PQS EXAMS

PQS INTERNATIONAL ESOL

Assesses Four Aspects Of English Language That Include Reading, Listening, Speaking, And Writing.

Who is the exam for?
ESOL is designed for non-native English Speakers who:
1. Need a starting point in order to work towards a qualification in English.
2. Work or seek work in an English speaking environment.
3. Live and work in a country where the native and official language is English.
4. Seek access to Higher Education.
5. Need to evidence their level in English for immigration application

PQS Stage 1 / Pre A1 A1 A1+

At the Pre A1 Level, PQS Exams are for candidates with a very basic English ability, and are focussed on building confidence and motivation in the use of English Language as a medium of communication.At A1 Level PQS Exams at this level are for those candidates who understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. They can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have. They can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

PQS Stage 2 / A2 A2+ B1

Students can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. They can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken and can produce a simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. They can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

PQS Stage 3 / B1+ B2 B2+

At the B2 level, students should be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation. They can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. They can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

PQS Stage 4 / C1 C1+ C2

At the C1 level of proficiency, students should be able to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. They can express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. They can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. They can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

PQS COMMUNICATION SPEAKING

PQS Stage 1 / Pre A1 A1 A1+

PQS’s Oral Examinations in Spoken English are one-to- one, face-to- face assessments of speaking and listening skills with a PQS examiner. These exams help support candidates who wish to develop their proficiency in English language speaking - for example in personal goals, study, travel and employment purposes. PQS Communication (Oral) Exams are available at 12 levels, from Grade 1 to Grade 12 (pre-A1 to C2 CEFR* proficiency levels). Grouped by development stage, PQS Communication (Oral) Exams offer a progressive framework for the development of English language skills. PQS Communication (Oral) Exams are designed to complement general English language courses, and exam preparation focuses on the development of communicative skills and building confidence among candidates.

Assessment Summary
PQS Communication (Oral) Exams take the form of an unscripted conversation with a PQS examiner and tests take between 5 and 20 minutes depending on the grade. At each stage, candidates carry out a number of speaking and listening tasks that show their fluency, accuracy and ability to communicate in English.
Task components include:
-Introduction: where the examiner ‘breaks the ice’.
-The Conversation: An opportunity to demonstrate a realistic exchange of information, ideas and opinions at an appropriate level for the grade.
-The Topic: Before the exam, the candidate prepares a topic of their choice – this is used as the basis for discussion and as the basis of a presentation at Advanced stage.
-The Interactive task: A prompt from the examiner initiates candidate- led speaking and listening interactions – requiring an authentic exchange of information and opinions.

PQS Stage 2 / A2 A2+ B1

PQS’s Oral Examinations in Spoken English are one-to- one, face-to- face assessments of speaking and listening skills with a PQS examiner. These exams help support candidates who wish to develop their proficiency in English language speaking - for example in personal goals, study, travel and employment purposes. PQS Communication (Oral) Exams are available at 12 levels, from Grade 1 to Grade 12 (pre-A1 to C2 CEFR* proficiency levels). Grouped by development stage, PQS Communication (Oral) Exams offer a progressive framework for the development of English language skills. PQS Communication (Oral) Exams are designed to complement general English language courses, and exam preparation focuses on the development of communicative skills and building confidence among candidates.

Assessment Summary
PQS Communication (Oral) Exams take the form of an unscripted conversation with a PQS examiner and tests take between 5 and 20 minutes depending on the grade. At each stage, candidates carry out a number of speaking and listening tasks that show their fluency, accuracy and ability to communicate in English.
Task components include:
-Introduction: where the examiner ‘breaks the ice’.
-The Conversation: An opportunity to demonstrate a realistic exchange of information, ideas and opinions at an appropriate level for the grade.
-The Topic: Before the exam, the candidate prepares a topic of their choice – this is used as the basis for discussion and as the basis of a presentation at Advanced stage.
-The Interactive task: A prompt from the examiner initiates candidate- led speaking and listening interactions – requiring an authentic exchange of information and opinions.

PQS Stage 3 / B1+ B2 B2+

PQS’s Oral Examinations in Spoken English are one-to- one, face-to- face assessments of speaking and listening skills with a PQS examiner. These exams help support candidates who wish to develop their proficiency in English language speaking - for example in personal goals, study, travel and employment purposes. PQS Communication (Oral) Exams are available at 12 levels, from Grade 1 to Grade 12 (pre-A1 to C2 CEFR* proficiency levels). Grouped by development stage, PQS Communication (Oral) Exams offer a progressive framework for the development of English language skills. PQS Communication (Oral) Exams are designed to complement general English language courses, and exam preparation focuses on the development of communicative skills and building confidence among candidates.

