Recommended period between re-sits EUROCONTROL as the ELPAC test developer is not in a position to prescribe a period which has to elapse before the ELPAC test can be taken again. The decision is to be taken by the National Service Provider as the test user. EUROCONTROL would, because of the possible impact on safety to aviation, strongly recommend this period to be at least three months, ideally longer. The ELPAC test is a language proficiency test. Language proficiency by its very nature is something that cannot be memorised and thus, having failed the test one day, a candidate cannot expect to pass it a few days later - just because of a short intensive course. This might theoretically be the case only for candidates who narrowly fail on the first attempt and who would only have to improve slightly to pass. Candidates who on the other hand fail badly on the first attempt would have to improve substantially to pass. The ELPAC test comprises two test papers that are an integral part of ELPAC. A failure in either Paper 1 or Paper 2 necessitates a resit in BOTH papers.  Note: the extent by which a candidate fails Paper 1 is known only to the ELPAC Global Administrator. All candidates can download the ELPAC Guidelines for Test-takers from www.elpac.info. These Guidelines not only include a detailed description of the test but also useful tips for test takers. All candidates are strongly recommended to take the ELPAC Paper 1 sample test available on www.elpacsample.info and watch sample videos with ELPAC Paper 2 performances available on the same website. This reduces the test format unfamiliarity factor to the minimum and if candidates are at ICAO level 4 or above they should have no problems passing the ELPAC test. Those failing the test are then below ICAO level 4 and would need a remedial training to be brought up to the required level. EUROCONTROL would recommend that English teachers at organisations using ELPAC prepare diagnostic tests to see which areas of language proficiency need special attention and prepare tailor-made English language courses. Some candidates may require a much longer time than three months and that is why the final decision on when a candidate can re-sit the test should be made in consultation with English teachers after they analyse the results of their in-house diagnostic tests.

Language functions were selected on the basis of frequency and importance in aeronautical communications. Although the ELPAC development team benefited from previous experience with the PELA test, the ELPAC test specifications went through a number of drafts and revisions as a result of debate and discussion between subject matter experts and linguists before final test specifications, including content, were produced.

Successful administration of the ELPAC test requires trained and accredited
     -   test administrators,
     -   Paper 1 (Listening comprehension) markers and
     -   Paper 2 (Oral Interaction) examiners (2).

One person, depending on his/her expertise, can easily fulfil more than one function; e.g. test administrator and Paper 2 examiner.
It is recommended that a minimum of three people are trained and accredited to administer the ELPAC test.

For more details on the personnel required for an efficient administration of ELPAC, please click here.

The final number of personnel required will depend on the size of the organisation and the number of controllers to be examined at any one time.
 

The Adminstration of the ELPAC Test is the responsibility of the National Supervisory Authority of a EUROCONTROL Member State, who may delegate this task to their Air Navigation Service Provider.

On an individual basis, for each State, it is the trained and accredited National Administrator who administers the ELPAC Test.

EUROCONTROL has developed sufficient versions of the ELPAC Test (including a sample test) for Air Navigation Service Providers to  test the language proficiency of their air traffic controllers. These versions have been available on the ELPAC servers since 31st July 2007. More versions are being prepared.

ELPAC will be delivered to trained* and accredited test administrators of the Air Navigation Service Providers or National Supervisory Authorities of EUROCONTROL and ECAC Member States.

ELPAC is not available to other organisations, unless with the express approval of EUROCONTROL.

ELPAC will not be available to individual persons.

* EUROCONTROL organises training/accreditation workshops for administrators, Paper 1 markers and Paper 2 examiners (see Menu item "Accreditation Workshops"). Individuals are accredited by their State.
 

As far as possible all controller communications will comply with ICAO phraseology but some national variations may be admitted. Pilot transmissions will be used “as is”. Controllers should communicate using standard ICAO phraseology but (for the present) understand all messages as transmitted by pilots.

All ELPAC test items are based on authentic aeronautical communications, modified as necessary for testing purposes and to preserve the anonymity of the participants in the original communications.
 

The ICAO language proficiency rating scale applies to both phraseology and plain language in aeronautical communication. That is to say that in aeronautical communication both phraseology AND plain language relevant to the context of the communication, must be tested. It is important that a candidate demonstrates the ability to switch effortlessly between phraseology and plain language. Separate tests of phraseology and general English are not appropriate.

ELPAC is a language proficiency test not a diagnostic or placement test. A fail (below level 4) does not require grading. The performance requirement for level 6 is beyond that required for aeronautical communication; in addition, it is also impractical to design one test to cover levels 4, 5 and 6.

For example - level 6 requires using idioms extensively, accurate comprehension in all contexts (not just work related), comprehension of cultural and linguistic subtleties and sensitiveness to both verbal and non-verbal cues. This is not what should be happening on the frequency. If level 6 is to be tested, it will require a separate test going beyond the operational work context of air traffic controllers.

No. Level 4 proficiency must be demonstrated in EACH of the ELPAC test papers. The ICAO language proficiency rating scale includes descriptors for pronunciation, fluency, structure, vocabulary, interactions and comprehension. Evidence of appropriate performance in all criteria must be demonstrated and this is only possible when both ELPAC Paper 1 and Paper 2 are taken. The final assessment grade awarded is based on the lowest level obtained in either test paper.

Paper 1 (Listening Comprehension) has items that will determine a candidate′s proficiency at level 4 or level 5. However, in order to obtain a mark at level 5, a pass must first be obtained in items rated at level 4 before achieving the necessary score for level 5.

Paper 2: a candidate′s proficiency will be progressively rated as the various tasks are completed. The final assessment will be based on the lowest score obtained for any of the (6) criteria. For example, if a candidate is assessed as fluency 5, structure 5, vocabulary 5, interaction 4, pronunciation 5 and comprehension 5. The awarded score will be at level 4.

A candidate’s final score for ELPAC will be the lowest level obtained in either Paper 1 or Paper 2. For example a 4 in Paper 1 and a 5 in Paper 2 would result in a level 4 in overall proficiency. 

No, but in Paper 2 (Oral Interaction) there are scenarios designed to be more relevant to the different ATC disciplines, providing a familiar context to the candidate – not different versions.

Above all, ELPAC is a test of language proficiency - not of ATC knowledge or
 

In ELPAC there are two test papers: Paper 1 - Listening Comprehension (Internet based) and Paper 2 - Oral Interaction (live, structured, interview type test with two examiners).