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Versant 4 Skills
Essential Test
Official Guide for Test-Takers

July 2024 | v1.0

VERSANT 4 SKILLS ESSENTIAL TEST – OFFICIAL GUIDE

Versant 4 Skills Essential Test

The Versant 4 Skills Essential Test (V4SE) assesses the
productive (speaking and writing) and passive (listening and
reading) communication skills that are necessary for effective
workplace communication. It is used by organizations around Part Item type Skill(s) tested Items in test
the world to aid recruitment and by education institutions and
governments to aid decisions on training, and as an exit test. Part A Repeat Speaking 16
The test provides an Overall score plus scores for Speaking,
Listening, Reading, and Writing. Part B Sentence Builds Speaking 8

This guide will help you understand the questions that will be Part C Conversations Listening 12
asked in the test and provides tips for answering. You can use Sentence
it to develop useful strategies for the test day. Part D Reading 18
Completion

The test is divided into six parts based on the question types Part E Dictation Listening and Writing 14
as shown in the table. Each part starts with instructions and a
sample item. Each question is timed, and the total length of Passage
Part F Reading and Writing 2
Reconstruction
the test is approximately 30 minutes.

As well as reading this guide, we recommend that you try a

free demo test, watch the getting ready video, and check your
computer system is ready to test using the Quickstart Guide.
VERSANT 4 SKILLS ESSENTIAL TEST – OFFICIAL GUIDE

Skills tested
The following table describes the skills assessed and scored by the test. An example score report is provided at the end of the guide.

Skill Definition

Overall Ability Overall Ability represents the ability to understand spoken and written English and respond appropriately in speaking and
writing on everyday and workplace topics, at an appropriate pace and in intelligible English. Scores are based on a weighted
combination of four sub-scores described below: Speaking, Listening, Writing, and Reading.

Speaking Speaking reflects the ability to produce English phrases and clauses in complete sentences. The score is based on the ability to
produce consonants, vowels, and stress in an intelligible manner, use accurate syntax, and appropriate rhythm, phrasing, and
timing.

Listening Listening measures the ability to understand specific details and main ideas from everyday and workplace English speech. The
score is based on the ability to track meaning and infer the message from English that is spoken at a conversational pace.

Writing Writing tests the ability to produce written English texts at functional pace. The score is based on the ability to present ideas
and information in a clear and logical sequence, use a wide range of appropriate words as well as a variety of sentences
structures.

Reading Reading assesses the ability to understand written English texts. The score is based on the ability to extract the meaning of the
text as well as infer the message behind it at a functional speed and respond appropriately.
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Access to the test

The Versant 4 Skills Essential Test is taken online and scored using Pearson's highly trusted, cutting-edge
AI technology. Results are available in minutes. To take the test you will need:

• Access to a computer with a camera installed.

• A good internet connection.
• Google Chrome as web browser.
• Good quality microphone connected to your computer
• A quiet room where you can work without interruptions throughout the 30-minute test.
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Navigating the test

• You will receive an invitation to take your Versant test by email.
• The email provides a test link, some instructions and informs you that the test will be recorded.
• When you click on the link you will be directed to the test platform where you should agree to the Online Proctoring terms and conditions.
• Please follow the instructions provided to ensure your system and test environment is suitable and that your microphone is working.
• You will be asked to take a selfie using your device's camera.
• Once the questions begin, an examiner's voice will guide you through the test and explain how to answer the different types of questions.
• Each new Part starts with an instruction screen and a sample item, so you know what is expected.
• Each question is timed, and a timer is shown on the screen.
• In some cases, the system detects when you have finished responding and presents the next item.
• If you do not complete an answer in the allowed time, your work will be saved and scored as it is.
• If you finish an answer early and have checked it, click Next to move on to the next question.
• You can only move forward – it is not possible to go back to a previous question or re-record an answer.
• The test cannot be paused and you must take the full test in one sitting.
• The test will last around 30 minutes.
• After you have completed the test you will be sent a Test Identification Number (TIN)
• You can use the TIN to retrieve your score report here
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Remote Proctoring guidance

• For proctoring purposes, your video, audio & browser session will be recorded and analyzed.
• To ensure an optimal testing experience, you must ensure follow the system requirements and the test rules

Test Rules
System Requirements • Do not navigate away from the test window
• Do not look away from the camera multiple times
Suspicious behaviour will be
• Do not block the camera flagged to the test
Machine Only use Laptop or Desktop – DO NOT use Mobile/Tablet
• Do not take notes administrator, which may
Operating Windows 8 or 10 • Make sure you are alone in the room invalidate your test results
System Mac OS X 10.9 or Higher
Ubuntu Linux 20 or Higher
Video & Webcam is mandatory
Audio Good quality wired microphone is mandatory
RAM 8GB or more Prepare your computer Prepare your surroundings
Processor i3 5th Generation 2.2Ghz or equivalent/higher • Restart your machine and close all • Make sure that your phone is
Browser Only Google Chrome version 120 and above unnecessary applications switched to silent mode
• Plug in your web camera and • Make sure you are in a quiet room
Cookies & - Cookies need to be enabled microphone headset • Make sure there is no one else
Popups - Popups need to be enabled • Make sure your computer is present in the room
Internet Stable 1Mbps or more. Broadband recommended. plugged in and charged
Connection Avoid using unstable 3G/4G networks and mobile • Make sure you have a stable
hotspots. internet connection
• Disable screensavers, screen auto-
lock, popups, extensions, and
system maintenance pop ups
• Do a system check here
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General tips
• Some questions require a recorded spoken response and some a written answer.
• Answers to speaking questions are recorded so make sure you are in a quiet room with no background noise (even loud fans
and air conditioning can cause interference).
• Ensure your headset is properly connected (to avoid static or technical issues).
• Speak clearly at a normal volume (don't shout or whisper).
• Speak at a normal speed (do not rush or speak extra slowly).
• Consider which words need to be stressed.
• Pay attention to punctuation (e.g., commas, and periods) as these will give you clues for pauses in your speech.
• Use the timer to keep track especially for longer written answers.

