The Overseas Flight Training Preparation Test
The Overseas Flight Preparation Test (OFTPT) measures the language ability of ab initio cadet pilots who want to do their practical flight training where English is used as the language of communication. Results indicate the readiness of test takers to engage successfully in practical flight training. There are three categories of readiness:
- Ready
- Minimally Ready
- Not ready
These categories correspond to a probable level on the ICAO Language Proficiency Rating scale so that progress can be tracked using the aviation industry standard for assessing language proficiency.
The OFTPT is a diagnostic test. In order to provide as much information as possible to test takers about their performance, their score report contains a breakdown of correct and incorrect answers within each section of the test as well as an overall score. This allows the test taker to identify the exact language abilities they need to focus on to improve. In addition to the score, specific learning activities that target the areas of weakness are suggested. In this way, test takers receive a detailed, personalised action plan for their language development.
The tests assess the ability of non-native English speaking ab initio pilots to understand and communicate effectively with air traffic control, other pilots and their instructors. This means that test takers must demonstrate their ability in listening, reading, speaking and vocabulary.
Listening
- Ability to understand main and specific factual information from texts on aviation related topics
- Ability to listen and take notes and answer comprehension questions on aviation related topics
Reading
- Ability to understand the overall purpose from texts on aviation related topics
- Ability to locate specific information within a text on aviation related topics
- Ability to understand detailed, factual information from texts on aviation related topics
Speaking
- Ability to take part in conversations about every day and personal topics
- Ability to critically describe performance
- Ability to talk about past and present actions and future intentions
- Ability to ask questions and paraphrase understanding in order to clarify ideas and feedback from instructors and teachers
- Ability to notice and fix breakdowns in communication
Vocabulary
- Knowledge of the technical vocabulary of aviation related topics
- Knowledge of the basic English standard phraseologies and structure of radiotelephony communications in routine situations
The OFTPT Listening and Reading tests are delivered online. Therefore, test takers need to have access to a desktop computer in a quiet, comfortable space. Test takers should also use headphones. The questions are presented on the screen and answers are submitted by using a keyboard and a mouse.
The OFTPT Speaking test is delivered on Skype or Zoom.
The OFTPT is a diagnostic test. Each section of the tests targets a particular language ability. In the listening and reading tests, test takers can check their answers immediately with the ‘Check Answers’ button. It is also possible for a test taker to reset their answers and attempt a particular task again. However, their score report is generated after the first submission of their answers. Each section of the test has a suggested minimum score. These cut scores have been set based on statistical analysis of test taker performance; reference to the descriptors in the ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale and finally the expert judgement of flying instructors and English language teachers, who have evaluated the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for the achievement of a particular task in a documented standard setting procedure.
It should be noted that Reading is not currently reflected in the ICAO scale and is therefore not tested for pilots operating internationally. However, during the test development process, reading ability was identified as being essential for ab initio cadet pilots. It can be considered to fall under the Comprehension criteria within the ICAO scale. The table below shows the cut scores for the listening and reading tests, their correspondence to the ICAO levels and a recommendation for training.
Overall score | Probable ICAO Level for Comprehension | Recommendation for training | |
Listening | Reading | ||
79% or above | 73% or above | High Level 3 or above (Pre-operational – operational) | Ready |
58-78% | 54 – 72% | Low Level 3 to High Level 3 (Pre-Operational) | Minimally ready
|
57% or below | 53% or below | Very low Level 3 or below (Elementary) | Not ready |
The OFTPT speaking test is directly scored using the levels of the ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale. The test taker receives a breakdown of their level for each of the six areas: pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and interaction. In addition, the role play tasks each have a task specific marking rubric, which will be used to provide more descriptive information about the speaking performance of a test taker. Together, these sources of scoring will provide the basis for specific suggestions and learning activities that target a test taker's areas for language development.
The development of the OFTPT followed a rigorous test design process, in conjunction with subject matter experts, aviation English experts and ab initio pilots. Two validation frameworks guided this process: an Assessment Use Argument (Bachman & Palmer, 2010) and a socio-cognitive model of test development and validation (O'Sullivan & Weir, 2011). The stages were:
Phase 1: Investigation of the language needs of ab initio cadet pilots
Phase 2: Development of detailed test specifications and construction of test items
Phase 3: Editing of test items
Phase 4: Pretesting of test items
Phase 5: Statistical analysis of items and standard setting with expert judges
Phase 6: Construction of final tests
Phase 7: Monitoring and review of live test data
Monitoring and review ensures that every version of the test that is and will be developed is of a comparable level of difficulty, and that the OFTPT provides valid and consistent results across different forms and with different cohorts of test takers. Consistency is further assured by post test equating of scores. The content of the OFTPT reflects the real-life language skills and situations that are experienced within practical flight training in an English speaking country.
