Everything you need to know about Versant by app tests

Gemma Considine
A woman looking at a laptop in a library smiling

From sending emails and participating in conference calls to studying a masters degree or communicating on social media, in today’s globalized world, English is used by more and moresecond-language English speakers in their daily lives.

For this reason, many schools, institutions and businesses now require their students or employees to have a minimum level of English. That’s why we need quick and efficient ways to test people’s proficiency and make sure they have the skills needed to communicate effectively.

This is where Versant by app tests come in. Our suite of four exams can be used to test various skills and competencies depending on the organization's needs. What’s more, they can be taken anywhere, at any time and the results are received instantly – making recruitment or enrollment a much smoother process.

This guide will help answer some questions you may have about the tests, and provide some links to useful resources.

What are the Versant tests?

The Versant by app tests are designed to measure an individual’s abilities in all or some of the four skills; speaking, writing, listening, or reading. They vary in length from between 17 to 50 minutes, and the results are available immediately afterwards.

There are four Versant products available, and they differ depending on which skills are considered most relevant to the candidates, or their places of work and study. It is possible to focus specifically on speaking or writing, for example, instead of a candidate’s entire skill set.

One thing which is consistent across all the tests is that they are fully automated, and can be delivered online or offline around the world at any time. The scores are then available immediately after finishing the test – so there will be no more agonizing waits for results!

In addition, other languages are also available in the testing suite; including Arabic, Dutch, French, Spanish and Aviation English.

Who are they for?

Organizations, institutions and corporations can use Versant by app tests to establish language proficiency benchmarks.

For businesses, they are a simple, reliable, and efficient tool for Human Resources (HR) departments to make sure their staff have the level required in the given language.

In an educational context, the tests are an excellent way for schools to place students within a certain program, to measure their progress and check their level at the end of a course to see if they are ready to move on.

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What skills do they test?

Thestructure and content of the testsvary depending on which one you choose. Whichever one you select, all you need to take them is a computer, a reliable internet connection, and a headset with a built-in microphone. What’s more some of our speaking only tests (English, Spanish and French) can also be taken on your smartphone via the mobile app.

The Versant English Placement Test(VEPT)is the most thorough, taking 50 minutes in total. It focuses on speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The nine task types include reading aloud, repeats, sentence building, conversations, typing, sentence completion, dictation, passage reconstruction, along with providing a summary and opinion. This broad range of assessments is ideal for evaluating every aspect of a candidate’s language ability, from their pronunciation to their knowledge of grammar and complex language use.

But if this is too comprehensive for your needs, there are shorter, more focused alternatives:

The Versant English Test (VET)is a 17-minute assessment designed to evaluate speaking skills. This test can ensure that current or future employees meet the standard required to communicate effectively in a second language by assessing a student's sentence mastery, fluency, pronunciation, and vocabulary.

The Versant Writing Test (VWT)is a test of the candidate’s proficiency in writing skills. Taking approximately 35 minutes, the candidates are tested on their grammar, vocabulary, organization, register, and ability to read appropriate texts. Summarizing, taking notes, and responding to emails in a second language are key to many businesses nowadays, such as call centers. This test will allow companies to create a benchmark for their current and future employees related to specific writing skills.

The Versant 4 Skills Essentialrecognizes the growing need for people to be adept in all four language skills, even in entry-level jobs. Throughout this 30-minute web-based test, candidates undertake a variety of tasks including sentence formation, listening comprehension and written dictation.

Due to its short time limit, flexible web-based approach, and focused skill assessment, this suits fast-paced recruitment environments, helping to identify the best applicants as efficiently and accurately as possible.

What are the key features?

Once a candidate completes their test, a unique score report can be accessed immediately. This details a candidate’s performance in each stage, suggestions for improvement, and an overall CEFR or GSE score (or equivalent). This is thanks to our advanced speech and text processing technology. There is no need for a human examiner, which means scoring can be done instantaneously.

Moreover, thanks to this technology's objective nature, results will be given without an examiner's potential bias. This makes scores extremely reliable and consistent across a wide range of candidates.

VET also has concordances to TOEFL iBT and TOEIC. VEPT is also aligned to IELTS.

