of the RTC are entrusted with the publication of examination materials, test development and the coordination of language exams. They are also jointly responsible for selecting examiners and training them. A trained examiner from the examination committee is appointed for each examination session, according to the number of candidates enrolled at each level. The head of the committee is an employee of the RTC and is responsible for running the examination and safeguarding the examination materials (answer sheets and recordings). The head of the committee is responsible for the whole examination process and its organisation and has the right to make on-the-spot decisions at the examinations. 7 Examination Procedure CCE exams are not open to the public. Only candidates, members of the examination committee, including the head of the committee, a supervisor accredited by the RTC to monitor the examinations and potentially a trained examiner or marker may be present at 4

6 the examination. The head of the examination committee, who may also be an examiner, is responsible for the smooth-running of the examination. At both proficiency levels offered, the CCE exams for Young Learners consist of a written section, which tests the level of communicative competence attained in the following subtests: Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Writing and Speaking. The speaking test is recorded. The time allowed for individual subtests is detailed on the ILPS CU website and in the materials for candidates. 7.1 Administration Requirements Prior to the Examination Candidates are informed of the location of the exam (exact address) when the examination dates are published. Candidates must present themselves at the examination centre at least thirty minutes before the actual start of the exam. Before the examination their identity will be verified according to a valid identification document (see 3) and their proof of payment will be verified. Candidates must wait for the examiner to arrive, who will once again verify their identity and then lead them to the examination room to be seated according to a fixed seating chart. The seating chart will be recorded by the examiner in the test report and before each subtest it will be checked to ensure that all candidates are sat in their places and are using the codes assigned to them. Prior to the Oral examination candidates must show the document that they presented at registration again. 7.2 Room Requirements and Furnishing of the Examination Room The examination site must be easily accessible. Candidates are informed about the location of the exam in advance. The room where registration will take place before the exam must be clearly identified on the day of the test and information about the test taking place and the need for silence must be visibly displayed in all public and surrounding areas. The testing rooms must provide suitable conditions, particularly silence, ventilation / air conditioning options and sufficient light for the examination to take place. There must not be any materials on the walls which might influence the candidates performance during the examination. Candidates desks are spaced at least 1.5 metres from each other (measured from the centre of the desk). During the exam all candidates must face the same direction and be able to see the clock. Before the candidates arrive, each desk is labelled with a name card according to the seating chart. For the duration of the examination candidates will sit according to the seating chart. During the exam there is one examiner present for every 20 candidates. The Listening Comprehension subtest must take place in a smaller, acousticallyadvantageous room, or in a room equipped with headphones for all candidates. 7.3 Commencement of the Exam Before the examination begins, it is the examiner's duty to: - request that candidates switch off their mobile phones and all other electronic devices, which might disturb the silent examination conditions required; - request that candidates place the identification document which they presented at registration at the side of their desk (see 3); 5

7 - inform candidates that they may only use the following writing implements: a pencil, an eraser and a pencil sharpener; - warn candidates, that any notes they need to write during the test may only be written on their answer sheet, using their own paper is not allowed; - warn candidates, that any behaviour that does not comply with these examination regulations, i.e. communication with other candidates, seeking their help or any other prohibited sources of help, will be treated as a breach of the rules and in such events, the examination of the candidate in question will be terminated with immediate effect; - warn candidates that if they do not put down their writing materials and submit their examination material when directed by the examiner they will be immediately disqualified from the examination. - warn candidates of the time limit applicable to the subtest currently in progress and the length of the subsequent break; - demonstrate to candidates where they should sign their answer sheets; - instruct the candidates when to open their examination papers. Instructions are given in clear, simple Czech, accompanied by gestures and the examiner will check whether everyone has understood. 7.4 Correct Examination Procedure Candidates can start working when the examiner gives the instruction to open the answer sheet. From this moment the set time limit begins, therefore the instructions preceding the exam (see 7.3) are not counted in this time limit. During the exam it is forbidden to use any electronic devices (e.g. mobile phones, electronic translators, digital cameras, computers, handsfree sets etc, with the exception of hearing aids in the Listening Comprehension and while the examiner is giving instructions, however the candidate must provide a doctor's note stating that he/she cannot complete the exam with a hearing aid see point 12, however it must be a wireless hearing aid) or any other prohibited objects (textbooks, dictionaries, own notes etc). During the exam, candidates are prohibited from communicating with one another, they may only raise their arm to attract the examiner's attention, if they have a problem or a question. During the first subtest, the examiner will check the identity of each candidate, that their assigned code is correct and record the seating plan in the test report. The sequence of testing individual language skills at A1 level is as follows: Reading Comprehension and Writing, Listening Comprehension, Speaking; at level A2 as follows: Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Writing, Speaking. During all parts of the examination, both written and spoken, a supervisor and/or the head of the committee and/or a trained examiner or marker may be present. 7.5 Conclusion of the Examination At the end of each subtest the examiner informs the candidates that the specified time limit for that part of the exam is up and requests that they put down their writing implements and place their answer booklet at the side of their desk. The examiner must ensure that candidates hand in all materials. Once all parts of the written examination have been 6

