What is the Versant Aviation English Test (VAET)?
The Versant Aviation English Test a completely automated test developed for use by pilots and Air Traffic Controllers to meet ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements. VAET is a certification test that contains both aviation and plain English content. For more information please refer to the Versant Aviation English Test section.
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What is the Versant for English with ICAO Concordance test?
The Versant for English with ICAO Concordance is a completely automated test of common English language. Based on candidate scores on the Versant for English test, a concordance report predicts the ICAO level of the candidate who is an active aviation professional. The candidate’s predicted ICAO level and the methodology used to develop the prediction are described in the ICAO Concordance document. For more information about this test, refer to the Versant for English with ICAO Concordance test section.
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Can I use the Versant for English with ICAO Concordance as a certification test for pilots and ATCs?
The Versant Aviation English Test can be used as a certification test, while the Versant for English with ICAO Concordance can be used only as a benchmarking test. VAET has both aviation and plain English content and meets ICAO requirements. However, Versant for English with ICAO Concordance only contains general English content.
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Is the Versant test and testing system secure?
Test security
– In high-stakes testing such as ICAO certification, we recommend a proctored testing environment where identity of candidates can be verified,
– In cases where test administrators have suspicions about certain test taker results, we can make available a response recording of the candidate for reliable human verification of test taker identity from the voice. This will be a fee-based service.
– A third level of security is aimed at minimizing cheating. Cheating on tests usually happens when previous test takers memorize questions and provide it to future test takers. The items that are presented on the Versant tests are randomized so that the next test taker will not know what questions will be presented on the test. The large size of our item pool makes this possible.
System security - Test responses are located on secure servers in the United States, while test prompts are cached and located in secure servers around the world. Also, the access to test scores is password protected.
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How can a test taken over the phone measure “interaction” skill as required by ICAO?
The holistic descriptors for the “interaction” skill as described by ICAO define interaction in terms of immediacy, appropriateness, and informative content of responses. For instance, an ICAO proficiency rubric states “Response time is slow and often inappropriate. Interaction is limited to simple routine exchanges.”
Versant scoring provides a clear metric for “slow” and “simple routine”. Versant scoring implements a consistent, data-driven decision on (in)appropriate responses. Our automated scoring system uses quantitative measures such as latency, rate of speech etc. to arrive at test scores. For more information about why Versant tests are reliable and valid, please click here (PDF - 235 KB) and view this presentation.
Further, the telephone based test delivery of VAET is the closest simulation of real-world R/T communication between pilots and ATCs. The automated scoring of the test and the underlying data driven measures eliminates rater“subjectivity” and delivers more objective and reliable results.
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When will VAET and the VAET practice tests be available?
The VAET and VAET practice tests will be available for commercial use from the end of July 2007.
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If I purchase the VAET and VAET Practice tests, will I incur long-distance (international) calling charges when taking the test?
Generally in most countries we have an established toll-free telephone number, enabling convenient communication with our testing system at any time, in any time zone. If not, we offer a call-back facility for customers.
The call-back facility allows our telephony servers to call your test takers at a pre-determined time and phone number (location) for taking the test. With the call-back option, customers do not incur any telecommunication costs.
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Is your test accredited by ICAO?
ICAO has stated that they do not plan to accredit or authorize tests or test vendors catering to the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements.
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Can VAET and VAET Practice tests be taken on a computer?
Yes, VAET and VAET Practice tests can be taken over the computer easily, effectively, and quickly, However, there are specific system and bandwidth requirements to be able to take our tests on the computer. Please email our technical team VAET@Harcourt.com who will be happy to advise you on specific system and bandwidth requirements.
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In what languages will the test instructions be provided?
At this time, the instructions for the tests will be available only in English.
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For more information on Ordinate technology, Versant and our complete portfolio of tests, please visit our Versant FAQs.