Families and students enrolled at Holliston High School can register here for the 2023 STAMP 4S exams to be administered at HHS.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: March 2, 2023
Please read through the information & then click on Order the STAMP Exam to submit an order.
1. Registration & Fees
Students in grade 11 can register for the 2023 exam.
The exam for Juniors will be administered at HHS in the LAB on Tuesday March 21 and Thursday March 23, between 12:00pm (noon) and 3:00pm.
Exam Fee:
- $26 per exam
2. What is Avant STAMP 4S?
Avant STAMP (STAndards-based Measurement of Proficiency) 4S determines language proficiency in 4 domains (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking,) for grades 7-16. Avant STAMP 4S is web-based and computer-adaptive, with real-world questions on topics selected to be level-appropriate based on research into topics taught at each level. The questions engage learners, and because Avant STAMP 4S is adaptive, students are able to demonstrate their own actual proficiency level without any pre-set upper limits. Avant STAMP was originally developed by the Center for Applied Second Language Studies, a National Foreign Language Resource Center at the University of Oregon and funded by the US Department of Education. Avant STAMP 4S has been validated by field testing and expert panels. It is a secure test that requires a proctor during administration.
3. What is computer adaptive testing?
Avant STAMP 4S is computer-adaptive, meaning that the level of question difficulty that a student is presented with is based on the number of correct answers they have logged so far in the assessment. The testing engine automatically adapts to each student’s level, up or down, as the test progresses. In addition, prompts for the productive skills (Writing and Speaking) are based on the proficiency level attained for the corresponding receptive skills (Reading and Listening). This approach was pioneered at Avant Assessment, the first company to develop commercial-grade, multi-stage, computer-adaptive tests for language learning, beginning in 2001.
4. Who uses Avant STAMP 4S?
Avant STAMP 4S is used by educators to measure student growth and evaluate programs, empowering informed decision-making around professional development and instructional planning. It is also used by students who can use it to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy, or for credit by exam in a number of states and districts.
5. What grade levels are appropriate for Avant STAMP 4S?
Avant STAMP 4S is targeted for learners in grades 7 through Adult.
6. What languages are offered in Avant STAMP 4S?
Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified and Traditional), Polish Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Additional languages can be requested, but are subject to approval.
7. How long does it take to complete the Avant STAMP 4S?
Avant STAMP 4S is not timed. Students may pause and resume Avant STAMP 4S at any point. On average, students take around 120 minutes to fully complete the assessment.
8. How long does it take to complete per domain?
Reading: 35-40 minutes
Writing: 20-25 minutes
Listening: 35-40 minutes
Speaking: 20-25 minutes
9. How many questions will learners encounter on Avant STAMP 4S?
Reading: approximately 30 multiple choice questions
Writing: 3 prompts
Listening: approximately 30 multiple choice questions
Speaking: 3 prompts
10. Can I cancel my exam and receive a refund?
No. Cancellations and refunds of the exam fees is not possible.
11. When and where do I report for the exam?
Students report to the Holliston High School World Language Lab.
