Frequently Asked Questions
1. ABOUT THE ASSESSMENT
The Linguaskill assessment is accredited by international indicators and is recognized by more than 20,000 universities, multinational corporations and official organizations worldwide
The Linguaskill assessment results are accurate and reliable. The, the evaluation uses AI artificial intelligence technology, and the official proctor system, Talview, remotely supervises the candidate's online assessment process. The, and the score report will be released after the completion of the proctoring review.
Adaptive Test Writing Techniques:https://bit.ly/36gDYVL
2. EXAM ASSESSMENT
The Linguaskill assessment is divided into two categories: "Linguaskill General" and "Linguaskill Business", each with 3 units, including:
- Reading and Listening units
- Writing unit
- Speaking unit
Candidates can choose all the units of the "Full Assessment" according to their individual needs or choose any one of the "Individual Unit Assessments" to take the test independently.
The assessment time for the Linguaskill assessment is based on the unit:
- Individual unit evaluations
- Reading and Listening units
- Takes about 60-85 minutes
- Writing unit
- Takes about 45 minutes
- Speaking unit
- Takes about 15 minutes
- Reading and Listening units
- Full paper assessment
- Takes about 120-145 minutes
For the full paper assessment, candidates must complete all modules within 4 hours (Talview Proctor System Operating Timeframe). It includes the break between modules. For the individual unit assessment, candidates are required to complete a specific module within 1.5 hours (Talview Proctor System Operating Timeframe).
Candidates can choose one of the following types of assessment according to their individual needs:
Linguaskill General Review in Cambridge
- Suitable for: Those who are currently Currently enrolled in universities, primary and secondary school students or non-working persons (Adults, students of primary and secondary school or above)
- Exam contents: Study and work, Future planning, Travel and technology
- Assessment purpose: to assess English proficiency for further secondary school, university subjects and requirements, job application, overseas studies and immigration
Linguaskill Business review in Cambridge
- Target Audience: Business organization, those in the workforce
- Assessment Contents: Buying and selling of products or services, the office, business travel and human resources
- Assessment Purpose: to increase the opportunities of being employed and gaining promotion, to assess the language proficiency of employees, to improve management and internal training
Candidates may take all the units of the "Full Assessment" or any of the "Individual Unit Assessment" independently according to their individual needs, including:
- Reading and Listening units
- Writing unit
- Speaking unit
The Linguaskill assessment is not graded by level. The same assessment is suitable for all candidates’ ability.
The Reading and Listening unit uses an Adaptive Test system, which adjusts the difficulty of the questions according to the answer of the previous question. Each candidate is evaluated according to their own ability level.
The Writing unit uses innovative auto-scoring technology. Candidates enter their answers using keyboard. Their answers are scored by a computer automatically.
For more information, candidates are welcome to visit the following website:
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/information-about-the-test/the-science-behind-the-test/
Candidates will generally receive an assessment notification email 1 working day before the assessment period. Candidates are recommended to check their email or spam folder a few days before the start of the assessment date. The email contains the candidate's login information, assessment information and the related links.
If candidates do not receive an assessment notification email after the start of the assessment period, please email us linguaskill@abcpathways.com or contact us via WhatsApp along with your name, contact details, assessment content and period.
No. Once the Linguaskill assessment registration has been confirmed, it cannot be rescheduled, postponed or refunded. During the assessment period, candidates can at any time log in to the Linguaskill online English assessment system to start the test.。
The official Linguaskill assessment is for children aged 16 or above but ABC children aged 8 and 10 have successfully completed the tests. Children aged 10 or above may also consider the tests.
3. ASSESSMENT PREPARATION
Candidates can enroll in ABC Pathways Group's exclusive Linguaskill Assessment Preparation Course, which includes assessment question patterns and answer hints, and the latest assessment question types are interpreted by foreign English teachers. In addition, Cambridge Examinations also provides pre-test videos and mock exams to give candidates the opportunity for simple preparation before the test.
For Linguaskill assessment preparation courses and test taker support, please visit the following address:
https://linguaskill.abcpathways.com/learning-solutions-and-courses-available/
Candidates are required to prepare the following documents for the Linguaskill assessment:
- Valid identity document (must contain the candidate's full name and photo)
(i.e. Hong Kong Identity Card or Passport)
Before starting the assessment, candidates must ensure that the computer equipment with the assessment specifications is funtioning properly：
- PC (requires a stable network connection) (Smartphone or tablet is not supported)
- IP camera
Microphone
All computer equipment with the stated assessment specifications is required to apply to any assessment unit. The IP camera and microphone must be connected and functional throughout the assessment period so that the Talview proctor system can remotely supervise the candidate's entire assessment process.
Candidates can check the minimum technical requirements via the following link:
https://linguaskill.abcpathways.com/technical-requirements/
Candidates can use the Google Chrome browser to apply on MacOS computers (including MacBook, iMac, or the same series computers) for the assessment but candidates will need to pre-set the relevant computer permissions, otherwise they may be unable to start the test normally.
Candidates can check how to set the relevant computer permissions via the following link:
https://linguaskill.abcpathways.com/macos-system-permission-settings/
Candidates need to arrange their own assessment room for the assessment:
- It must be a private location where candidates will be free from disruption.
- The room should be well lit and have walls and a closed door.
- Candidates must not interact with anyone else during the test.
- Candidates will not be able to access any personal items during the test, including watches, electronic devices, dictionaries, food, hats, handbags, purses or wallets. The location and deskspace must be clear of any of these items. On the desk, candidate may only have blank paper and pencil, and water in a clear plastic bottle with the label removed.
- Candidates are not permitted to use a second monitor or have a second monitor anywhere in the test room.