Assessment Summary
PQS Communication (Oral) Exams take the form of an unscripted conversation with a PQS examiner and tests take between 5 and 20 minutes depending on the grade. At each stage, candidates carry out a number of speaking and listening tasks that show their fluency, accuracy and ability to communicate in English.
Task components include:
-Introduction: where the examiner ‘breaks the ice’.
-The Conversation: An opportunity to demonstrate a realistic exchange of information, ideas and opinions at an appropriate level for the grade.
-The Topic: Before the exam, the candidate prepares a topic of their choice – this is used as the basis for discussion and as the basis of a presentation at Advanced stage.
-The Interactive task: A prompt from the examiner initiates candidate- led speaking and listening interactions – requiring an authentic exchange of information and opinions.

PQS Stage 4 / C1 C1+ C2

PQS’s Oral Examinations in Spoken English are one-to- one, face-to- face assessments of speaking and listening skills with a PQS examiner. These exams help support candidates who wish to develop their proficiency in English language speaking - for example in personal goals, study, travel and employment purposes. PQS Communication (Oral) Exams are available at 12 levels, from Grade 1 to Grade 12 (pre-A1 to C2 CEFR* proficiency levels). Grouped by development stage, PQS Communication (Oral) Exams offer a progressive framework for the development of English language skills. PQS Communication (Oral) Exams are designed to complement general English language courses, and exam preparation focuses on the development of communicative skills and building confidence among candidates.

Assessment Summary
PQS Communication (Oral) Exams take the form of an unscripted conversation with a PQS examiner and tests take between 5 and 20 minutes depending on the grade. At each stage, candidates carry out a number of speaking and listening tasks that show their fluency, accuracy and ability to communicate in English.
Task components include:
-Introduction: where the examiner ‘breaks the ice’.
-The Conversation: An opportunity to demonstrate a realistic exchange of information, ideas and opinions at an appropriate level for the grade.
-The Topic: Before the exam, the candidate prepares a topic of their choice – this is used as the basis for discussion and as the basis of a presentation at Advanced stage.
-The Interactive task: A prompt from the examiner initiates candidate- led speaking and listening interactions – requiring an authentic exchange of information and opinions.

PQS PROFICIENCY

PQS (Academic) / B1 B2 C1 C2

The PQS Proficiency (Academic) test is for people applying for higher education or professional registration in an English speaking environment. It reflects some of the features of academic language and assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training.
This approach is widely supported by the institutions that recognise PQS. The PQS Academic test is suitable for entry to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and also for professional registration purposes. It assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training in an environment where English language is used, and reflects some of the features of language used in academic study.
The PQS is a task-based test covering the four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). There are two types of the PQS test: PQS Academic and PQS Proficiency (General). Listening and Speaking are the same for both tests, but the subject matter of the Reading and Writing components differs depending on which test you take.
The Listening, Reading and Writing components of all PQS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them.
The Speaking component, however, can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. Your test center will advise.

PQS (General) / B1 B2 C1 C2

The PQS Proficiency (General) test is suitable for those applying to train or study at below degree level, for those who are going to English speaking countries for secondary education, work experience and/or training programs. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts. The PQS is a task-based test covering the four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
There are two types of the PQS test: PQS Academic and PQS Proficiency (General). Listening and Speaking are the same for both tests, but the subject matter of the Reading and Writing components differs depending on which test you take.
The Listening, Reading and Writing components of all PQS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them. The Speaking component, however, can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. Your test center will advise.

PQS PLACEMENT TEST

FIRST STEP - PQS Placement Test

The PQS Placement Test for First Step Learners can be undertaken online or as a paper based exam.

It consists of two elements:
Use of English
Listening
The Use of English Component contains 20 questions and takes approximately 20 minutes. The Listening Section contains 10 questions and takes approximately 10 minutes.

JUNIORS - PQS Placement Test

The PQS Placement Test for Juniors can be undertaken online or as a paper based exam.

It consists of two elements:
Use of English
Listening
The Use of English Component contains 50 questions and takes approximately 45 minutes. The Listening Section contains 20 questions and takes approximately 30 minutes.

MIDDLE - PQS Placement Test

The PQS Placement Test for Middle Learners can be undertaken online or as a paper based exam.

It consists of two elements:
Use of English
Listening
The Use of English Component contains 50 questions and takes approximately 45 minutes. The Listening Section contains 20 questions and takes approximately 30 minutes.

HIGHER - PQS Placement Test

The PQS Placement Test for Higher/University Learners can be undertaken online or as a paper based exam.

It consists of two elements:
Use of English
Listening
The Use of English Component contains 50 questions and takes approximately 45 minutes. The Listening Section contains 20 questions and takes approximately 30 minutes.