What is the MELAB test?
The MELAB test evaluates English language competence of adult non-native speakers on English. The MELAB measures English language proficiency over four basic language skill areas; writing, listening, reading and speaking.
Who is MELAB for?
MELAB is for:
- Students applying for study in the US, Canada, the UK or other higher education institutions where the language of instruction is English.
- Professionals who need English for work or training purposes.
- Individuals who want a general assessment of English language proficiency for educations or employment opportunities.
The content of the test is aimed toward the level of English a student might encounter in an American university setting.
Optional Speaking Test
You will have a 10-15 minute conversation with the local examiner, who will judge your overall communicative language proficiency. The examiner will ask you:
- Questions about your background
- Questions about your future plans
- Questions about your opinions on certain issues
How often can I take the test?
You can take the MELAB a maximum of four times in a twelve-month period.
Who administers the test?
Only by the University of Michigan English Language Institute (ELI-UM) or ELI-UM authorised official examiners in the US and Canada.
How long is my qualification valid for?
Your MELAB scores are valid for two years.
Where can I take the test?
MELAB test centres are located in various States in the US with some centres in Canada.
Where is this test recognised?
Many institutions in the US, Canada, the UK and other countries accept the MELAB as an alternative to the TOEFL.
How do I register?
Contact one of the test centres to find out which test dates are available. You must fill in the Official Identification Form with a recent passport photo and the test fee ($80 or $120 if you are taking the speaking test). Registration is only valid for 6 months so you need to take the test within this time period.
How is the test scored?
Your score report will show your performance in Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the test. However, your final score is an average of these three parts. The final score range is 33 - 99.
MELAB will send your results to institutions that you specify prior to the test being taken.
Rough guide to level of English as indicated by final test score:
50 - 60: Elementary level
60 - 65: Advanced elementary level
65 - 70: Low intermediate level
70 - 75: Intermediate level
75 - 80: Advanced intermediate level
80 - 90: Advanced level
90+: Proficient (comparable to educated adult native speakers of English).
Scores for Part 1
You will receive a number score (indicates your general level or writing proficiency)
You may also receive one or more letter codes (indicate strengths or weaknesses in your writing) these codes serve only to give detail to your number score, they do not replace it.
Scores for Part 2
The listening score is not a percentage score or the exact number of questions answered correctly. A scale is used to take into consideration the levels of difficulty of the different versions of Part 2.
Scores for Part 3
The grammar, cloze, vocabulary and reading score is not a percentage score or the exact number of questions answered correctly. A scale is used to take into consideration the levels of difficulty of the different versions of Part 3.
Speaking Test
This score does not form part of the average score for Parts 1, 2 and 3. The possible score ranges from 1 - 4 (4 is the highest). You may be given a + or a - if you are between levels.
4: Excellent Speaker
3: Good Speaker
2: Marginal/Fair Speaker
1: Poor/Weak Speaker
How is the test structured?
There are 3 mandatory parts and 1 optional:
- A written composition
- A listening comprehension
- A multiple choice test including grammar, cloze, vocabulary and reading problems.
An optional Speaking Test in the form of a one-on-one interview with the examiner.
Note: the speaking test cannot be taken by itself, it can only be taken with the MELAB examination.
Including check-in time, the test last for 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
|
Part |
Task |
Assessment |
Length of Response |
Duration |
|
Composition |
One topic |
You will be given a form with instructions and a choice of two topics. You must write about only one topic.
You may be asked to give your opinion of something and explain why you believe this, to describe something from your experience or to explain a problem and offer possible solutions.
|
200 - 300 words |
30 minutes (approx.) |
|
Listening |
Part 1 50 multiple choice questions |
You will listen to a tape recording and be given a test booklet and answer sheet.
For each problem on the tape recording there will be three options to choose from. You will read these from the test booklet and write your answers ONLY on the answer sheet. |
N/A |
25 minutes (approx.) |
|
Part 2 Multiple choice questions |
You will hear a lecture and a conversation discussing graphs or charts what are printed on your answer sheet.
You can take notes on your answer sheet.
After you have heard the lecture and conversation, you will be asked questions. You may refer to your notes to answer these.
You must select an answer from the answer choices in the test booklet and record them on your answer sheet.
Only answer choices are marked, not the notes taken. |
N/A |
? |
|
|
Grammar, Cloze, Vocabulary, Reading |
Grammar 30 questions |
The grammar section asks you to choose the correct word or phrase that completes the conversation. There will be a choice of four answers - only one is correct. |
N/A |
1 hour 15 minutes |
|
Cloze |
The cloze section asks you to read a passage from which some words have been removed. From the four word choices, you choose the word that fits the gap in both grammar and meaning. |
N/A |
||
|
Vocabulary 30 questions
2 types of question |
The vocabulary sections asks you to answer two types of question:
Type 1: You will be given a sentence with an underlined word or phrase.
From a choice of four, you must choose the word or phrase that means the same as the underlined word or phrase.
Type 2: You will read a sentence with a word missing.
From a choice of four, you choose the word that fits the sentence. |
N/A |
||
|
Reading 20 questions |
You will be given a passage to read and you will answer questions about it.
All the information you need to answer the questions is contained in the passage.
You will have a choice of four answers. |
|
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