Candidate Handbook
Writing Skills in English
Multiple-Choice Test
(WSE-MCT)
Proficiency Levels 1, 2 and 3
Test number: B305
November 2017
Description of the test
This standardized assessment tool was developed to assess the technical competency "Writing Skills in English." This technical competency is defined in the Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) competencies as follows:
- Ability to produce clear, concise, logical and grammatically correct written material in English or French.
- Ability to convey information in English or in French accurately and obtain desired results.
- Ability to use a variety of writing styles and approaches in English or in French as appropriate to the circumstances and the intended readership.
The CRA uses a proficiency scale for all its technical competencies, including Writing Skills in English. This proficiency scale ranges from level 1 (basic knowledge) to level 5 (expert capability). The Writing Skills in English, Multiple-Choice Test (WSE-MCT) is designed to assess levels 1, 2, and 3 (levels 4 and 5 are assessed via other assessment tools). The following is a description of each level:
Level 1: - correctly spells words commonly used in the workplace; and correctly uses capitalization and punctuation.
Level 2: - correctly spells words commonly used in the workplace; correctly uses capitalization and punctuation; demonstrates a moderate range of vocabulary; correctly applies the basic rules of grammar; and correctly constructs sentences.
Level 3: - correctly spells words commonly used in the workplace; correctly uses capitalization and punctuation; demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary; correctly applies the basic rules of grammar; correctly constructs sentences; and arranges sentences in logical order.
The test is divided into five subtests and assesses the following:
Subtest 1: Spelling
This subtest is divided into two sections. In the first section, you must indicate whether there is a word that is misspelled or spelled incorrectly in the context. This section consists of 14 questions. In the second section, you must choose the word that is incorrectly spelled from a list of four words. This section consists of 12 questions.
Subtest 2: Punctuation and Capitalization
This subtest consists of 24 questions. You are given sentences that may contain incorrect use of punctuation or capitalization. You must identify the error(s). In some cases there may be a number of errors, and in other cases there may be no errors. Possible errors include incorrect usage or missing punctuation, and/or capitalization.
Subtest 3: Grammar
This subtest is divided into two sections. The first section asks you to identify which sentence is the best with regard to grammatical correctness and clarity. This section consists of 12 questions. The second section asks you to choose which of the bolded words or group of words represent an error in grammar. This section consists of five questions.
Subtest 4: Sentence Sequencing
This 18-question subtest asks you to identify the most logical sequence of sentences to make the meaning of the paragraph clear.
Subtest 5: Vocabulary
This subtest is divided into two sections. The first section, which consists of 12 questions, asks that you select the word or phrase that best defines the word in bold. The second section, which consists of 15 questions, asks you to identify the word or phrase that means the opposite of the word in bold.
The time allotted for this test is ninety minutes (1.5 hours). It consists of 112 multiple-choice questions. For each question there are 4 or 5 possible answers; you are to choose the answer that you think is correct. Each correct answer is worth one point. No points are deducted for incorrect answers.
The following table depicts results and associated levels.
Writing Skills in English
Level 1
From 21 to 54
Level 2
From 55 to 88
Level 3
From 89 to 112
Your score is valid for an indefinite period of time provided that the test standards do not change. Should you rewrite the test, your most recent score will be the only valid score.
There is a 180-day waiting period before you can rewrite the test. Should you wish to take this test again, you must wait until after the retest period has elapsed. If you rewrite before the retest period has elapsed, your result will not be valid and a new retest period will be imposed from the new test date.
Candidate information
Before the test
- Ensure you are aware of the exact location, date, and time of your test session.
- Review the sample question(s), if applicable, to familiarize yourself with the test structure.
- If you have a disability that could affect your test performance, you must inform the responsible resourcing advisor, as soon as possible, so that appropriate accommodations can be made.
On the day of the test
- If you do not feel well on the day of the test and you think that this will impact on your test results, you must inform the contact on your letter of invitation as soon as possible.
- Arrive in advance so that you do not feel rushed or overly stressed. You will not be admitted to the room once the test has begun.
