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THE SPEAK TEST:

The SPEAK Test is one of the requirements of caregivers bound for Canada.
The SPEAK test is a recorded oral examination that lasts approximately 20 minutes. Total testing time from check-in to completion is about 40 minutes.

Before the test begins, examinees are given time to review test directions. The test is recorded and timed on a computer in a computer lab. Examinees listen to the test through headphones and speak into a microphone on their headset to record their responses. Once the test is started, it cannot be stopped.

When you take the SPEAK test you will be in a language-lab environment. There will be other people in the room taking the test at the same time. When you practice the test keep in mind this environment which is different from speaking to a person or practicing in a quiet room alone.


What are the questions asked?

There are several different forms of the SPEAK test, but all have similar types of questions:

A warm-up section with general questions; the tape announces that this section will not be scored. It is important, however, that the test-taker reply to the questions to make sure that everything is working properly.
A map-reading section, where the test-taker describes how to get from one place to another.

General questions about a hypothetical town, based on the map.

A story-telling section where the test-taker looks at a series of pictures and tells the story from the pictures.

Follow-up questions based on the story.

General opinion questions, often related to the test-taker's field of study.

A chart or graph-reading section, where the test-taker explains the information given on a chart or graph.

Follow-up questions based on the chart or graph.

A schedule with modifications where the test-taker explains the schedule and the changes.


How are you graded?

The SPEAK Test follows the following grade scale.

60 Communication almost always effective; task performed very
competently

• Functions performed clearly and effectively
• Appropriate response to audience/situation
• Coherent, with effective use of cohesive devices
• Use of linguistic features almost always effective; communication

not affected by minor errors.

50 Communication generally effective; task performed competently

• Functions generally performed clearly and effectively
• Generally appropriate response to audience/situation
• Coherent, with some effective use of cohesive devices
• Use of linguistic features generally effective; communication

generally not affected by errors.

40 Communication somewhat effective; task performed somewhat
competently

• Functions performed somewhat clearly and effectively
• Somewhat appropriate response to audience/situation
• Somewhat coherent, with some use of cohesive devices
• Use of linguistic features somewhat effective; communication

sometimes affected by errors.

30 Communication generally not effective; task performed poorly

• Functions generally performed unclearly and ineffectively
• Generally inappropriate response to audience/situation
• Generally incoherent, with little use of cohesive devices
• Use of linguistic features generally poor; communication often

impeded by major errors.

20 No effective communication; no evidence of ability to perform task

• No evidence that functions were performed
• No evidence of ability to respond appropriately to

audience/situation

• Incoherent, with no use of cohesive devices
• Use of linguistic features poor; communication ineffective due to

major errors.