- Candidates must take a valid ID to the test as candidate will need to submit a live image of your ID before the start of the testtest start. Valid forms of ID include candidate’s passport, identity card and biometric residence permit (if a photo is included). The ID must contain the candidate’s full name and a photo of the candidate on the same side.
- Face coverings, including face masks, must be removed for the initial photo and duration of the test. The AI will not function properly if the candidate’s eyes and mouth are covered.
For more information, please refer to the Linguaskill Assessment Candidate Code.。
Candidates need to log in to the Cambridge English Metrica online assessment platform and the Talview proctor system when taking the test.
As we cannot ensure that the above platforms or systems support all regions, we do not recommend that candidates take the test outside of Hong Kong, to avoid regional technical issues.
If a candidate is unable to complete the assessment due to technical issues, we will not accept any rescheduling, postponement or refund arrangement.
A passport with a photo print can be used instead.
The University of Cambridge Assessment Department stipulates that candidates must upload a photo identification document to verify their identity. If the candidate does not have an identity card or there is no photo on the identity card, they can use a passport with a photo printed on it instead, for identity verification.
We do not accept any invalid or expired identity cards and other identification documents. If candidates are unable to present a valid identification document, they will be disqualified from the assessment.
4. ASSESSMENT STARTS
Candidates who have applied for the Linguaskill assessment will receive an assessment notification email 1 working day before the start of the assessment period. The email contains the candidate's login information, assessment initiation link and information. Candidates must carefully read the candidate's instructions according to the link before the assessment starts.
Candidates can start the assessment at any time during the assessment period. When starting the assessment, candidates are required to log in to the Cambridge English Metrica assessment platform by email instruction and complete all the papers within the launch time frame of the Talview proctoring system.
Candidates will receive an email notification of the assessment results within 3 working days after the assessment period.
Once a candidate starts the Linguaskill assessment, the Talview proctoring system is activated within a time frame. The candidate must complete the assessment within the time limit.
For the Full Paper Assessment, candidates must complete all modules within 4 hours (the operation time frame of the Talview proctoring system), including the rest period between units. Candidates must not suspend the operation of the Talview proctoring system or pause the count down before completing all modules, otherwise their assessment result will be forfeited.
For the individual unit assessment, candidates are required to complete the designated unit within 1.5 hours (the operation time frame of the Talview proctoring system).
Candidates who apply for the "Full Paper Assessment (3 Papers)" can complete each paper and have their own break. There is no limit of the break time but the 3 papers must be completed within 4 consecutive hours.
Before the assessment, the candidate has responsibility to ensure that all technical settings are well prepared. Young candidates can be assisted by an adult in setting up a suitable assessment environment in advance, allowing them to start the assessment independently.
If a candidate is unable to complete the assessment due to technical issues, we will not accept any rescheduling, postponement or refund arrangement.
If candidates have any problems during the test, candidates can check init by WhatsApp at +852 5300 3053 or email to linguaskill@abcpathways.com within office hours from Monday to Friday between 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, we will reply as soon as possible.
Candidates must read the Candidate Guide carefully before starting the assessment and can also experience the mock assessment to familiarize themselves with the assessment mode:
- Candidate Guide:https://bit.ly/3LoopLK
- Practice test: https://bit.ly/31KVob5
The entire assessment process will be videotaped and the system will record the candidate's behavior and mark any suspicious activities, and the assessment results may be forfeited.
Any irregularities are strictly prohibited during the evaluation period, including but not limited to:
- Cheating of any kind
- Answering or checking calls or other electronic devices during the test
- Allowing another person to enter the test space
- Allowing another person to take the assessment on behalf of the candidate
- Looking away from the computer screen for extended period
- Recording the taking screenshots of the test questions
- Copying and pasting text or images
- Visiting another websites during the test
- Having food and drinks during the assessment
- Accessing personal items such as wallets, sunglasses and other items that are not necessary for the test
Candidates must also comply with the following rules, otherwise their assessment results may be forfeited:
- Candidates may use loose blank or lined paper sheets to take notes during the test.
- You are expected to finish each module of the exam in one go and not leave your seat. You are not allowed to leave the room or take breaks, including toilet breaks, during an individual module. If you are taking a multi-module test, i.e. Speaking, Writing and Reading/Listening, you may only take a break and leave the room between modules.
- Sit directly in front of your computer screen and ensure you are always clearly visible. You must always face the camera and stay seated. Looking away from the screen or standing up will be flagged to the proctor and recorded as an attempt to cheat.
- Attempts to use additional windows and software/programs, leave your workstation or interact with other people during your test will be recorded as malpractice. The remote proctor will be alerted if you carry out any of these actions. You will also be alerted by the following warning messages:
For more information, please refer to the Linguaskill Assessment Candidate Code.。
No, candidates are required to take an assessment independently.
If the candidate is very young, it is recommended that a parent can assist and accompany their child to set an appropriate assessment environment before their child starts the assessment independently.
5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS
After the end of the assessment period, candidates will receive an email notification of their assessment results within 3 working days . Candidates can log in to the Cambridge English Metrica assessment platform to view and download the electronic version of the score report.
CAN I APPLY FOR ONE OF THE PAPERS INDEPENDENTLY?
| Print Grade Report – Charges apply | |
| Delivery to a local address in Hong Kong | HKD180 each report + SF to pay the fee |
No. Because the entire Linguaskill assessment uses AI and automatic scoring technology, there is no score review.
There is no limit to the number of times a candidate can apply for the Linguaskill assessment. Candidates can make an appointment to apply for the assessment at any time, even if the candidate has applied for the assessment, his or her past results do not appear in the score report.
Linguaskill Candidate Information
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如果對 Linguaskill 線上評測仍有任何疑問，歡迎隨時聯絡我們。
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