- Bring at least one photo identification card and your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) if you are a public servant.
- Do not bring smart phones, cell phones, USB keys, PDAs, digital cameras or any other electronic device into the testing room, they are not permitted. This will save you the trouble of checking them in with the test administrator.
When taking tests in general
- Read the instructions thoroughly and completely before you begin.
- Organize your time, work quickly, and use all the time available.
- If you finish the test before time is up, review your answers.
- For handwritten tests, write neatly so you don't lose points for answers which the scorer cannot read.
When taking multiple-choice tests
- Read the whole question before answering it. Eliminate answers that you know are wrong. By reducing the number of choices, you increase your chance of selecting the correct answer.
- Don't spend too much time on a question that you find too difficult. Leave it and return to it if you have time at the end.
- If completing answer sheets, use only HB pencils that have been provided. Any answers recorded in ink will be scored as incorrect.
- Ensure that the question number on your answer sheet matches the question number you are answering
After the test
Failure to comply with this regulation and/or engaging in a fraudulent practice will result in disciplinary action.
- Do not discuss or share the content of a standardized test. Also, you cannot view or obtain a copy of any standardized test material because they are protected by the Access to Information Act. Section 22 of this act stipulates that:
Additional information for candidates writing online tests
As a test-taker, you may be required to write a test on a computer instead of the traditional paper and pencil format.
Computer skills
Only two computer skills are necessary to write an online test. First, you will need to point your mouse's cursor in specific areas of your screen and click with your index finger. During your online testing session, you will need to use your mouse to mark your answers and, when necessary, to move "back" to a previous question and "next" to the following question. Second, you will use your mouse to point on the scroll bar to the right of the screen in order to move up or down on a page.
Instructions
As with paper and pencil formats of tests, online tests are proctored, which means that test administrators (TA) are present to ensure that the session follows the CRA's administrative and security procedures. For example, the TA will begin with the general test session instructions and then the specific instructions for the test you are taking. TAs will follow all current procedures concerning late candidates, temporary absences from the testing room, withdrawal of candidates from a testing session, candidates requiring accommodations, cheating, disruptive candidates, disputes regarding test questions, emergencies and other situations.
Security and Privacy
Your name is assigned to an electronic version of a specific test. Your session will start with a login screen. You will receive two identification (ID) numbers at the testing session: the first number is your unique Test Taker ID and the other number, the Test Administrator ID. These measures are to ensure test security. The TA will take you through this simple process. Please note: for each online test that you are scheduled to take, you will be issued a unique Test Taker ID.
Timed tests
All CRA online tests are timed; the computer ensures fairness by controlling the duration of the session, from the exact moment each test-taker clicks "Start Your Test". A timer in the upper right corner of the screen will show exactly how much time is left. After the allocated time the computer will close your test. If you finish early, you can use the remaining time to review your answers.
How to respond to questions
Although this will vary from test to test, Figure 1 shows an example of a screen presenting a multiple-choice question. The main elements of this screen are the name of the test (in this case "Practice Test (D01A1E)"), the question number you are responding to, and the total number of questions in the test (in this case "Question 1 / 6"), the actual question and, in the case of a multiple-choice question, the options from which you can choose. Of course, more text can appear, depending upon the amount of text in the question and in the answer choices. Point your mouse's cursor and click the circle next to your answer choice. The upper left corner of the screen shows a "Mark for Review" box you can check to remind yourself to revisit any question later if you have time. Finally, in the bottom portion of the screen, "Back" and "Next" buttons will allow you to move back to the previous question or forward to the next question.
This information will be repeated immediately before the testing session and your test administrator will answer any questions.
