Areas Assessed 
The IPT Oral Tests assess four basic areas of English or Spanish oral language proficiency:

Vocabulary 
The vocabulary items measure a student’s receptive and expressive knowledge of basic vocabulary in English or Spanish.

Grammar
These items measure a student’s use of correct grammar and indicate how well he or she has mastered the basic grammar needed for fluent oral communication.

Comprehension 
These items assess a student’s ability to understand commands, concepts, story mood, and basic facts. The questions span a range of BICS and CALP.

Verbal Expression 
These items test the student’s skills of accomplishing social and academic tasks orally. Students are asked to demonstrate many language skills, such as describing events, explaining word meanings, making recommendations, and giving rationales.

There are six levels of difficulty tested in the IPT Oral Tests, levels A–F. The specific skills being assessed are described in Appendix C of the Examiner’s Manuals in a chart entitled “Content of Test Items.” A sample from this chart from the IPT I–Oral English Test, Forms G & H is shown below.

Click here to see a sample chart for the IPT I–Oral Spanish Test.

The number next to each item represents the number of the test question in the test booklet. The Content of Test Items chart is essentially a “bird’s-eye-view” of the test. By referencing this chart after administering a test, you are able to begin the process of evaluating a student’s strengths and areas that may need improvement.