Versant by app English language test: Assessment tools for business

A woman sat in a call centre with a headset smiling

You may have heard about Versant by app, an English test you can take remotely. You may have also heard that companies often use it for interviewing job candidates.

But what does the test assess? And is it the right English proficiency test for you - or your company?

In today's language learning blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Versant by app. You’ll find out who it’s for, which language skills it tests, and why companies use it to assess candidates.

What is Versant by app?

Versant by app allows companies to quickly and efficiently evaluate the English language proficiency of their current or future employees. It helps HR managers assess candidates' language skills; as a result, companies can use it for recruitment, training, or promotion purposes.

The tests use artificial intelligence, machine learning, and auto-marketing technologies to streamline testing. This way, they can score assessments automatically, quickly, reliably, and securely.

Explore and learn more about Versant by app

Who is the Versant by app test for?

Imagine that HR Manager Maria has to hire a dozen new customer service representatives for her company. She only has a month to do it and is already overwhelmed with her other HR duties. And now, she has to screen tens - and potentially hundreds - of candidates. Above all, she needs to find people with a good enough English level to excel in a demanding customer service position.

Test takers can complete Versant by app English tests online or offline, anytime, from anywhere. So if Maria chooses to use Versant by app tests to assess her candidates, she can run and deliver hundreds of standardized tests and get instant results.

Moreover, the administration of the test is very intuitive, so it won’t take up too much of her time. And the easy-to-understand detailed score reports that it provides will make her hiring decisions all the easier.

Similarly, a job seeker will be delighted to take an online English test from the comfort of their own home. Since test delivery is flexible, they can choose a time that suits them. All they need is a reliable internet connection and a headset with a built-in microphone.

The test will provide solid proof of the candidate's English level by evaluating language skills accurately and reliably. So they can demonstrate to the company just how well-equipped they are to do the job they're applying for.

How is Versant by app structured and which skills does it test?

Different companies have different assessment needs. Some need their employees’ language skills to be well-rounded. Others focus on speaking skills. Others put a stronger emphasis on writing. Therefore, the Versant by app suite has four types of English proficiency tests to cater to all these needs:

1. The Professional English Test

The Professional English Test is the most thorough of the 4 test types. It takes 60 minutes to complete and assesses all four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. It has 10 different task types covering a broad range of language abilities. The Professional English Test is a comprehensive test. So, it’s the best choice for companies that need their employees to have mastered all aspects of the English language.

2. The English Speaking and Listening Test

The English Speaking and Listening Testis a shorter, 17-minute English proficiency test focusing on evaluating speaking and listening skills. It assesses the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in English with tasks that target fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary, and sentence mastery. Thanks to this, it’s best for companies whose employees use spoken English primarily. For example, call centers, hotels, or delivery drivers.This test replaces the Versant by app English Test, which retired in 2024.

3. The English Writing Test

The English Writing Test takes up to 35 minutes to complete. It allows companies to gauge the writing abilities of candidates. It tests skills such as grammar, vocabulary, organization, voice & tone, and reading comprehension.

This English test for interviews is ideal for companies whose employees primarily use English in writing. For example, they use English for taking notes, responding to emails and chats, or writing product descriptions.

4. The English 4-Skills Essentials Test

The English 4-Skills Essential test is for companies looking to hire employees who are proficient in all four English language skills. Companies usually use it for filling entry-level positions. The test has a shorter time frame of 30 minutes and can be delivered flexibly online. Therefore, it’s ideal for fulfilling urgent recruitment needs.

What are the key benefits and features of Versant by app tests for administrators?

The tests are straightforward to administer. They seamlessly blend into an HR manager’s routine. Here are some of the key benefits of it's English proficiency tests for administrators:

1. Automated scoring

Versant by app has been perfecting its AI-based assessment technology for over 25 years. Because of the incredible amount of research that has gone into creating a reliable scoring system, it is able to automatically mark tests without the need for a human scorer. This provides a wide range of benefits for companies.

Firstly, they can save time and money when testing job candidates. Secondly, unlike human scorers, Versant by app is free of bias and scores every candidate in a completely objective and consistent way. And thirdly, it prevents cheating by automatically alerting administrators of any suspicious test-taker behavior.

2. Score reports

Another huge benefit is that it presents instant results in easy-to-read score reports. These contain detailed information about the candidate’s language abilities. And they highlight skills that companies deem important so administrators can evaluate them at a glance.

Score reports assign a CEFR or equivalent Global Scale of English score to the candidate. Consequently, the candidate’s results become comparable to international standards. And the score reports contain suggestions for improvement, so candidates like Fred can practice the tasks that they’re not yet proficient at.