A video with tips for test takers is also available here.

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Part A: Repeat
Instructions Example question

A A

All
Click to hear Levels
instructions

What will you have to do? What skills are being tested?
• You will hear a number of sentences • This tests Speaking skills. It evaluates how well you understand and
• You be asked to repeat each one. reproduce a given sentence using accurate sentence structure as
• You must repeat it exactly as you heard it. well as good pronunciation and fluency.
• You will have 15 seconds to answer.
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Repeat tips

• Listen to the prompt.

• Consider the meaning of the sentence.
• Repeat what you heard using the same voice and tone (e.g., try to use the same rhythm, pauses,
and intonation) that you heard in the recording.
• Start speaking within 6 seconds or the test will move on to the next question.

You can practice by listening to the prompt below.

Click to hear
the prompt
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Part B: Sentence Builds

Instructions Example question

B B 1/8

Click to hear
instructions

What will you have to do? What skills are being tested?
• You will hear three short phrases. • This question tests your Speaking skills including your
• The phrases will be in a random order. understanding of how sentences are structured, fluency, and
• You must rearrange them into a sentence. pronunciation.
• You will have 15 seconds to answer by speaking aloud.
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Sentence Builds tips

• Listen carefully to the phrases.
• Consider what they mean and decide how they should be arranged.
• Start speaking within 8 seconds or the test will move on to the next question.

You can practice by trying the question below.

Click to hear
the prompt
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Part C: Conversations
Instructions Example question

C C 1 / 12

Click to hear
instructions

What will you have to do? What skills are being tested?
• You will hear a short conversation between two people. • This task measures Listening skills including your ability to extract
• You will be asked a question about the conversation. information.
• You will need to answer by saying a single word or a short
phrase.
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Conversations tips
• Listen carefully to the conversation and what is being said.
• Consider what the question is asking.
• Provide a short, clear answer.
• Start speaking within 8 seconds or the test will move on to the next question.

You can practice by trying the question below.

Click to hear
the question
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Part D: Sentence Completion

Instructions Example question

D D 1 / 18

Click to hear
instructions

What will you have to do? What skills are being tested?
• You will see a sentence or two with a missing word. • This question assesses Reading skills including your overall
• You must enter one word that best fits the meaning of the understanding of a short sentence and vocabulary.
sentence.
• You will have 25 seconds to answer.
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Sentence Completion tips

• Consider the overall meaning of the sentence.
• Look at the words either side of the gap and use your knowledge of grammar and
vocabulary to choose the missing word.
• Pay attention to spelling and capitalization.
• Only type one word.

You can practice by completing the sentence below.

We all worked hard to find a solution to the .

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Part E: Dictation
Instructions Example question

E E 1 / 14

Click to hear
instructions

What will you have to do? What skills are being tested?
• You will hear a sentence spoken aloud. • This question assesses Listening skills including how well you
• You will need to type the sentence word-for-word. understood a given sentence.
• You will only hear the sentence once. • It also tests how well you write a sentence you heard using
• You will have 25 seconds to type your answer. appropriate grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
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Dictation tips
• Listen to the sentence before you start typing.
• Focus on the meaning of the passage to help you remember it.
• Pay attention to spelling, capitalization and punctuation.

You can practice by trying the question below.

Click to hear
the prompt
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Part F: Passage Reconstruction

Instructions Example question

F F 1/2

Click to hear
instructions

What will you have to do? What skills are being tested?
• You will be asked to read a passage on the screen. • This question tests how well you understood a given passage.
• You will need to rewrite it in your own words. • It also assesses your ability to reproduce key points and details in
• The passage will disappear after 30 seconds. writing.
• You will have 90 seconds to rewrite the passage.
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Passage Reconstruction tips

• Make sure you understand the passage.
• Use your own words. Do not try to memorize all the words on the screen.
• Do not write a quick summary – include all the details you can.
• Pay attention to spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
• Write in complete grammatical sentences.

You can practice by rewriting the passage below in 90 seconds.

Thomas hates to clean. One day his mother asked him to

help clean the house. Thomas did not want his mother to
be mad at him. He decided to clean the kitchen. While he
was washing the dishes, he dropped a plate. It fell on the
floor and broke. He told his mother. She was upset, but
she forgave Thomas.
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Score reports
Score reports will be shared with you by the test administrator. They provide a score against internationally recognized scales (Global Scale of English and
the CEFR) and summarize your ability overall and for specific skills. They also offer tips to improve so you can perform better in future tests.
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Need more help?

Try a short unscored demo test Purchase a practice test online to assess
your own abilities and discover how you
can improve your skills.

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