INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION
ORAL AND WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS
The I.S.A. Background
The International Schools Association has been acknowledged for having been present in International education for 72 years and has been involved in promoting the Middle Years Programme and the Primary Years Programme since their inception, which was later adopted by the International Baccalaureate Organization.
The I.S.A. has also been able to achieve the status of consulting member for UNESCO and ECOSOC with representation at the United Nations Organization in New York and Geneva.
Moreover, since 1994, the International Schools Association has been offering International English Examinations Services in many schools and countries.
For more information please contact: Pablo Flores: p.flores@isaschools.org
Promote Excellence in English Language Skills with the ISA Examination Service!
Empower your students to excel in English with the International Schools Association (ISA) Examination Service. Tailored for English as a Foreign Language learners, our examinations assess listening, speaking, reading and written skills to provide insightful feedback and internationally recognised certificates*.
* The certificate is internationally recognised by all schools and institutional members, and is widely accepted by numerous educational institutions and organizations globally. However, prospective students should note that some institutions may have additional requirements or considerations based on individual student profiles, specific program criteria, or regional accreditation standards.
Why Choose ISA Exams for Your School?
- A trusted legacy: Over 72 years of excellence in international education and UNESCO consulting member status.
- Designed for all learners: Exam levels span from beginner to proficient, ensuring every student is supported.
- Comprehensive feedback: Highlighting strengths and areas for improvement to guide further learning.
- Globally recognised certification*: Celebrate student achievements with prestigious ISA certificates.
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MOCK EXAMS
Young Beginner
Elementary Wonder
Junior High
Senior Proficient
CRITERIA OF ASSESSMENT
The purpose of these exams is to provide feedback on how well candidates who are learning English as a second language can speak and understand the Oral language and produce Written work within each level’s limits.
In Oral Communication the following skills are considered:
- Listening Comprehension:
- Understand a passage and follow the language.
- Show the ability to answer questions in grammatically correct sentences.
- Conversation:
- Enable effective oral interaction.
- Show meaningful phrasing.
- Use of appropriate Grammar and Vocabulary.
- Fluency and pronunciation.
- Reading Comprehension:
- Fluency – Accuracy and speed
- Rhythm and pace
- Pronunciation
- Expression and punctuation
- Comprehension of the passage through related questions
In Written Communication, the following skills are considered:
- Reading Comprehension
- Show comprehension of Reading texts according to the level.
- Answer questions about the text offered, in grammatically correct language according to the level.
- Written production
- Produce clear, well-structured and grammatically correct texts according to the level.
- Show the correct use of spelling and punctuation according to the level.
- Show a good level of vocabulary according to the level.
- Show creativity according to the level.
EXAMINATIONS
This section outlines the four levels of examinations with the required tasks, rationale and time limits for each.
- Young Beginner – (7 to 12 years of age) – PreA1 and A1
- Elementary Wonder – (9 to 12 years of age) – A2 and A2+
- Junior High – (13 to 16 years of age) – A2, B1 and B2
- Senior Proficient – (17-18 years of age) – B1, B2 and C1
YOUNG BEGINNER
- Oral:
Virtual Interview – 8 minutes long
This examination comprises 3 sections:
- Listening Comprehension: (20 points)
Requirements:
The examiner will read a passage for the level twice and will be asked questions about it to assess the candidate’s understanding.
Rationale:
Listening comprehension is a conscious effort not just to listen but to process the information and be able to express its understanding.
Listening comprehension involves the processes of extracting and constructing meaning.
- Conversation: (20 points)
Requirements:
Candidates will participate in a short conversation led by the examiner. They should be prepared to discuss topics appropriate to this age range, such as family, school, sports and the like and are expected to ask questions to enable a two-way conversation.
Rationale:
Communication is an essential skill.
Candidates should be able to express themselves with an adequate range of vocabulary according to the level and make personal connections to the topics.
Conversation involves participation on both sides.
Topics such as family, school, and sports are familiar and easily accessible.
- Sight Reading: (10 points)
Requirements:
Candidates will be asked to read a passage of prose provided by the examiner fluently and with expression. Considerations will be given to the candidate’s ability to pronounce words correctly, respect punctuation marks, read expressively and demonstrate an understanding of the text. Candidates will be allowed a moment to scan the passage to understand what it is about, before reading it out loud and will be asked questions to assess comprehension.
Rationale:
Sight reading and questioning demonstrate comprehension of text.
Accurate and engaging delivery of the text requires quick comprehension integrated with physical and vocal skills.
Reading aloud with meaning and comprehension builds communication skills.
Sight reading skills are easily transferable to presentations and conversations.
Candidates are required to interpret the text and make decisions regarding vocal variety and delivery.
