The Writing Skills Test:

Examinees are presented with an essay on-screen and are then asked to read the essay looking for problems in grammar, usage, and style.  Upon finding an error, students may replace the portion of text with one of the five alternatives:

• Punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure
• Strategy, organization, and style of standard written English

Spelling, vocabulary, and rote recall of rules of grammar are not tested.

The Reading Test:

The Reading test measures reading comprehension.  Students must determine the meaning from texts by referring to what is explicitly stated.  The meaning of words is determined from the context.  Students must also use reasoning to determine implicit meanings.  Students must draw conclusions.  They must also make comparisons and generalizations.

Passages are of five types:

• Prose fiction
• Humanities
• Practical reading
• Natural Science
• Social Science