Insights into English Test Results

Tracktest Analysis

Have you ever wondered how your English test results compare to the other candidates?
Here are some comprehensive insights based on data collected at the Tracktest assessment platform in calendar years 2023-2024.

Most Popular English Levels

The B2 level (Upper-intermediate or Vantage) is the most popular among Tracktest users, with about one-third of all exams taken at this level. This level is often seen as the minimum proving an “active command of the English language”.

Following B2, the A2 (Elementary) and B1 (Intermediate) levels are also commonly taken.

The most challenging C levels (Proficient English User, C1 and C2) together account for 14% of all English exams. This distribution highlights the demand for proficiency at various stages of language learning, with a significant focus on achieving a functional command of English.

English Test Difficulty

At Tracktest, 67% of test-takers pass successfully, meaning they score more than 65% on the Core or Complete test.

The average score for the Core test is 71%, while the Complete test, which includes all four skills (Core test and Speaking and Writing), has an average score of 62%.

The Complete test is more challenging due to the inclusion of productive skills, which require active language use and are often more difficult for learners to master.

Skill Challenges

The Core test evaluates three skills: Grammar (Use of English), Reading, and Listening comprehension. The average scores for these skills are fairly balanced, with Grammar being slightly more challenging at 69.4%, followed by Reading at 70% and Listening at 73%.

This balance suggests that learners generally have a consistent level of proficiency across these receptive skills, though Grammar poses a slightly greater challenge.

Speaking is the most difficult part of the Complete test, with an average score of 59%. This lower score reflects the common difficulty learners face in producing spoken language, which requires not only knowledge of vocabulary and grammar but also the ability to use them fluently and accurately in real-time communication.
Writing, with an average score of 61%, also presents challenges, particularly in organizing ideas and using appropriate language structures.

Grammar Challenges

The most difficult grammar categories for exam-takers are Modal verbs and Prepositions, each appearing in 20% of test feedback.
Modal verbs, which express necessity, possibility, permission, and ability, can be tricky due to their nuanced meanings and usage. Prepositions (and Prepositional phrases), which indicate relationships between different elements in a sentence, are also challenging because their use often does not directly translate from learners’ native languages.

Other grammar topics vary in difficulty depending on the level. For instance, beginners might struggle more with basic tenses and articles, while advanced learners might find complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions more challenging.
Each finished test is accompanied by feedback on the grammar categories where the test-taker made the most mistakes, helping learners identify and focus on their weak areas. Tracktest offers a dedicated page for more detailed information on grammar requirements for each level.

Performance by Profession, Age and Location

Different professions show varying strengths in English skills. For example, professionals in the legal field tend to excel in Reading comprehension due to their need to analyze and understand complex texts. This skill is crucial for their work, which often involves interpreting detailed legal documents and constructing precise arguments.
In the chart below, you can find the grouped results of Tracktest customer- a language school providing English courses for professionals in various fields. Groups of legal professionals (law firms, legal advisors) scored the best in Reading comprehension (green bar) while having the average results in others (top three groups in the chart).  

Reading comprehension is also influenced by age, as the part of the brain responsible for this skill develops later. Research indicates that the brain regions involved in reading comprehension, such as the frontotemporal semantic network, continue to mature into adolescence and early adulthood.
Younger children often have more difficulty with reading comprehension because their brains are still developing the necessary neural connections for integrating and understanding complex texts. As children grow older, their reading comprehension skills improve significantly, allowing them to tackle more sophisticated materials and perform better in tasks requiring deep understanding and analysis.

On the other hand, young school students typically perform better in grammar and writing, likely due to their recent and ongoing education in these areas. (see also the grade-appropriate level recommendations for IB schools).

Test-takers living in English-speaking countries generally achieve the best scores in Listening and Speaking. Their immersion in an English-speaking environment provides them with more opportunities to practice and refine these skills in everyday situations.

Conclusion

These average results offer a broad overview but may not apply universally to all segments and professions. The data underscores the critical role of comprehensive testing and the value of detailed feedback for each skill. By identifying specific strengths and weaknesses, learners can tailor their study approaches to address their unique challenges.
This targeted feedback helps set realistic goals, focus efforts on areas needing improvement, and ultimately leads to better performance and greater confidence in using the English language. Tracktest’s detailed feedback ensures that learners receive the guidance they need to make meaningful progress in their language proficiency.