FAQ
J1/ F1 Organizations
About ELTiS 2.0
This is part of the maintenance work that is required for all educational tests. The performance of test systems needs to be monitored constantly to evaluate their performance and any need for updating. As our experience with ELTiS has increased, we have found that measuring a broader range of skills would improve the test, and as a result, we introduced ELTiS 2.0.
The new test design includes additional questions that better assess students’ knowledge of grammar and informational reading. The ELTiS 2.0 online system also produces individual score reports, which are useful for both test takers and the organizations using ELTiS 2.0 scores. The score reports explain what the scores mean, which is useful for both audiences. They also have new security features that enable online score verification. By providing two pieces of information printed on the score report, exchange organizations and schools can use a free online tool to check if a student’s ELTiS score is accurate and authentic.
As the new ELTiS 2.0 system is introduced, the previous ELTiS forms will no longer be available online.
Yes, your existing test credits will roll over directly to ELTiS 2.0.
Yes, but we encourage you to transition online and ELTiS 2.0 soon, as the paper-based ELTiS is being phased out.
No, ELTiS 2.0 is currently only available online.
The composition of ELTiS 2.0 is different from ELTiS 1.0 in terms of number of questions and skills assessed, and using a new scaled score range makes this clear. The overall target of assessing English used in schools in the service of learning remains the same, and the 5-level proficiency scale is the same between the two tests with small refinements in skill level descriptors for ELTiS 2.0.
No. The scoring scale for a test is an integral part of the way a test measures skills. The ELTiS 1.0 and ELTiS 2.0 scaled score ranges are different. The score interpretations can be related to each other through the five levels of the ELTiS proficiency scale.
No. You should use the existing reporting scale with the outgoing ELTiS paper Forms 1 and 2.
See the ELTiS 2.0 proficiency here. If schools want to express their score requirements in terms of scaled scores rather than ELTiS proficiency levels, they need to set new score requirements. Most schools and organizations accept either ELTiS Level 4 and up or ELTiS Level 5. The Level 4 and up range in ELTiS 2.0 scaled scores is 670-800, and the new scaled score range for Level 5 is 704-800.
Use the ELTiS proficiency scale to set score requirements for students. See the ELTiS 2.0 proficiency levels here. If you need to express score requirements in terms of scaled scores rather than ELTiS proficiency levels, first decide which proficiency level is appropriate for your school or organization based on the level descriptors. Most schools and organizations accept either ELTiS Level 4 and up or ELTiS Level 5. The Level 4 and up range in ELTiS 2.0 scaled scores is 670-800, and the new scaled score range for Level 5 is 704-800. If you need help with converting specific requirements that have already been set, please contact us.
You should tell them that a new version of the ELTiS test is being introduced in 2020 and there is a website that tells schools about the ELTiS. Test transitions take time, so schools should expect to see both ELTiS 1.0 and ELTiS 2.0 scores at least through 2020 and possibly 2021.
Yes, these scores are valid, but you should contact us to make your transition plan to ELTiS 2.0.
ELTiS 2.0 produces individual score reports. You should share these score reports with exchange organizations and schools. You may also wish to share the score reports with the students themselves.
Transitioning from Paper to Online ELTiS
We encourage you to transition to online testing as soon as possible. Please contact us to discuss your situation so that we can find the best solution for you.
Online testing ensures score accuracy, immediate reporting, and test security. It produces individual, verifiable score reports. ELTiS 2.0 is also a better test: the test sections have been redesigned based on empirical research on operational test data and the test items have been refreshed.
Let's have a discussion about the obstacles you are facing. We would like to work on the possibilities with you. Please contact us.
To organize test sessions, you need to have a stable Internet connection, tablets or laptops for the size of group you want to test, and access to a room that allows for secure testing. Each test session is proctored by a member of your staff, who is trained for the job through an online training session. Read the details of the technical requirements here.
Ballard & Tighe will support your transition at every step. Contact us.
Score Verification: ELTiS Score Check
This is a free service that you can use to check the authenticity of an ELTiS 2.0 score report. It is available on the ELTiS website here.
No, ELTiS Score Check only works for ELTiS 2.0, which is an online test.
Exchange organizations and schools can use the Score Check to check ELTiS scores that are reported to them. The score verification service works for ELTiS 2.0, and requires either an ELTiS Test Ticket and PIN number that are printed on the student’s ELTiS 2.0 score report, or your input of the ID number that was used on the student’s ELTiS 2.0 test record and their first and last name.
On the ELTiS website here.
Paper ELTiS
Paper testing is an outgoing modality and is only available for an increasingly small number of current customers.
Ballard & Tighe’s prices for ELTiS materials do not include customs, value added taxes, or fees. As a private, U.S. based company, we cannot control the way our materials are treated by customs offices around the world. However, we have taken steps to ensure that our invoicing is specific enough to indicate that the shipment contains an audio CD and printed educational materials, which may be of assistance with locally assessed fees. The invoice includes the HS worldwide international code for each piece ordered. We continue to monitor reports about these charges.
Schools
About ELTiS 2.0 and the scores
ELTiS is a standardized test of listening, reading, vocabulary and grammar that evaluates students’ ability to understand and benefit from high school instruction delivered in English. Learn more about the ELTiS here.
The ELTiS expresses scores in proficiency levels and scaled scores. The ELTiS proficiency levels range from a low of 1 to a high of 5. Since a new version of the ELTiS is being introduced in 2020, you may see ELTiS scaled scores from two ranges. Scaled scores between 100 and 300 are from the original ELTiS. The ELTiS 2.0 scaled scores range from 500 to 800.
ELTiS scores in the 500-800 range are from ELTiS 2.0. You should be able to get an individual score report for each student whose ELTiS score is in this range. This score report includes an ELTiS Test Ticket and PIN number that enable you to verify the score online here.
The ELTiS 1.0 scaled score range is 100-300. The ELTiS 2.0 scaled score range is 500-800. For a paper-based ELTiS 1.0, you may get just a numerical score or a copy of an answer sheet. For an online ELTiS test and ELTiS 2.0, you should get an individual score report that includes student information, scaled score, and proficiency level. ELTiS 2.0 score reports include an ELTiS Test Ticket and a PIN number that enable you to verify the student’s ELTiS score for free here.
Use the ELTiS proficiency scale to set score requirements for students. See the ELTiS 2.0 proficiency levels here. If you need to express score requirements in terms of scaled scores rather than ELTiS proficiency levels, first decide which proficiency level is appropriate for your school or organization based on the level descriptors. Most schools and organizations accept either ELTiS Level 4 and up or ELTiS Level 5. The Level 4 and up range in ELTiS 2.0 scaled scores is 670-800, and the new scaled score range for Level 5 is 704-800.
Score Verification: ELTiS Score Check
This is a free service that you can use to check the authenticity of an ELTiS 2.0 score report. It is available on the ELTiS website here.
No, ELTiS Score Check only works for ELTiS 2.0, which is an online test.
Exchange organizations and schools can use the Score Check to check ELTiS scores that are reported to them. The score verification service works for ELTiS 2.0, and requires either an ELTiS Test Ticket and PIN number that are printed on the student’s ELTiS 2.0 score report, or your input of the ID number that was used on the student’s ELTiS 2.0 test record and their first and last name.
On the ELTiS website here.