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Test of English as a Second Language
What Can You Expect to Read?
The reading material on the Test of English as a Second Language (ESL
Test) reflects the kinds of texts that an English speaker would
encounter while conducting daily, functional activities in a U.S.,
English-speaking society. Each test form has a mixture of
advertisements, forms, charts, schedules, flyers, and textual
information on topics such as employment, personal health, child care,
consumer information, employee information, general interest, and
education.
What Kinds of Questions Can You Expect to Answer?
The questions on the ESL Test are 75 percent literal and 25 percent
interpretive. The literal questions require you either to recall or to
return to the document for specific information. The answers to literal
questions can be found directly in the text. The interpretive questions
require you to think about the information in the text and draw a
conclusion. For example, you may have to determine the meaning of a
specific word from context clues, the intended audience or use for a
text, or the main idea of a text.
What's the Best Way to Study for the ESL Test?
The more extensive experience you have with U.S., English-speaking,
functional reading materials, the better prepared you will be for the
ESL Test. Facility in reading is acquired primarily through practice,
and the materials on the ESL Test are no different. To practice for the
test, find a friend or tutor with whom you can read and discuss a
variety of functional materials: newspapers, magazines, employee
manuals, consumer information, advertisements, bus schedules, and the
like. Asking and answering questions about the content of such materials
will provide the kind of reading practice you will need for success on
the ESL Test.
Who Should Take the ESL Test?
While the ESL Test is generally optional for candidates taking either
the French-language or Spanish-language version of the GED Tests, the
GED Testing Service recommends that any candidate who takes either
version consider taking the ESL Test in order to demonstrate a
reasonable fluency in English. Passing the ESL Test may qualify a
candidate to receive an English-language credential from that
candidate's jurisdiction. You should check with your local testing
center for your jurisdiction's policy. In addition, some jurisdictions
already require all GED candidates who take a foreign-language version
of the GED Tests to pass the ESL Test before receiving any high school
equivalency credential.
Please direct questions about this page to:
ged@ace.nche.edu
This page last updated on 10/02/2009
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