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Test Preparation Services (TPS)
Information on taking the CanTEST exam in East Ottawa and the path for finding a tutor or self-studying CanTEST in East Ottawa
Ottawa
Ontario |
TPS - CanTEST Exam Prep in East Ottawa
For those of you in the Ottawa East area, CanTEST is a viable option for you and deserves to be considered as an alternative to IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL, PTE or MELAB. CanTEST does have some study opportunities for studying CanTEST and there is an authorized place to take the test as well as study materials. The purpose of this page is to help a student be informed about the test and to guide a student in his or her quest for a study plan.
What I should know about CanTEST?
The first thing to realize is that CanTEST is a new test developed right here in Ottawa with the , and for most newly developed tests, the advantages are that they tend to be better developed in terms of using more authentic reading and listening, being more localized, being cheaper and often being more flexible in their policies such as cancellation and retakes. Registration can be easier or more difficult to find a spot
The disadvantages are that tests like CanTEST, CAEL and PTE are usually not offered as often and self study practice material is often hard to come by.
Do not assume that because CanTEST is a smaller testing organization, it is any less professional. Often staff at smaller testing organizations such as CanTEST PTE or CAEL act more professionally, since they are not so commercially driven. It is quite likely that your speaking and writing examiners may from their own full time staff, rather than part time examiners trained in large groups at weekend workshops. The assessment may even be more carefully done. For example, CanTEST assesses the writing exam with two assessors that must confer.
The disadvantages are that tests like CanTEST, CAEL and PTE are usually not offered as often and self study practice material is often hard to come by.
Do not assume that because CanTEST is a smaller testing organization, it is any less professional. Often staff at smaller testing organizations such as CanTEST PTE or CAEL act more professionally, since they are not so commercially driven. It is quite likely that your speaking and writing examiners may from their own full time staff, rather than part time examiners trained in large groups at weekend workshops. The assessment may even be more carefully done. For example, CanTEST assesses the writing exam with two assessors that must confer.
Home Tutoring
For optimum efficiency in your program, with a custom-made program around your busy schedule, look through the CanTest tutor Ottawa East page for to see what is open. Tutoirals are flexible in length and can specialize in areas you feel are your weakness. THe tutoring will be based arounf the practice exam provided on the official site and extra material will be provided.
Outside of the Home Tutoring
You may find it nice to get away from your home to study and this is more than possible by finding a good spot at a public library in East Ottawa or at a community center in Ottawa East such as Sandy Hill Community center and Old Town Hall. If this is an option you would prefer, contact us and we can arrange a schedule.
Taking Classes
I could find actual schools that offered CanTEST classes in Ottawa East so the best option is to get a tutor and to go through the preparation materials offered by CanTEST
Self Study
At this point, CanTEST has only the resources offered by the University of Ottawa's preparation materials page However, I located an excellent list of resource links from the University of Price Edward Island on CanTEST. which gives links to great sites in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Test Taking
The only place to take CanTEST in Ottawa is at the University of Ottawa - specifically:University of Ottawa Language Testing Services. Test dates are not frequent but this could change in the future. To see the full location address, dates, fees, cancellation and fees either go to my simplified site or the official one
Need information about the CanTEST?
I have a page that shows the parts, score system and some comments about the advantages and disadvantages but in addition I would advise you to go through the PDF information and sample test put out by the official CanTEST site. At TPS, we strongly advise you to get to know the test before taking tutorials because the last thing either you or your tutor wants to come across is a change of heart about the exam halfway though the program.