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SLE-Test of Reading Comprehension in the Second Official Language
Information for candidates
Pending official approval by the Commission, please note that effective July 30 2010, this test will replace the SLE-Test of Reading Comprehension in the Second Official Language.
- Description
- Reading abilities for Levels A, B, and C
- Testing information
- Tips
- Examples of questions
- Retest period
- Information for candidates / test-takers writing online tests
Description
The SLE-Test of Reading Comprehension in the Second Official Language assesses the ability to understand texts written in your second official language.
This test has a new feature enabling you to choose the official language (French or English) in which you want to read the test instructions. However, the sample questions are presented in the language being assessed only.
In this test, you are presented with a number of texts (e.g., e-mail, notes, letters, information bulletins, excerpts from reports, research papers). Your task is to read each text carefully and respond to the questions by selecting the best answer to each question.
There are a total of 60 multiple-choice questions of two different types:
- Choose the best word or group of words to complete the sentence from among the four response options.
- Choose the option that best answers the question.
Your proficiency level is determined by your raw score on the test. The raw score you receive on this test reflects the number of items you answered correctly. For example, if you answered 46 questions correctly, your raw score would be 46.
| Levels | Raw Scores |
|---|---|
| Exemption | 54 - 60 |
| Level C | 46 – 53 |
| Level B | 33 – 45 |
| Level A | 22 – 32 |
| X | 0 – 21 |
You will have 80 minutes to complete the test, in addition to 20-30 minutes for administration. Furthermore, following the end of the online test, you will be given 10 minutes to answer 5-10 additional questions that are optional and will not count as part of the test. These questions will be used to collect information pertaining to the development of a future test.
Please arrive on time. You will NOT be allowed into the room after testing has begun.
Your results will be sent to you soon after you have taken the test. To obtain information about administrative or testing procedures, contact the responsible officer in the organization that requested your test.
Reading abilities for Levels A, B, and C
The SLE-Test of Reading Comprehension in the Second Official Language evaluates all general proficiency levels required for bilingual positions in the federal public service.
Level A
Level A is the minimum level of second language ability in written comprehension for positions that require comprehension of texts on topics of limited scope.
A person reading at this level can:
- fully understand very simple texts;
- grasp the main idea of texts about familiar topics; and
- read and understand elementary points of information such as dates, numbers, or names from relatively more complex texts to perform routine job-related tasks.
Level B
Level B is the minimum level of second language ability in written comprehension for positions that require comprehension of most descriptive or factual material on work-related topics.
A person reading at this level can:
- grasp the main idea of most work-related texts;
- identify specific details; and
- distinguish main from subsidiary ideas.
Level C
Level C is the level of second language ability in written comprehension for positions that require comprehension of texts dealing with a wide variety of work-related topics.
A person reading at this level can:
- understand most complex details, inferences and fine points of meaning; and
- have a good comprehension of specialized or less familiar material.
Testing information
What to bring
Bring one piece of signature identification with photo, and your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) if you are a federal government employee.
Special test arrangements
If you have a disability that could affect your performance on the test, you have the right to request that adapted measures be put in place. If you require test accommodations, please notify the responsible officer in the organization that requested your test well in advance of the test date so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Tips
Prepare for the test
Concentrate on reading and understanding texts written in the language being tested. The Personnel psychology Centre has developed a few examples of questions to present the new test formats, which are found below. You are encouraged to review these questions.
Answer the questions in the order they are presented
The questions in the test are generally ordered by level of difficulty. To maximize your score, answer as many of the easier questions as possible. Read the entire question before answering it and eliminate answer choices you think are wrong.
Budget your time
Try to answer all of the questions but do not spend too much time on a difficult question. You will have 80 minutes to complete the test, excluding administration time.
Examples of questions
There are two (2) main types of questions in this test. Examples of texts with these types of questions can be found after the descriptions.
Question Type 1
For this type of question, you will see a blank line within the text with a number over it. Choose the best word or group of words to complete the sentence from among the four response options.
Question Type 2
For this type of question, you will see a question about a text. Choose the option that best answers the question.
EXAMPLES of Question Type 1
Expéditeur : Pat Bégin
Destinataire : Liste des employées et des employés
Objet : Système informatique de gestion des congés
Bonjour,
Veuillez______1.______que le Système informatique de gestion des congés
ne sera pas disponible demain. Vous pourrez accéder de nouveau à votre compte dès mardi prochain. Vous devrez alors______2.______vos soldes de congés pour l’année prochaine.
Pat Bégin
1.
(1) voir
(2) marquer
(3) laisser
(4) noter
You must choose the best word or group of words to complete the sentence. In this case, the best answer is number 4. You would therefore darken the 4. circle on your answer sheet.
Q.1. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
2.
(1) augmenter
(2) confirmer
(3) manipuler
(4) ignorer
In this case, the best answer is number 2. You would therefore darken the 2. circle on your answer sheet.
Q.2. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
EXAMPLES of Question Type 2
Communiqué concernant le dépôt du Rapport annuel du ministère
Le Ministère des finances a terminé le 30 avril dernier son Rapport annuel. Ce rapport couvre toutes les activités des ministères et des agences du gouvernement fédéral en vertu de la nouvelle Loi sur les finances dans la fonction publique (LFFP). Dans ce rapport, les statistiques récentes de la dernière année fiscale sur les dépenses de la fonction publique fédérale montrent de meilleurs résultats. Plus exactement, 90% des ministères et des agences se soumettent à leurs engagements financiers conformément à la loi, une hausse de 6% par rapport à l’année précédente.
3. Selon le texte, que montrent les statistiques?
(1) le pourcentage de conformité à la LFFP devrait diminuer l’an prochain
(2) la majorité des ministères et des agences respectent la LFFP
(3) le pourcentage de conformité à la LFFP ne devrait pas s’accroître l’an prochain
(4) la plupart des ministères et des agences ne respectent pas la LFFP
You must choose the statement that best answers the question. In this case, the best answer is number 2. You would therefore darken the 2. circle on your answer sheet.
Q.3. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
4. Que dit le texte sur le respect de la LFFP en général?
(1) Il est en augmentation.
(2) Il est en réduction.
(3) Il est en stagnation.
(4) Il est en alourdissement.
In this case, the best answer is number 1. You would therefore darken the 1. circle on your answer sheet.
Q.4. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Retest period
There is a 30 day waiting period before you can rewrite the test. Should you wish to take this test again, you must wait until after the retest period indicated for this test has elapsed. Should you rewrite the test before the retest period has elapsed, your result will not be valid and a new retest period will be imposed from the new test date.
