Wales Digital College Welsh Language Correctness Test

What is the Test?

This test, aimed at fluent speakers of Welsh, examines language correctness on paper. It does not test general communicative skills but concentrates on the technical language areas which cause problems for so many Welsh speakers - when to double the 'n', when to mutate, which prepositions to use, etc. Success in this test indicates that the candidate is correct enough on paper to undertake a job/duties requiring a certain level of correctness. The candidate could, of course, be completely unsuitable for other reasons.

Employers and those responsible for appointing Welsh speakers to positions should read the special notes concerning this test.

Who should sit this test?

The test is available to all and some sit it as a matter of personal interest - or for fun. If you are an employer you may find it useful to encourage employees to try out their skills as part of a human resource development scheme. Acen would be delighted to advise employers who feel they have a skills deficit in this area - post@radioacen.fm.

If an employer is presented with a certificate from this site, the advice in the special notes should be read.

All candidates who score 60% or over will be offered certification and the certificates show the actual score.

Aiming at the right level

All candidates who score 60% or over will be offered certification. However, those working at particular levels should aim higher. The following are general guidelines.

• Level 1 (at least 60%): Administrative, secretarial or teaching duties where a Welsh language expert (not the person who sat the test) is responsible for checking and correcting work.
• Level 2 (at least 65%): Administrative or secretarial work which is not seen by the public or by any person who could react in a negative manner to language mistakes.
• Level 3 (at least 75%): Administrative, secretarial or professional work seen by others including colleagues and individual members of the public but which is not likely to be seen by any person who could react in a negative manner to language mistakes.
• Level 4 (at least 85%): Administrative, secretarial or professional work seen by specific public groups known to the author but which is not likely to be seen by any person who could react in a negative manner to language mistakes.
• Level 5 (at least 93%): Specialist language work - Editing, preparing materials for mass media exposure including TV, preparing materials for children/students, translating, submitting academic work.

Is registration compulsory?

No! However, students who wish to receive certification must register with Wales Digital College when asked to do so. They will then be given their exact score.

Do candidates have to pay a fee?

No. The basic service - the test and the certification is free of charge. Those who need a hard copy of the certificate (full colour) can request a copy and there is a fee of £7.50 for that service.