- Written:
The written examination has 2 sections:
- Reading Comprehension: (30 points) – 40 minutes for completion
Requirements:
This paper has five parts with multiple-choice exercises relating images with words, completing sentences with the correct word based on an image, matching sentences with the correct pictures, answering questions and choosing the correct answer, reading a passage and answering the questions with the correct answer.
Rationale:
Reading comprehension is the foundation for all other academic skills. Its objective is to understand written text.
It helps children build vocabulary, learn about the world and understand complex concepts.
Reading comprehension is essential for developing a student’s critical thinking, memory skills, focus and problem-solving ability.
- Writing: (20 points) – 40 minutes for completion
Requirements:
This paper has four parts in which students should complete the missing letters in words, write sentences in the correct order, write five sentences based on an image with a word offered and write a short story from sequenced images.
Rationale:
Writing involves paying close attention to details, using all senses and expressing ideas coherently. It requires the correct articulation of the language and the correct spelling, to enable effective communication.
A descriptive essay’s main purpose is to describe an event, experience or object so the reader can visualize or imagine the matter described.
ELEMENTARY WONDER
- Oral:
Virtual Interview – 10 minutes long
This examination comprises 3 sections:
- Listening Comprehension: (20 points)
Requirements:
The examiner will read a passage for the appropriate level slowly and clearly twice, after which questions will be asked to assess the candidate’s understanding.
Rationale:
Listening comprehension is a conscious effort not just to listen but to process the information and express its understanding.
Listening comprehension involves the processes of extracting and constructing meaning.
- Conversation: (20 points)
Requirements:
Candidates will participate in a short conversation led by the examiner. This conversation should arise naturally from discussions of experiences and interests. Students should be prepared to converse about diverse topics such as family, school, hobbies, travel and the like.
Rationale:
Communication is an essential skill.
Exploring a wider range of ideas related to familiar topics encourages engaged communication. Candidates should master an adequate range of vocabulary to make personal connections to the topics at each level.
Conversation involves participation on both sides.
Topics such as family and school, holidays, sports, travel and the like are familiar and easily accessible.
- Sight Reading: (10 points)
Requirements:
Candidates will be asked to read a passage of prose provided by the examiner fluently and with expression. Considerations will be given to the candidate’s ability to pronounce words correctly, respect punctuation marks and demonstrate an understanding of the text. Candidates will be allowed a moment to scan the passage before reading, to understand what it is about and will be asked questions to assess comprehension.
Rationale:
Reading aloud with meaning and comprehension builds communication skills.
Sight reading demonstrates comprehension of text.
Accurate and engaging delivery of the text requires quick comprehension integrated with physical and vocal skills.
Sight reading skills are easily transferable to presentations and conversations.
Candidates should interpret the text and make decisions regarding vocal variety and delivery.
- Written:
The written examination has 2 sections:
- Reading Comprehension: (30 points) – 40 minutes for completion
Requirements:
This paper has five parts, which include multiple-choice options to complete sentences, reading a poster and choosing the correct true or false answers according to the statement. Complete sentences with the correct word, read a passage and choose the right answer from multiple-choice options and lastly read a letter and choose the correct answers.
Rationale:
Reading comprehension is the foundation for all other academic skills. Its objective is to understand written text.
It helps children build vocabulary, learn about the world and understand complex concepts.
Reading comprehension is essential for developing a student’s critical thinking, memory skills, focus and problem-solving ability.
- Writing: (25 points) – 40 minutes for completion
Requirements:
Candidates will be asked to write unrelated sentences with words offered, write sentences in the correct word order, write a passage based on the choice of one of two pictures explaining what is happening in it and write a description of it.
Rationale:
Writing involves paying close attention to details, expressing ideas coherently, and respecting grammar and the correct spelling, to enable effective communication.
A descriptive essay’s main purpose is to describe an event, experience or object so the reader can visualize or imagine the matter described.
JUNIOR HIGH
- Oral:
Virtual Interview – 20 minutes long
This examination comprises 3 sections:
- Listening Comprehension: (15 points)
Requirements:
The examiner will read a passage for the appropriate level twice after which questions will be asked to assess the candidate’s understanding.
Rationale:
Listening comprehension is a conscious effort not just to listen but to process the information and express its understanding.
Listening comprehension involves the processes of extracting and constructing meaning.
- Conversation: (25 points)
Requirements:
Candidates will participate in a short conversation led by the examiner. Candidates should be prepared to converse about topics such as friends, sports, hobbies, travel and the like.
Rationale:
Communication is an essential skill.
Exploring a range of ideas around topics encourages engaged communication.
Conversation involves participation on both sides.
The ability to develop a conversation and to share ideas demonstrates a strong ability to think and communicate in English.
