INTRODUCING CAEL CE (COMPUTER EDITION)
Paragon Testing Enterprises is pleased to announce that an improved version of CAEL is now available to test takers in Canada who are seeking admission to Canadian universities and colleges. We are calling this fully computerized version of the test CAEL CE where CE stands for Computer Edition. CAEL CE is now available across Canada, and will soon be available at select international locations.
KEY FEATURES OF CAEL CE
CAEL CE is computer delivered and includes a number of improvements over the paper based CAEL. Many key features in CAEL CE stay the same:
Integrated and Topic-Based Test
CAEL CE is an integrated and topic-based test. Test takers are asked to combine more than one skill in the test on unified topics, such as writing an essay based on what they read and listened to.
Represents Language Use in an Academic Context
The test includes activities that students engage in during their Canadian post-secondary studies. The topics and tasks in the test are taken from first-year university courses.
Individual Scores for Each Language Component Plus an Overall Score
CAEL CE test takers continue to receive individual English proficiency scores for the Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking components, as well as an overall score that post-secondary institutions can use in evaluating applications for admission.
Canadian Accents
To best reflect the variety of English accents that test takers will encounter while studying in Canada, CAEL CE incorporates Canadian accents in the Listening and Speaking components of the test.
Test Taker Responses Scored by Expertly Trained Human Raters
Speaking and Writing responses continue to be rated by Paragon’s trained human raters, using the scoring criteria relevant to standards applied in Canadian academic contexts.
IMPROVEMENTS TO CAEL CE
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TEST CONTENT OF CAEL CE
Variety of New Topics
In response to test taker requests, CAEL CE test takers are presented with two primary topics and two secondary topics. This reduces any potential effect of topic familiarity and increases the fairness and quality of the final scores.
New Supporting Academic Activities
CAEL CE continues to focus on learning-oriented language use such as listening to lectures and writing essays. However, the improved test includes activities such as meeting with an academic advisor.
Integrated Speaking Component
The Speaking component is integrated into CAEL CE, just like the Writing component. Test takers use the information from the Listening and Reading components and are asked to speak about what they have learned.
Modified Overall Score
The test continues to report separate scores for the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking components, as well as an overall score on a scale from 10 to 90. However, the overall score is calculated as an equally weighted average of the four component scores rounded to the nearest ten-point interval. Paragon Testing Enterprises has conducted a research study showing test takers and end users of CAEL CE how the overall scores correspond with the overall scores of IELTS – Academic.
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TEST DELIVERY OF CAEL CE
A Fully Computer-Delivered Test
All components (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) of CAEL CE are fully administered by computer, using Paragon’s extensive experience with computer-assisted test delivery. The use of computers reflects the Canadian academic contexts, and it also increases the security of the test, especially in terms of fraud prevention and detection.
A Scores and Identity Verification System
CAEL CE includes a Scores and Identity Verification System that allows a test taker’s CAEL CE scores and identity to be verified. Several forms of identification are collected during the CAEL CE check-in procedure and test delivery such as electronic signatures, digital photos, and voice prints.
Single Test Sitting Period
Test takers take CAEL CE in one single test sitting. The total test time is about 3.5 hours.
A New Testing Platform
CAEL CE runs on a newly developed testing platform created by Paragon. This platform was designed to improve the testing experience, test security, and score reporting and verification.
