Why did the PSC replace the old SLE-Writing Test?
All tests have a certain life span. The old SLE Writing Test had been in use for over 20 years. As a result of the long shelf life of this test, it was necessary to develop a new test in order to ensure that it continues to reflect today’s second official language use and second language assessment trends. How is the new SLE-Test of Written Expression or its shortened version different from the old test? • The multiple-choice test contains three types of questions: (1) Fill in the blank; (2) Error identification and correction; and, (3) Editing the text. Examples of the new types of questions are available at the following Web site: http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/ppc-cpp/sle-els/wrtng-test-xprssn-ecrt-eng.htm. • Knowledge of grammar, structure, usage, etc., is assessed in a more integrated fashion. This is considered by the experts to be an excellent way to assess writing tasks when using a multiple-choice test format. • The test instructions are provided in both official languages (English
