The CELSA is inexpensive and easy to administer. It consists of 75 multiple choice questions and takes 45 minutes to complete. Hundreds of schools use the CELSA for ATB to qualify their students. It is not necessary to offer ESL classes in order to use the CELSA for ATB. If the students have English as their second language, the CELSA can be used to determine their ability to benefit from instruction. The CELSA can also be used for course placement. A single test can be used for both placement and ATB.
For Placement only, there is only an anual site licence fee based on the number of students tested. Both paper pencil and computer delivered software and avalible for placement only.
Here are some sites to study from before you take the CELSA test for ESL. ESL Cafe; ESL Lounge; ESL America; Learner; Both, the English Department and the Reading Department offer English as a Second Language courses, which include the following: ESL 010, ESL 011, ESL 012, RDG 016, ESL 020, ESL 021, ESL 022, RDG 026, ESL 030, ESL 031, ESL 032, RDG 036, ESL 040, ESL 041, ESL 042, and RDG 046. CELSA (Combined English Language Skills Assessment) – this test is a paper and pencil based test used for course placement into 'English as a Second Language' classes. Official Course Placement Chart. Is used to determine what classes a student can register for and what the Placement Test and Retest Policy is for Maricopa Community College.
You have two options for ATB:
1) 'paper/pencil' test: test are taken on a special scanform and mailed to us. We score the test the day we receive it and automatically email you the results. The cost is $195 per year for the site license and $12.50 per student. This cost includes the student answer sheets, cover sheet, mailing envelopes and all test scoring and reporting. Test booklets need to be ordered separately and usually last about 5 years. Please see Order form for details.
2) computer delivered option: the test is taken on a computer and the results are immediately available to the school. There is an $800 annual charge for the software and the individual cost to the student is a $12.50 fee.
Celsa Testing
- SAMPLE CELSA PLACEMENT TEST. The following questions are similar to the questions you will be asked to answer when you take the ESL placement test. There are 75 questions. You will have 45 minutes to complete the test. Your score on the test-along with some information about your background- is used to inform you and the college about the.
- CELSA (English as a Second Language) Placement Test for Credit Classes For individuals with English as a Second Language (ESL), the CELSA exam determines an English language level. The placement test is: free. A 45-minute, timed test. For English language learners. Print a CELSA practice test.
- Assesses and places high school, college and adult ESL students quickly and accurately into beginning to advanced classes
- Approved by the U.S. Department of Education as an 'Ability to Benefit' (ATB) test
- Approved by the California Community Colleges
- Approved by the CA BPPE as an ATB test
- Approved by the NY Board of Education as an ATB test
- 45 minute, 75 item multiple choice
- 4 equivalent forms (only form 1 and 2 approved for ATB)
- Natural, authentic language
- Cloze type format
- Researched for reliability (.93), validity, freedom from bias
- Computer delivered (network) and 'paper/pencil' options
- Used in hundreds of schools and colleges
- For private, for profit, schools that so not offer degrees.
The steps to implementing the test are easy. You need to hire an Independent Testing Administrator. (For public colleges, universities, and schools that offer degrees, employees can administer this test. The testers fill out the 'Verification of Assessment Center Certification of Testing Adminestratorir' form instead of the 'Independent Test Administrator Certification Form.' ) and have independent assesment centersInstituion '. That person needs to read our brief CELSA ATB User's Guide and take a short quiz (the CELSA TEST ADMINISTER CERTIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ATB). The tester mails or faxes the Independent Testing Administrator form and the Questionnaire to us and we then certify the school and the tester.
BPPE governed schools that offer degrees or diplomas cannot accept students without high school diplomas or equivalent unless the student passes an ATB test
Celsa Practice
Celsa Test Practice
The CELSA is an approved United States Department of Education and BPPE Ability to Benefit test for students who have English as their second language.