8 completed, the examiner hands all examination materials to the head of the examination committee. Any candidate who finishes a particular subtest before the time limit expires, must wait in his/her seat and hand in the examination paper along with the other candidates at the end of the exam. Before the examination begins, all candidates are warned, that their examination will be terminated immediately if they let anyone else sit the exam or any part of on their behalf, if they use any prohibited materials (dictionaries, grammar books, textbooks, prepared drafts of written prose etc) and if they use any kind of technological device (mobile phones, electronic translators, computers etc), if they copy from another candidate or if they speak to another candidate during the exam or if they fail to submit their examination materials after the end of the time limit. 7.6 Copyright ILPS CU is the copyright owner of all examination materials. None of these examination materials, nor any part of them may be removed from the examination site, except by an authorised person, neither may they be reproduced without the written agreement of ILPS CU. Actions leading to copyright infringement may be grounds for disqualification from the examination / non-issuance of the certificate. No completed examination materials are returned to students or the examination centres. Completed examination materials and candidates written and spoken work may be used for research purposes, for quality control and further development of the CCE exam and for training examiners and markers. The anonymity of candidates is always safeguarded when examination materials are used for such purposes. 8 Grading For a 'pass' grade, it is necessary to achieve an overall score of at least 60%, as well as in each individual subtest, however a score of only 50% in one of the written parts of the test is permitted. At each level the candidate can score a maximum of 100 points. The Reading Comprehension and Listening Comprehension are graded according to a mark scheme and thus do not require additional standardisation. In comparison, all written prose must always be graded by two trained markers independently of each other, according to the given grading criteria for Writing. The Speaking exam is marked according to set criteria, by two trained examiners independently of each other, who must then reach an agreement on their marks. Should the examiners disagree on the grading of the written or spoken parts of the test, the candidate s submission will be marked by a third, experienced (senior) examiner. 7

9 9 Failing the Examination Any candidate who does not fulfil the conditions for a pass grade as detailed in point 8, will fail the exam. Any candidate whose exam is terminated prematurely for reasons given in points 7.4 and 7.5, primarily due to the use of prohibited materials or communicating with other candidates during the exam, not submitting examination materials following the end of the time limit or taking materials out of the exam or distributing them, they will immediately fail the exam. In such cases none of the subtests submitted will be marked. 9.1 Resitting the Examination Any candidate who does not pass the examination, can enrol to sit the exam again at the next available date. He/she must repeat the exam in full, i.e. all parts of the exam. In this instance the candidate must enrol for the exam as normal and pay the examination fee again. 9.2 Appealing against the Examination Procedure In the event that a candidate wishes to appeal against how the examination was conducted, they must do so immediately, on the same day that the examination takes place, by speaking to the head of the examination committee. The appeal will be recorded on a form detailing how the exam was conducted and the chair of the committee will decide whether the appeal is justified. If the appeal is upheld, the head of the committee will decide how best to redress the situation, e.g. by allowing the relevant section of the exam to be repeated. 9.3 Appealing against Examination Results Appeals against examination results must be raised with the director of the ILPS CU within 30 days of the certificates being sent out. 10 Certificates Candidates who pass the exam, i.e. who gain an overall minimum score of 60% (for more details see point 8), are issued with a certificate. The certificate is issued by the ILPS CU in two languages in Czech and English, German or Russian, within 30 days of the exam. Certificates for candidates who sat and passed the exam in the Czech Republic are sent to the address give on the enrolment form. Certificates for candidates who sit and pass the exam abroad are sent to the relevant examination centre, which will oversee their distribution to candidates. If a candidate does not receive their certificate within 7 weeks of sitting the exam, he/she is advised to contact the administrative office. If we are not alerted to this fact within 9 weeks of the exam date, we will count this as issuing an official duplicate of the certificate and accordingly charge a fee of 150 CZK. This procedure also applies in the event that a candidate loses his/her certificate. 8

10 11 Archiving Materials All of the candidates' answer sheets and all recordings of the Oral exams are archived for ten years, during which time the candidate has the right to view their materials in the presence of an authorised employee, if they choose to appeal against the examination results (see 9.3). Candidates are not allowed to take notes from the materials or to make copies of the materials. The reasons for issuing duplicates of the certificates are also archived. The candidates' exam results and their written and spoken prose may, on the condition of anonymity, be used by the ILPS CU for research and further test development. 12 Emergency Procedure and Special Measures In the event of an exceptional event (fire, alarm, powercut etc) the examiner will do the following: - evacuate the examination room in accordance with instructions from the relevant authorities, e.g. police - remove and safely store all test materials and answer sheets, if the situation allows; - consult the head of the examination committee on any further actions to be taken; - inform candidates whether the exam will continue, or whether it will be postponed to a later date. If a candidate cannot complete the examination for health reasons (e.g. sudden illness), he/she may complete only those parts of the exam that he/she was unable to complete due to the health problems, at the next available examination date. Any situations that arise will be resolved on the spot by the head of the examination committee. Candidates with special needs (physical disabilities, candidates with hearing or visual impairments) may apply to the director of the RTC in writing to apply for special arrangements to be made, no less than two months before the examination date. Their request must be accompanied by an official Czech translation of a doctor's report, no older than three months. The director of the RTC will decide whether it is possible to grant the request. Special dispensation is primarily granted for: - modification to the way the exam is presented (administration) or some of its section according to the type of the limitations associated with the incapacity; - modification of the time limit for working on a specific task and breaks between individual parts of the exam; - accessibility of the room in which the exam is to take place. Special measures must not lower the content of the examination materials, which is crucial to the exam's validity, nor must they cause an extraordinary amount of work for the examining personnel or hinder a just appraisal of the candidate's performance 9

11 13 Concluding Clauses The director of the Research and Test Centre at the ILPS CU is responsible for preparing and organising the examination. These regulations come into effect on and replace and render void the Examination Regulations of