Please contact info@oftpt.com for a technical report of the development and validation of the OFTPT.
Taking the test
Currently, there is no fee for taking the OFTPT Reading and Listening modules because we are gathering data on the test. If you would like to do the speaking test, there is a small fee to pay for the time of the examiner ($20 USD, paid via paypal).
If you would like to try the OFTPT, please email info@oftpt.com
The administrator will email you login details to access the tests and/or arrange a time to do the speaking test. You can then use these login details to complete the tests when you want to.
You can check your answers immediately with the ‘Check Answers’ button. It is also possible for you to reset your answers and try a particular task again. However, your score report is generated after the first submission of your answers.
You will receive your score report for the listening and reading tests immediately after you complete the test. You can look at it on the computer screen and you can email it to yourself. Your score report will contain:
Your score for each section of the test
Your overall score for the listening and reading tests
Specific learning activities that target your areas of weakness (so you receive a detailed, personalised action plan for your language development).
This information allows you to identify the exact language abilities you need to focus on to improve. Click here to see a sample score report for listening and reading.
The score report for the speaking test is emailed to you within 48 hours of you doing the speaking test,
Click here to see a sample score report for speaking.
Yes! There are different forms of this test. You can do more tests if you want to.
Email Maria at info@oftpt.com and I will send you another set of login details to access the second test.
Test Format
Test takers will listen to recorded audio texts or videos. These are monologues and dialogues between air traffic controllers, pilots and flying instructors. Test takers should type or select their answers to a series of questions. These include questions that test their ability to understand main ideas and detailed factual information, and their ability to follow the development of ideas. A variety of voices and native-speaker accents are used.
Test takers can listen to each recording TWICE and check their answers immediately. However, the overall score will be calculated after the first time a test taker checks their answers.
There is no time limit for this test. The test taker can take as long as they need. They will listen to the following texts:
Part 1 (2 monologues - 10 Marks)
A monologue of an Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) broadcast.
Part 2 (5 monologues - 10 marks)
A description of cockpit instruments and the external parts of an aircraft given by a flying instructor.
Part 3 (5 dialogues - 10 marks)
Task 1: Four short radiotelephony dialogues between an air traffic controller and a pilot in a routine flying situation.
Task 2: One longer radiotelephony dialogue between an air traffic controller communicating with four pilots flying in routine situations.
Part 4 (1 monologue - 10 marks)
A monologue pre-flight briefing given by a flying instructor.
After the listening test
Test takers will receive their overall score and the score for each part of the listening test. They will also receive specific suggestions and learning activities for how they can develop their listening abilities based on how they answered the questions.
Test takers will read two descriptive, factual texts on aviation topics within a Private Pilot Licence training syllabus. Each text is worth 15 marks.
A variety of question types and tasks are used in order to test a range of reading skills. Test takers must type or select their answers from the options as they read. They will complete the following tasks:
Task One: Matching key vocabulary from the text to definitions (5 marks)
Task Two: Reading for gist (the overall idea) (1 mark)
Task Three: Scanning for specific information (2 marks)
Task Four: Reading for details (7 marks)
Test takers can check their answers immediately. Their overall score will be calculated after the first time they check their answers.
There is no time limit for this test. However, test takers should follow the task instructions. These tell the test taker at what speed they should read.
The speaking test uses the ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale to interpret scores to recommend how ready a test taker is to start their practical flight training. The speaking performance is judged against six criteria: pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and interaction. The test is interactive and as close to real life as a test can get.
Part 1 (3-4 minutes)
Test takers will answer questions on everyday topics and aviation related topics.
Part 2 (5-6 minutes)
Test takers will participate in a role play. The examiner will take the role of an air traffic controller. The test taker will take the role of a student pilot. Test takers need to read back (repeat) routine ATC instructions.
Part 3 (8 - 10 minutes)
Test takers will participate in a role play of a training flight debrief. The examiner will take the role of a flying instructor. The test taker will take the role of a student pilot. Test takers will need to:
- start a conversation and ask for a debrief, provide information to their instructor, ask and answer questions
- recognize and deal with problems
- describe past and present actions and future intentions
- ask and answer questions
- indicate understanding and non-understanding
In total, the speaking test is 20 minutes long. Test takers will receive their score reports by email within 48 hours of taking their test.
