What’s in the Checkpoint English (E1L) and English as a Second Language (E2L) tests?

English (E1L) tests contain texts, written and spoken, from different periods and cultures, with questions about the use of language and style. Learners use the same skills of analysis that they’d use if they were analysing examples of their own language. The vocabulary and structures used in the tests are at the same level as those used in tests for fluent English learners of the same age.

English as a Second Language (E2L) tests contain a variety of different tasks. They are tests of practical communication skills to show the extent to which a learner can understand and use English. The difficulty of the language is related to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Most of the language in the Primary test is at the A2 (‘Basic user’) level on the CEFR scale, and in the Lower Secondary test it is at the B1 (‘Independent user’) level.