STANAG Level 3
LISTENING EXAMINATION
Duration: 35-40 min.
Number of tasks: 2
Maximum score: 25 points
Passing score: 15 points
The listening exams are held in the accredited language labs of the Language Testing Centre. The examinees listen to the texts through headphones. They can listen to each text twice in succession. Task 1 contains a text on a general topic and Task 2 is a military text, usually a briefing.
Tasks of the listening examination:
Task 1: multiple choice test
The candidate listens to a 2300-2400 character general text. In the test booklet there are 10 incomplete statements related to the text. The candidate is to complete the statements by selecting the correct ending from a four option (A, B, C, D) multiple choice test.
This task tests whether the examinee can understand special information in a general text.
maximum score: 10 points
Task 2: answering questions
The examinee listens to a military text containing 2300-2400 characters. In the test booklet there are 10 short-answer questions related to the text. The task of the examinee is to answer the questions.
This task tests whether the examinee can understand a military text and extract information from it.
maximum score: 15 points
SPEAKING EXAMINATION
Duration: approx. 20 min.
Number of tasks: 3
Maximum score: 60 points
Passing score: 36 points
At the beginning of the exam the examiner informs the candidate about the exam procedure. Then the candidate chooses a card with a general topic for Task 2, and a card containing a short military article for Task 3. The candidate hands over the cards to the examiners. The exam starts with a short warm-up and continues with the following tasks:
Tasks of the speaking examination:
Task 1: military conversation (6-7 min.)
The candidate and the examiner conduct a conversation about the candidate’s military background and discuss topics related to the military.
This task tests whether the examinee can conduct a conversation about military topics using the required vocabulary and grammar at level 3.
maximum score: 15 points
Task 2: discussion of a general topic (6-7 min.)
The candidate reads a short statement on the card selected by him/her at the beginning of the exam and expresses his/her opinion about the statement. Then the candidate discusses the topic with the examiner.
This task tests whether the examinee can conduct a conversation on a general topic, formulate his or her opinion using the required vocabulary and grammar at level 3.
maximum score: 15 points
Task 3: discussion of a military topic (2-3 min.)
The candidate reads a short extract (4-5 lines) from a military-political article, summarises it and discusses the topic with the examiner.
This task tests whether the candidate can speak fluently and clearly about a military-political topic, express his/her opinion confidently, defend his/her views, respond to objections using the required vocabulary and grammar at level 3.
maximum score: 30 points
READING EXAMINATION
Duration: 90 min.
Number of tasks: 4
Maximum score: 25 points
Passing score: 15 points
Candidates are not allowed to use dictionaries in this exam.
Tasks of the reading examination:
Task 1: multiple choice gapfill
The candidate reads a general text containing 1200-1300 characters with 7 words missing. In the test booklet the candidate is to choose the right word for each gap from a four option (A, B, C or D) multiple choice test.
This task tests vocabulary in context, and whether the candidate has the lexical knowledge required at the level.
maximum score: 10 points
Task 2: answering questions
The candidate reads a 1800-1900 character text on a general topic. In the test booklet there are five questions related to the text. The answers with 2 redundant options are provided above the text in mixed order. The candidate’s task is to find the correct answer to each question.
The task tests whether the examinee can understand a general text and find special details in it.
maximum score: 5 points
Task 3: gapfill
The examinee is to read a 1000-1100 character military text from which 8 words are missing. The missing words along with 3 redundant words can be found above the text in mixed order. The examinee is to insert the right word in each gap.
The task tests lexical and grammatical knowledge in context.
maximum score: 8 points
Task 4: multiple choice test
The candidate reads a military text containing 2000-2100 characters. In the test booklet there are 5 incomplete statements related to the text. The candidate’s task is to complete the statements by selecting the right ending from a four option (A, B,C, D) multiple choice test.
The task tests whether the examinee can understand a military text and find information in it.
maximum score: 10 points
WRITING EXAMINATION
Duration: 90 min.
Number of tasks: 2
Maximum score: 45 points
Passing score: 27 points
Candidates are not allowed to use dictionaries in this exam.
Tasks of the writing examination:
Task 1: writing about a general topic
The examinee is to write a text (essay) of approximately 220 words about a general topic on the basis of 3-4 prompts.
This task tests whether the examinee can write about a general topic using the required vocabulary, grammar and cohesive devices at level 3.
maximum score: 20 points
Task 2: writing about a military topic
The examinee is to write a text of 170-200 words about a military topic on the basis of 3-4 prompts. The type of the text the examinee has to produce is a military document (memo or report).
This task tests whether the examinee can write a text about a military topic, use the required vocabulary and grammar of the level and follow the rules of military writing.
maximum score: 25 points