How assessing English learners with the right test at the right time helps children and teenagers perform better

In today's globalised world, English is more than just a language skill; it's a gateway to opportunities – and the right test at the right time can help unlock them.?

But administering a one-size-fits-all, pass/fail test won’t help young learners and teenagers achieve those aims. Worse still, it could turn them off language learning for life.?

In this post, we’ll look at how to avoid that by administering age- and stage-appropriate advanced English tests, as well as ones for lower levels. These modern, tech-enabled tests assess English learners in a way that’s relevant to their lives. This makes them more engaging and helps minimises stress. And that can positively impact performance and the learner experience.?

Let’s take a look.?

How age/stage-appropriate testing improves learner performance?

At the British Council we believe that tailoring assessments to learner age and stage is crucial to improve outcomes. Aligning assessments with children's cognitive and social development and classroom experience enhances the testing experience and helps boost performance.?

When test material and formats are irrelevant, inaccessible or unengaging, it hinders young learners’ ability to focus and perform well. By contrast, appropriate material can help them focus, recall and apply knowledge effectively.?

For younger learners, this means emphasising speaking and listening skills, since these typically develop first. Writing tasks should be limited to words or phrases, as this age group generally hasn’t developed skills for extended writing. As they get older, there’s room for more focus on reading in advanced English tests and, to a lesser extent, writing.?

Engaging and relatable test content is also vital. When material is presented in a lively and attractive manner, consistent with test-takers’ ages and backgrounds, they’re more likely to engage positively and perform at their best.?

For this reason, our tests use age-appropriate colours, graphics and technology. ‘Active’ or ‘game-like’ tasks like colouring activities are also particularly effective for younger learners. Questions also focus on topics relevant to children’s lives, like school, food, sports and animals. Using language in clear, everyday contexts matches the way they process language.?

If task- or project-based approaches are used in classroom learning, these can be incorporated into assessments. This is because young people tend to perform best on tasks that reflect their learning experiences. Tasks must also be appropriate to their level of cognitive development. For example, scanning tasks are more suitable for older children who have developed ‘search and stop’ strategies, typically around age 11.?

Instructions should be clear, easily understood and not require extensive processing or memory abilities. Clear expectations and an element of fun can help reduce test anxiety. Brief, focused tasks with frequent changes in activity give learners multiple ‘fresh starts’, reducing anxiety and maintaining motivation. Finally, tests should reward what children know rather than penalising gaps to help foster a positive attitude toward learning.?

Let’s take a look at how our tests for school age children and young people apply all this for better outcomes.

Primary English Test?

This test is designed for students aged 9–12 years, evaluating English skills up to B1 at the first key milestone as learners transition from primary to secondary school.?

Key features include:

• gamified storylines and immersive content for a more engaging, enjoyable experience
• stage adaptive testing, so each student receives questions appropriate to their level?
• no specific preparation apart from familiarisation with the format?
• being conducted on familiar school premises to minimise stress and disruption?
• a score report with CEFR mapped results for every student, eliminating the need for pre-selected levels
• reliable machine scoring for quick, detailed results.

A teacher in Colombia noted: ‘The children said that they liked it and that it was like a game, so it wasn't stressful. They were answering the questions very confidently. That also matters in the results: if you are confident and not stressed out and nervous, of course your results are going to be closer to reality than if you are scared or stressed.’

Secondary English Test?

This assessment is designed for use at key checkpoints throughout secondary education for students aged 13–16 years. It critically assesses English skills, prepares students for future high-stakes exams and provides valuable, evidence-based indicators of proficiency for parents and teachers.?

Key features include:

• content that engages teenage students through relevant topics such as social media, homework, school events and sports?
• age-appropriate scenarios that reflect everyday activities
• testing all four skills plus grammar and vocabulary?
• preparing students for future higher-stakes tests like Aptis ESOL
• scores out of 50 which are aligned with CEFR standards, providing levels for each skill and overall?
• being backed by the globally trusted Aptis testing system.?

Upper secondary advanced English tests?

As the end of secondary education approaches, learners start thinking about the next stage of their lives, when being able to demonstrate English proficiency is vitally important.?

At this stage, we offer two advanced English tests for students aged 16 and above: Aptis ESOL and IELTS Academic. These broadly-recognised certificate-level assessments test the real-world academic and professional English skills needed for university and work. This reflects a shift from language as a school subject to a means of communication and produces learners who can interact meaningfully in educational and workplace contexts.?

Aptis ESOL key features:?

• designed for domestic university admissions and employment
• based on the Aptis methodology, which is backed by research and validated in independent studies and trusted by organisations and institutions in over 85 countries
• tests all four skills?
• delivered on computer in secure, face-to-face sessions?
• regulated by the UK Office of Qualifications and Examinations (Ofqual)
• results available in 48 hours
• recognised by multiple organisations and public bodies in Italy, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and Vietnam
• practice tests and resources available for test takers.

As one learner in Spain said, ‘The exam experience was very positive, because the Aptis ESOL test assesses your level of English in a very objective way without having to complicate it further.’?

IELTS Academic key features:

• the world’s most popular and widely accepted English language test for higher education abroad
• available on computer and paper at testing locations worldwide
• trusted by over 12,000 organisations in more than 140 countries
• extensive preparation resources, including practice tests and webinars.

Age- and stage-appropriate tests: The way forward to assess English learners?

Regular testing provides valuable information to guide young learners’ journeys so they can unlock the opportunities that English offers for work and study. To achieve this, assessments must be age/stage-appropriate to align with their cognitive development, enhancing engagement and boosting performance. And by testing at specific milestones and prioritising real-world skills, British Council assessments empower educators to cultivate confident, capable communicators who are ready to make the most of their future.?

Get a free English assessment guide from British Council English:?https://bit.ly/4hmrcox?

References:?

1. “The Future of English: Global Perspectives,” Patel. M, Solly. M, Copeland, S. British Council publications?