How to review your answers
Two strategies are available. During the test, you can use the "Back" and "Next" buttons to navigate within your test. If, after answering all the questions, you have time left, you will see a screen that looks like the one shown in Figure 2. This is the review screen. In this hypothetical example, the upper right corner shows that you still have 3 minutes left to complete the test. The screen shows the answers you provided for all the questions. In this case, the PSC Practice test has 6 questions. For example, at question 1 you answered "4", at question 2 you answered "3", and so on. When "Marked" appears, like as with question 1, it means you checked the "Mark for Review" box for that question. Click on the circle next to the question number, then click on the "Edit" button. This will take you directly to the question. You can change your answer or leave it as is. Marking questions does not influence your score. If you are satisfied, you can click on "Submit". You will then be asked to confirm that you want to end your test. If you click on "Yes" your results will be uploaded and your session will be complete.
Rescores
Rescore requests are not accepted for online tests. Managers are encouraged however to respond to candidates' concerns.
Figure 1
Firgure 2
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I view my test and answer sheet to see where I made mistakes?
A1. You cannot view or obtain a copy of the test booklet because this standardized assessment tool is protected by the Access to Information Act. Section 22 of this Act stipulates that:
"The head of a government institution may refuse to disclose any record requested under this Act that contains information relating to testing or auditing procedures or techniques or details of specific tests to be given or audits to be conducted if the disclosure would prejudice the use or results of particular tests or audits."
Q2. Why is the result of my vocabulary subtest so low?
A2. This subtest is divided into two sections: the first deals with synonyms, and the second deals with antonyms. We have noted that a number of candidates mistakenly select synonyms rather than antonyms in the second section. In doing so, the candidate loses 15 out of 27 points. It is critical that you read the instructions carefully for each section of the test.
Q3. I think I made a mistake when filling out my answer sheet. Can you verify this for me?
A3. No. The NTS Section can only assess the answers as they are provided on the answer sheet. The NTS Section will not verify the test booklets to see whether answers were recorded in it as it is forbidden to write in the booklets.
Q4. Is it possible that an error occurred during the correction of my answer sheet?
A4. It is highly unlikely that an error occurred, given the stringent correction process in place. Only 0.1% of the multiple-choice test results have to be adjusted after being rescored manually. When a score does change, it is usually because 1) the candidate did not completely darken the circle as instructed and/or 2) the candidate changed an answer but neglected to completely erase the original answer.
Q5. What are the retest and validity periods for this test?
A5. You must wait until after the retest period of 180 days has elapsed before you can take the test again. Your test result will remain valid indefinitely unless you rewrite the test, at which time the score you obtain will then become your most recent and valid score.
The 180-day retest period for the Writing Skills in English MCT does not impact on the retest period for the Writing Skills in French MCT (Aptitudes à écrire en français).
Q6. Are the English and the French Writing Skills, Multiple-Choice Tests a direct translation of one another?
A6. Although equivalent, the English and French versions are not direct translations of the other. As the principles of grammar are different between the two languages, it would not be appropriate to create the test in one language and then create a direct translation of it in the other language.
Q7. Why are there different pass marks for the Writing Skills in English and Writing Skills in French MCT?
A7. Pass marks for the tests are set using a specific process. Experts from various sections of the CRA were chosen to carry out this process. One group assessed the English test. Another group assessed the French test. The two groups of experts estimated the percentage of people performing at level 1 who would pass each question on the test. The groups of experts in writing did this exercise separately for the French questions and the English questions. Therefore, to obtain the same percentage of candidates passing each level in the English and French tests, the pass marks had to be set as follows:
| Writing Skills in English | Writing Skills in French | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 21 to 54 | Level 1 | 67 to 75 |
| Level 2 | 55 to 88 | Level 2 | 76 to 82 |
| Level 3 | 89 to 112 | Level 3 | 83 to 112 |
Q8. If I am not successful on the Writing Skills in English MCT, can I write the Writing Skills in French MCT (Aptitudes à écrire en français) for the same selection process?
A8. You may write the Writing Skills Test in the official language of your choice only if the selection process will be used to staff bilingual positions. To do so, you must confirm, prior to taking the test in either language, whether it is your intent to write both the Writing Skills in English test (B300) and the Writing Skills in French test (Aptitudes à écrire en français) (B303) and avail yourself of your best result at the assessment stage or placement stage.
