Speaking Proficiency Assessment (SPA) Overview
Speaking Proficiency Assessment (SPA) Overview is to help you understand what the test is about and to give you a better idea of how to prepare for the test.
Speaking Proficiency Assessment (SPA) is a test designed to assess test-takers on a quantitative scale from 0 to 96 points. Speaking levels and thresholds are graded upon the cumulative sum of 5 weighted categories:
- Pronunciation: 12 pts. = 12.5%
- Listening Comprehension and Response Technique: 36 pts. = 37.5%
- Content and Use of Vocabulary: 12 pts. = 12.5%
- Grammar and Common Errors: 24 pts. = 25%
- Overall Fluency: 12 pts. = 12.5%
- Total: 96 pts.
Pronunciation
The Speaking Proficiency Assessment (SPA) pronunciation section grades test takers on how well they can be understood. Correct pronunciation and accent are important here as they take unintelligible speech as deductions to the score. The pace is also taken into this score as they count the number of pauses in their answers. Keeping a good moderate pace without many pauses as well as decreasing “um” and “uh” are key for this section.
Listening comprehension
The Speaking Proficiency Assessment (SPA) listening comprehension and response technique section is the most heavily weighted scoring section of the SPA. They rate the test taker as below average, average, higher than average on listening skills according to how their answers correctly related to the questions. Appropriateness of answers to questions also counts here. How well the test taker elaborated on his or her responses and how much detail he or she used are also taken into account. Keywords used by the speaker are recorded and the more keywords are used from the passage the better.
Time for responses is also done under this section. Try to speak in accordance with the time allotted for each section. Typical times are 5 minutes for listening and summary, 3 minutes for discussion questions, and 2 minutes for the photo section. If you do not speak for the time allowed for each section, you will be asked follow-up questions or asked to clarify areas of your given answer. You can practice listening by watching English programs.
Vocabulary
The Speaking Proficiency Assessment (SPA) vocabulary section assesses how well and how wide the test takers’ vocabulary usage was during the test. Test takers are graded as having a good or poor command of basic vocabulary. They are also looking for advanced words and phrases such as the proper use of expressions and idioms.
Grammar and common errors
The Speaking Proficiency Assessment (SPA) grammar and common errors section focus on whether the speaker is conveying thoughts that are comprehensible. Small errors will not be taken into account if the speaker is able to be understood completely. Tenses are important and the use of complete sentence answers is also a key part of this section. They are also looking at if the test taker can properly complete their thoughts in complete sentences. If the speaker cannot complete their thoughts, it will count as deductions.
Fluency
The final section of the Speaking Proficiency Assessment (SPA) is the overall fluency section, this is where a general score is given based on the criteria given above. They look at areas such as overall grammatical accuracy and general communicative ability.
Testing Environment
Depending on your testing location, you will encounter differences in testing environments but generally, you will see some of the things outlined below. You will enter a room and will be asked for your identification. After confirming your identity, you will take a seat in front of two test proctors and will be told that this test is being recorded either by video or audio. The time for the test will be around 10 minutes and the time starts after you are asked the first question when you start giving your first response. The proctors will take turns asking main questions and follow-up questions. Test proctors will be firm and will sometimes ask you to stop talking in the middle of your responses.
Testing Time
As mentioned previously, the time for your responses is very important. The SPA testers expect that you fulfill the time requirements for each of the 3 types of question groups: 5 minutes for listening and summary; 3 minutes for discussion questions; and 2 minutes for picture questions. Although many of the sample tests you will see appear to be in a similar order, the actual SPA test will vary in the order they present questions. They will most likely start with an easy question such as “How are you today?” or “Tell us what you do at your company.” Remember, the timing starts when you start answering the first question they ask.
Speaking Proficiency Assessment (SPA) Scoring Rubric:
| Level | Score | Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (Basic) | 0~15 | Speaker at the basic level lacks the English communication skills necessary to respond to questioning and may not comprehend what he/she is being asked. Speaker makes no attempt to respond. |
| Level 2 (Low Intermediate) | 16~24 | Speaker is able to give one-word or short-phrase responses to the 5W1H questions. However, speaker may not fully comprehend what he/she is being asked and thus may frequently respond to an unrelated topic. |
| Level 3 (Intermediate) | 25~34 | Speaker is able to communicate basic ideas within limited contexts. However, speaker occasionally may not comprehend what he/she is being asked and is unable to sufficiently support an opinion or statement. The majority of speaker’s responses contain habitual vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar and/or pronunciation errors. |
| Level 4 (Upper Intermediate) | 35~94 | Speaker is able to communicate basic ideas across general conversational topics and is occasionally able to provide some elaboration on topics with which he/she is familiar. However, speaker may not comprehend what he/she is being asked at times. Responses still contain errors in the use of vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar and/or pronunciation. |
| Level 5 (Low Business) | 50~64 | Speaker is able to comprehend what he/she is being asked and express relevant ideas and opinions across various situations and contexts but with limited elaboration. Speaker may lack the use of appropriate vocabulary and complex grammatical structures necessary to deliver in-depth responses with accuracy. Responses may contain errors in the use of vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar and/or pronunciation at times. |
| Level 6 (Business) | 65~74 | Speaker is highly intelligible and able to express ideas and opinions regarding various relevant topics and elaborate on responses effectively. Speaker may occasionally use imprecise vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar and/or pronunciation, but these errors do not hinder general comprehensibility. |
| Level 7 (Advanced) | 75~84 | Speaker’s proficiency approaches the native-speaker level. Speaker delivers well-developed, in-depth responses, explanations and opinions across various situations and contexts. Speaker’s use of imprecise vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar and/or pronunciation is rare and negligible. |
| Level 8 (Native) | 85~96 | Speaker’s proficiency is equivalent to that of a native speaker. Speaker demonstrates complete control of language and freedom of expression. Speaker’s vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar and pronunciation are precise. Speaker elaborates thoroughly using relevant, sophisticated vocabulary, sentence structure and expressions. |
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