Practice and Training Test Resources

The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is composed of the Initial ELPAC and Summative ELPAC as well as the Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC. The practice and training tests allow students, parents/guardians, families, teachers, administrators, and others an opportunity to become familiar with the computer-based test delivery platform as well as the types of test questions that may appear on the operational test at each grade level or grade span.

The practice test includes examples of all the types of test questions that may appear in the operational test at each grade level or grade span and mirrors a full-length operational test. The training test is shorter compared to the practice test and includes some sample test questions for each domain.

Table of Contents:

Practice Tests and Training Tests

• Test examiners should access the online Test Administrator and Test Examiner Practice and Training Site . Quick Reference Guides on how to start training tests and practice tests are available on the ELPAC Videos and Quick Reference Guides web page.
• Students should access the Student Interface Practice and Training Test website for the online tests.

Test examiners will need to use the Directions for Administration (DFAs) and follow the instructions when administering the online practice tests and training tests.

• Training test DFAs provide an overview of the ELPAC or Alternate ELPAC and instructions to use when administering the online training tests.
• Practice test DFAs provide an overview of the ELPAC or Alternate ELPAC and instructions to use when administering the online practice tests.
• Practice test scoring guides provide details about student response types, correct responses, and related scoring considerations for the included sample of practice test items.

Initial ELPAC and Summative ELPAC

Key differences to consider when using these practice and training test resources to prepare for the Initial and Summative ELPAC:

The following are key differences to consider when using these practice test and training test resources to prepare for the Initial ELPAC and Summative ELPAC:

• The online ELPAC practice tests can be used to prepare for either the Initial ELPAC or the Summative ELPAC. The online ELPAC practice tests are based on the full-length Summative ELPAC. However, these practice tests can also be used to prepare students for the Initial ELPAC since the task types used in the Initial ELPAC are a subset of the task types appearing in the Summative ELPAC.
• The following task types appear on the Summative ELPAC and do not appear in the Initial ELPAC:
  • Speaking: Present and Discuss Information
  • Reading: Read a Student Essay
  • Writing: Write About Academic Information
• The Initial ELPAC is combined for grades nine through twelve. Students may use the ELPAC practice test for grade span nine and ten or grade span eleven and twelve to prepare for the Initial ELPAC.

Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC

The following are key differences from the operational assessments to consider when using these practice test and training test resources to prepare for the Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC:

• The online Alternate ELPAC practice tests can be used to prepare for either the Initial Alternate ELPAC or the Summative Alternate ELPAC. The online Alternate ELPAC practice tests are based on the full-length Initial Alternate ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC.
• The Initial Alternate ELPAC is combined for grades nine through twelve. Students may use the Alternate ELPAC practice test for grade span nine and ten or grade span eleven and twelve to prepare for the Initial Alternate ELPAC.

Practice Test Picture Cards

For the Alternate ELPAC, test examiners have the ability to use picture cards during the student's test administration. Picture cards are a resource used for students who communicate using picture cards or an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device. These picture cards should not be substituted during operational test administration. Print or upload the picture cards to the student's AAC device as appropriate. All of the practice test picture cards for each grade level or grade span can be accessed via the following link:

• Alternate ELPAC Picture Cards—All Grades (Posted 09/01/21)

Answer Choice Cards

Test examiners have the option to use answer choice cards that are available as a stand-alone PDF. Some students communicate using picture cards or answer choice cards. If test examiners do not have standardized answer choice cards for use in the classroom, they may use the answer choice cards accessed via the following link:

• Alternate ELPAC Answer Choice Cards (Posted 02/02/21)