Sample test questions
Instructions and sample test questions have been provided for each of the subtests. Read the instructions carefully for each section and try the test. Then compare your answers with the answer key at the end.
Subtest 1: Spelling
Section I
This section consists of sentences that may contain a spelling error or a word spelled incorrectly in the context. A sentence is split up into four segments, each of which is preceded by the letters (a), (b), (c), or (d). At the end of each sentence, the choice "(e) no error" also appears. Your task is to determine which one of the sentence segments (if any) contains a word that is misspelled or spelled incorrectly in the context. Indicate your answer by selecting (a), (b), (c), or (d) on your answer sheet. Choose (e) only if you believe that the sentence does not contain a spelling error.
1. Yesterday, (a) neather my brother nor I were able to go to school because the (b) weather was very (c) stormy and our road was (d) inaccessible. (e) no error
2. The (a) committee spent the (b) whole evening (c) argueing about how to make up the year's shortfall in (d) revenue. (e) no error
3. The (a) answers to the test questions were (b) accidentely left on the board, and a number of students took full (c) advantage of this rare (d) opportunity. (e) no error
Section II
In this section, your task is to choose which of the four words shown is spelled incorrectly. Each word is identified as a choice with the letters (a), (b), (c), and (d). Choose (e) if you believe they are all spelled correctly. Indicate your answer by selecting (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) on your answer sheet.
4.
- adolescence
- article
- government
- asisstance
- no error
5.
- grammar
- magazine
- mathamatics
- interfere
- no error
6.
- marriage
- oscillate
- separate
- quarter
- no error
Subtest 2: Punctuation and Capitalization
The questions in this subtest consist of a sentence that may contain incorrect use of punctuation or capitalization. Read the sentences carefully and identify the error(s). Errors may include incorrect usage of or missing punctuation and/or capitalization. Some sentences may contain more than one error and others none. Whichever the case, you should choose only one answer. Indicate your answer by selecting (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) on your answer sheet.
Below are the names given to the various forms of punctuation:
Comma
,
Period
.
Colon
:
Apostrophe
'
Quotation marks
" "
Question mark
?
Exclamation mark
!
7. My brother, Frank is an accountant who works for the government.
- capitalization
- period
- comma
- both a and c
- none of these
8. Yesterday, my father and mother celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary, and they left for a Mediterranean cruise.
- comma
- period
- capitalization
- question mark
- no error
Subtest 3: Grammar
Section I
Each question in this section presents four sentences. Identify which sentence is the best with regard to grammatical correctness and clarity. Indicate your answer by selecting (a), (b), (c), or (d) on your answer sheet.
9.
- Last week, we cut down the tree that we had planted 20 years ago, and we cried bitter tears as the saw made the final cuts.
- Last week, we cut down the tree that we had planted 20 years ago, we cried bitter tears as the saw made the final cuts.
- The tree that we had planted 20 years ago last week was cut down and we cried bitter tears as the saw made the final cuts.
- The tree was cut down last week after 20 years and we cried.
10.
- The prince, having realize that he was fatally wounded, quickly recounted the tale of treachery and deceit.
- The prince quickly recounted the tale of treachery and deceit when he realized that he was fatally wounded.
- When he realized that he was fatally wounded the prince quickly recounted the tale of treachery and deceit.
- Having realized that he was fatally wounded the tale of treachery and deceit was quickly recounted.
Section II
This section consists of sentences in which words or groups of words are in bold. Read each sentence carefully, then choose which of the bolded words or groups of words represent an error in grammar. Each word or group of words is preceded by the letter (a), (b) or (c). If none of the bolded words or groups of words is grammatically incorrect, choose answer (d) "no error." Indicate your answer by selecting (a), (b), (c), or (d) on your answer sheet.
11. The class (a) were going (b) on a trip to the (c) Museum of Civilization. (d) no error
12. The book (a) was very special as (b) they had been (c) passed down through three generations. (d) no error
Subtest 4: Sentence sequencing
This subtest consists of paragraphs, each containing four sentences. Read each paragraph carefully, then choose the most logical sequence for the sentences in order to have the paragraph "make sense." Indicate your answer by selecting (a), (b), (c), or (d) on your answer sheet.
