Achievement Levels for IDEA English Language Proficiency Test (IPT)

Intermediate High Level
Students performing at the Intermediate High Level use expanded vocabulary to participate effectively
in social and academic conversations and presentations with occasional difficulty. They may continue
to use forms of non-verbal communication to demonstrate comprehension but rely more upon verbal
skills. Learning objectives focus on developing more complex academic vocabulary, comprehending
academic questions spoken at normal speed, following multi-step directions, demonstrating
comprehension of various literary genres, participating in group discourse, using appropriate stress and
intonation, applying grammatical patterns in speech, negotiating meaning, paraphrasing, identifying
elements of fiction and non-fiction, beginning to understand elements of poetry, using reference
materials, discerning cultural variations represented in texts, learning guided note-taking, writing
multi-paragraph essays with complex sentence styles, and editing their own grammar and writing
conventions.
Advanced Level
Students performing at the Advanced Level use expanded vocabulary effectively in social and academic
settings and rely much less on forms of non-verbal communication. Few errors may occur. Learning
objectives focus on comprehending academic questions spoken at normal speed, following multi-step
directions on academic topics, demonstrating comprehension of various literary genres, initiating and
participating in group discourse, preparing and delivering presentations, elaborating effectively using
description and comparison, developing reading fluency, analyzing text and evaluating literature,
understanding the elements of poetry, using reference materials, discerning cultural variations represented
in texts, identifying literary elements of fiction and non-fiction, writing about complex themes, reflecting,
evaluating, analyzing and responding to texts, and examining cause-effect relationships.
Superior Level
Students at the Superior Level perform without difficulty when interpreting conversational and academic
expressions of grade-level concepts when spoken at a normal speed. Learning objectives focus on
understanding academic language conventions across content areas, making oral presentations that include
an introduction and conclusion, using appropriate ways of speaking based on purpose, audience, and
subject matter, analyzing literature, interpreting literary themes, examining the relationships between
authors and their works, defining issues and using argument effectively, critically analyzing how literature
relates to historical and current viewpoints, applying conventions of grammar and language usage, and
critiquing characteristics of cultural variations represented in texts.
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