AAPPL AAPPL Proficiency Levels and Scoring 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to ACTFL Guidelines, which proficiency level is subdivided into Low, Mid, and High sub-levels?
- Distinguished
- Superior
- Intermediate (Correct answer)
- Novice
Correct answer: Intermediate
The Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced levels are each subdivided into Low, Mid, and High, while Superior and Distinguished are not subdivided.
Question 2: Which ACTFL proficiency level is typically expected of a student who can handle most everyday communicative situations with ease?
- Novice High
- Intermediate Mid
- Advanced Low (Correct answer)
- Superior
Correct answer: Advanced Low
Advanced Low speakers can handle most everyday social and work situations, narrate and describe in present, past, and future time frames.
Question 3: On the AAPPL, what does a score of 'Novice Low' indicate about a student's language ability?
- The student cannot produce any language
- The student can communicate minimally using isolated words and memorized phrases (Correct answer)
- The student failed the assessment
- The student needs to retake the test
Correct answer: The student can communicate minimally using isolated words and memorized phrases
Novice Low indicates a student can communicate using isolated words and memorized phrases with very limited ability to create novel language.
Question 4: What minimum ACTFL proficiency level do most US states require for the Seal of Biliteracy on the AAPPL?
- Novice Low
- Novice High
- Intermediate Mid (Correct answer)
- Advanced Low
Correct answer: Intermediate Mid
Most US states require Intermediate Mid or higher on the AAPPL to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy, though requirements vary by state.
Question 5: Which ACTFL level describes speakers who can discuss a wide range of topics but still struggle with highly abstract or specialized subjects?
- Intermediate High
- Advanced High
- Superior (Correct answer)
- Distinguished
Correct answer: Superior
Superior-level speakers handle most topics but have difficulty with highly specialized or abstract language that characterizes the Distinguished level.
Question 6: How does the AAPPL score report indicate a student's proficiency level?
- As a numerical score from 0–100
- As a letter grade A–F
- As an ACTFL proficiency range (e.g., Novice Mid, Intermediate High) (Correct answer)
- As a percentile compared to other test-takers
Correct answer: As an ACTFL proficiency range (e.g., Novice Mid, Intermediate High)
AAPPL score reports indicate performance using ACTFL proficiency range descriptors such as Novice Mid or Intermediate High for each communication mode.