- Sight Reading: (10 points)
Requirements:
Candidates will be asked to read fluently and expressively a passage of prose provided by the examiner. Considerations will be given to the candidate’s ability to pronounce words correctly, respect punctuation marks and demonstrate an understanding of the text. Candidates will be allowed a moment to scan the passage before reading it out loud, to understand what it is about and will be asked questions to assess comprehension.
Rationale:
Accurate and engaging delivery of the text requires quick comprehension integrated with physical and vocal skills.
Reading aloud with meaning and comprehension builds communication skills.
Sight reading skills are easily transferable to presentations and conversations.
Candidates should interpret the text and make decisions regarding vocal variety and delivery.
Pronunciation, clarity of articulation and interpretation are necessary in all presentations.
Connecting with the audience through eye contact and a smooth, expressive flow of words demonstrates high skills and understanding.
- Written:
The written examination has 2 sections:
- Reading Comprehension: (25 points) – 60 minutes for completion
Requirements:
This paper consists of six parts in which pictures should be matched with the correct statement, choose the correct answer to coincide with a statement, complete sentences with the correct word options, read a message, a letter and an article and choose the correct answer from multiple choice sentences.
Rationale:
Reading comprehension is the foundation for all other academic skills. Its objective is to understand written text.
Reading comprehension activates and reinforces the writing, grammar, vocabulary and punctuation skills.
It helps children build vocabulary, learn about the world and understand complex concepts.
Reading comprehension is essential for developing a student’s critical thinking, memory skills, focus and problem-solving ability.
- Writing: (25 points) – 60 minutes for completion
Requirements:
The candidate will be asked to complete sentences with the correct words, describe what is happening in a set of images, interpret and describe a chart on statistics and write an essay on a given theme.
Rationale:
Writing involves paying close attention to details, expressing ideas coherently, and respecting grammar and the correct spelling to enable effective communication.
A descriptive essay’s main purpose is to describe an event, experience or object so that the reader can visualize or imagine the matter described.
SENIOR PROFICIENT
- Oral:
Virtual Interview – 30 minutes long
This examination comprises 3 sections:
- Listening Comprehension: (15 points)
Requirements:
The examiner will read a passage twice and ask questions about it to assess the candidate’s understanding.
Rationale:
Listening comprehension is a conscious effort not just to listen but to process the information and express its understanding.
Listening comprehension involves the processes of extracting and constructing meaning.
- Conversation: (25 points)
Requirements:
At this level, candidates are expected to converse freely on a variety of topics. Interaction is essential and candidates should show eagerness to share ideas, offer opinions, and participate actively.
Rationale:
Communication is an essential skill.
Exploring a wide range of ideas allows for engaged communication.
Conversation involves participation on both sides.
Engaging in conversation and sharing ideas demonstrates a strong ability to think and communicate in English
- Sight Reading: (10 points)
Requirements:
Candidates will be asked to read a passage of prose provided by the examiner fluently and expressively. Considerations will be given to the candidate’s ability to pronounce words correctly, respect punctuation marks and demonstrate an understanding of the text.
Candidates will be allowed a moment to scan the passage before reading to understand what it is about and will be asked questions to assess comprehension.
Candidates must recognize the main ideas and be able to convey meaning and mood.
Candidates will be allowed a moment to scan the selection before reading and will be asked questions following.
Rationale:
Accurate and engaging delivery of the text requires quick comprehension integrated with physical and vocal skills.
Reading aloud with meaning and comprehension builds communication skills.
Sight reading skills are easily transferable to presentations and conversations.
Pronunciation, clarity of articulation and interpretation are necessary in all presentations.
The ability to connect with the audience with eye contact and maintain a smooth flow of words demonstrates a high level of skill and understanding.
- Written:
The written examination has 2 sections:
- Reading Comprehension: (20 points) – 90 minutes for completion
Requirements:
This paper has five parts, which include choosing one option to make grammatically correct and meaningful sentences, choosing one of the two texts offered and completing multiple-choice questions on it, choosing the correct answers for a text, and completing the missing gaps with the correct words in a text
Rationale:
Reading comprehension is the foundation for all other academic skills. Its objective is to understand written text.
Reading comprehension activates and reinforces the writing, grammar, vocabulary and punctuation skills.
It helps students build vocabulary, learn about the world and understand complex concepts.
Reading comprehension is essential for developing a student’s critical thinking and memory skills, focus and problem-solving ability.
- Writing: (30 points) – 90 minutes for completion
Requirements:
The writing has six sections, which the candidates should complete with the grammatically correct words, describe an image by writing about what they can deduce as well as about what they can see, interpret and describe a chart on statistics and write an essay.
Rationale:
Writing involves paying close attention to the details by using all senses to articulate the language correctly and with the correct spelling, to enable effective communication.
A descriptive essay’s main purpose is to describe an event, experience or object so the reader can visualize or imagine the matter described.