13.
- By the end of January, many people experience what is known as "cabin fever."
- Winters in Canada are cold and long.
- The symptoms are irritability, depression, and frustration.
- To treat this ailment, some people go on vacation to a warm destination while the rest of us just grit our teeth until spring.
- A-B-C-D
- A-C-D-B
- D-A-C-B
- B-A-C-D
14.
- The hardened soap was cut into bars and left to cure for a month.
- In the early pioneer days, modern luxuries such as ready-made soap were non-existent.
- During the soap-making process, hot lye and fats were mixed together and left for a few days to harden.
- People made their own crude, harsh soap with items they kept on hand in the kitchen.
- A-B-C-D
- B-D-C-A
- D-A-C-B
- B-A-C-D
Subtest 5: Vocabulary
Section I (synonyms)
Select the word or phrase among the various options that best defines the word in bold. Indicate your answer by selecting (a), (b), (c), or (d) on your answer sheet.
15. Repulsive
- disgusting
- beautiful
- cluttered
- untidy
16. Ominous
- happy
- threatening
- perfect
- stormy
17. Lenient
- severe
- wise
- not strict
- abusive
Section II (antonyms)
Select the word or phrase among the various options that is the opposite of the bolded word. Indicate your answer by selecting (a), (b), (c), or (d) on your answer sheet.
18. Versatile
- well-rounded
- poorly dressed
- inflexible
- lively
19. Hostile
- aggressive
- arrogant
- slight
- amicable
20. Gentle
- rough
- delicate
- clumsy
- nice
Answer Key
Subtest 1 - Spelling
Section I
1. The correct answer is (a). The word "neather" should be spelled "neither."
2. The correct answer is (c). The word "argueing" should be spelled "arguing."
3. The correct answer is (b). The word "accidentely" should be spelled "accidentally."
Section II
4. The correct answer is (d). The word "asisstance" should be spelled "assistance."
5. The correct answer is (c). The word "mathamatics" should be spelled "mathematics."
6. The correct answer is (e). There are no spelling errors.
Subtest 2: Punctuation and Capitalization
7. The correct answer is (c). A comma should be inserted directly after the name "Frank."
8. The correct answer is (e). There are no errors in this sentence.
Subtest 3: Grammar
Section 1
9. The correct answer is (a). In (b), the conjunction "and" should be inserted after the word "ago." In (c), the phrase "last week" is misplaced. In (d), a comma should be placed before the word "after" and after the word "years."
10. The correct answer is (b). In (a), the word "realize" should be replaced by the word "realized." In (c), a comma should be inserted after the word "wounded." In (d), the subject does not follow directly after the introductory clause, in effect creating a dangling participle.
Section II
11. The correct answer is (a). The word "were" should be substituted with the word "was."
12. The correct answer is (b). The word "they" should be substituted with the word "it."
Subtest 4: Sentence sequencing
13. The correct answer is (d). Sentence (b) is the introductory sentence. Sentence (a) introduces the main topic of the paragraph. Sentence (c) gives further detail regarding the topic. Sentence (d) provides a concluding idea.
14. The correct answer is (b). Sentence (b) is the introductory sentence. Sentence (d) introduces the main topic of the paragraph. Sentence (c) gives further detail regarding the topic. Sentence (a) provides a concluding idea.
Subtest 5: Vocabulary
Section I
15. The correct answer is (a). The word "repulsive" is most similar in meaning to the word "disgusting."
16. The correct answer is (b). The word "ominous" is most similar in meaning to the word "threatening."
17. The correct answer is (c). The word "lenient" is most similar in meaning to the phrase "not strict."
Section II
18. The correct answer is (c). The expression that is opposite in meaning to the word "versatile" is "inflexible."
19. The correct answer is (d). The expression that is opposite in meaning to the word "hostile" is "amicable."
20. The correct answer is (a). The expression that is opposite in meaning to the word "gentle" is "rough."