3. ScoreKeeper test administration tool

Last but not least, the tests come with the handy ScoreKeeper administration tool. It lets administrators deploy tests and review score reports in an easy-to-use platform. ScoreKeeper was designed with HR professionals in mind. As a result, managing tests, uploading rosters, and exporting results with the tool is a breeze.

Why do HR managers choose Versant by app tests?

From the above points, it’s easy to see why an HR Manager would choose Versant by app.

Versant by app automated language tests are an essential tool for scaling up your recruitment and candidate testing efforts. Most importantly, they allow HR Managers to save time and resources. And they let them focus on what they do best instead of trying to screen hundreds of candidates for English skills.

It doesn’t just significantly speed up the hiring process and cut down on costs. Above all, it lets HR departments manage secure, reliable, and bias-free standardized tests in bulk.

If you think that your organization could benefit from a quick, easy and reliable automated English proficiency test,find out more about Versant by app.

Contact us to book a meeting to learn more

Hire with confidence using our simple guide to language skill assessment

Find out when the best time to administer language assessment is, how to leverage results for business growth, and more.

5 steps to assessing candidates English language skills

More blogs from app

  • A man sat on a bench outdoors holding a phone smiling

    Translating sayings into English – with some funny results

    By Steffanie Zazulak
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    We all use phrases to express our emotions and feelings. These are known as idioms – an expression with a figurative meaning that differs from its literal meaning. Sometimes they don’t appear to make any sense at all and this is because they have evolved to mean different things.

    We’ve previously looked at some of the strangest English phrases – where they came from and what they mean. But these quirks of speech exist in many different languages. Here, we take a closer look at some common phrases and you’ll see that translating your favorite sayings into English can produce some amusing results.

    Not my circus, not my monkey

    This idiom, “nie mój cyrk, nie moje malpy”, is used by Polish speakers to state that something is not their responsibility or “not my problem”.

    An English phrase with a similar meaning is: “Tell it to the hand.”

    Not all doughnuts come with a hole

    This English translation of the Italian phrase “non tutte le ciambelle riescono col buco”, is a reminder that things do not always turn out the way we expect. A “ciambelle” is a round cake that is popular as a treat in Italy.

    An English phrase with a similar meaning is: “You win some, you lose some.”

    The raisin at the end of a hot dog

    This Icelandic saying, “rúsínan í pylsuendanum”, acknowledges that it’s not usual to find a raisin at the end of a hot dog – so sometimes you might find an unexpected surprise at the end of something.

    An English phrase with a similar meaning is: “Out of the blue.”

    I’m not hanging noodles on your ears

    This Russian saying, “вешать лапшу на уши”, means you’re not trying to fool someone, emphasising that what you’re saying is true – even if it appears to be a surprise.

    An English phrase with a similar meaning is: “I’m not pulling your leg.”

    As clear as dumpling broth

    A sarcastic saying from Germany, “klar wie Kloßbrühe”, means that something is not at all clear – because dumpling soup is not at all clear or easy to see through.

    An English phrase with a similar meaning is: “Clear as mud.”

    Pay the duck

    This Portuguese phrase, “pagar o pato”, is used when someone takes the blame for something they didn’t do.

    An English phrase with a similar meaning is: “Be the fall guy.”

    Give pumpkins to someone

    We’re not sure why giving pumpkins to someone became such a bad thing in Spanish-speaking countries, but this idiom, “Dar calabazas a alguien”, means that you reject someone.

    An English phrase with a similar meaning is: “Show them the door.”

    To let a frog out of your mouth

    This Finnish saying, “päästää sammakko suusta”, is uttered when someone accidentally says something they shouldn’t have. There’s an animal-related English phrase that is similar, but it involves cats...

    An English phrase with a similar meaning: “To let the cat out the bag.”

    Not the yellow from the egg

    The German idiom “nicht das Gelbe vom Ei” literally translates to "not the yellow from the egg," and it is used to express that something is not particularly good. This phrase often implies that while something may be acceptable, it falls short of being excellent or ideal.

    An English phrase with a similar meaning: “It's less than perfect.”

  • Man and a woman stood together smiling

    6 more strange English phrases explained

    By Steffanie Zazulak

    In a previous blog, we shared somestrange English phrases that might have left you with some questions. The English language is full of peculiar phrases that can even confuse fluent speakers. In today's post, we'll take a look at a few more such phrases to help you expand your repertoire.

  • teenage boy studying with headphones on and with a laptop

    Why should I learn English?

    By Steffanie Zazulak

    English is the second most widely spoken language – it is estimated that nearly two billion people worldwide can speak English at a useful level. That means they can hold a conversation with other English-speaking people.

    A report by the attests the importance of the English language to the world, and says thatsecond-language English speakers far outnumber fluent English speakers. It also recognizes how being able to speak English can give individuals a competitive edge over others. If you're asking the question, "Why should I learn English?", read on to find out more...