Finally, the ScoreKeeper administration tool is available with all Versant exams and allows businesses or educational institutions to manage the testing of all their candidates in one place. By using this, assigning tests, uploading rosters and exporting results can all be done remotely, regardless of a candidate's location.

Learn more about Versant by app tests

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

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    Balancing work, life, and learning: How adult learners navigate English language learning

    By Dr. Le Dinh Bao Quoc
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    Dr. Quoc is an author, educational solutions provider and AIED expert with over 20 years of experience in ELT and education in Vietnam. He is the Founder and CEO of Pro.Ed Education Solutions and Chief Officer of EduVerse, a global network supporting lifelong learning for educators. Dr. Quoc is also the author of The Art and Science of ChatGPT in Education and was named a LinkedIn Top Educational Leadership Voice in 2024. His work focuses on integrating AI into education to support personalized and flexible learning for teachers and learners.

    For many adult learners, mastering English isn’t just about gaining a new skill—it’s about unlocking opportunities in work, family and social spheres. But juggling English lessons alongside work, family obligations and social commitments is a challenge that can feel overwhelming.

    This guide explores the unique challenges adult learners face and how educators can support them with empathy, flexibility and effective strategies.

    The challenges of learning English as an adult

    Meet Le, a 35-year-old Vietnamese project manager who dreams of working for an international company. With a demanding full-time job and two young children, finding time for English lessons feels impossible. Missing classes and struggling to complete assignments leads to frustration and self-doubt—an all-too-common experience among adult learners.

    Many adults face similar challenges:

    • Balancing work, family and personal commitments leaves little time and energy for study.
    • Fatigue after a long day makes it difficult to concentrate or retain information.
    • Progress feels slow, which can be demotivating.

    Without practical support, the goal of English proficiency can seem out of reach.

    Strategies for overcoming challenges

    1. Setting SMART Goals

    Educators can guide learners to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals. Breaking down larger objectives into small, measurable milestones gives learners a sense of achievement. For example, app’s Global Scale of English (GSE) provides actionable “Can-do” statements, such as:

    • Reading (GSE 37/CEFR A2+): Can understand simple personal emails.
    • Speaking (GSE 44/CEFR B1): Can give a short talk with visual support.

    These manageable goals create motivation and help learners like Le stay focused without feeling overwhelmed.

    2. Offering flexible learning options

    Flexibility is key for adult learners. Teachers can adopt strategies such as:

    • Modular lessons that can be completed in short sessions.
    • Micro-learning, including 10-minute daily practices using apps or quick grammar exercises.

    For learners like Le, micro-learning can easily be integrated into a work commute or lunch break.

    3. Blending learning with real-world scenarios

    Teaching English through practical, real-life contexts makes lessons more relevant and efficient. Using authentic materials like emails, meeting notes, or presentations mirrors learners’ daily lives and creates immediate applications for their new skills. For instance:

    • Help learners role-play workplace conversations.
    • Develop speaking proficiency for social interactions or workplace scenarios.

    This approach saves time and reinforces the usefulness of learning English, keeping learners motivated.

    4. Encouraging weekly reflection

    Reflection allows learners to monitor their progress, stay motivated and adapt their strategies. Teachers can:

    • Encourage learners to set weekly goals (e.g., learning new business vocabulary or practicing pronunciation for 15 minutes daily).
    • Use reflection journals to track achievements, identify challenges and adjust learning plans.

    This habit reinforces a growth mindset, helping learners make consistent progress amidst their busy schedules.

    Implementing the strategies

    Here’s how educators can apply these strategies effectively:

    1. Assess and set goals

    Work with learners to set realistic, measurable goals based on their personal motivations and schedules.

    2. Create flexible study plans

    Develop personalized study schedules that incorporate modular lessons and micro-learning techniques.

    3. Use authentic materials

    Include sample emails, presentations, or conversations that align with the learner’s work or life situations, making lessons more practical.

    4. Encourage accountability

    Implement tools like reflective journals or digital reminders to help learners stay on track and see their progress.

    5. Leverage personalized AI tools

    Use AI-powered tools to recommend tailored exercises, provide instant feedback and enable targeted practice in learners’ focus areas.

    Why It matters

    English proficiency opens doors to better job opportunities, stronger social connections and enriched personal growth. By providing empathetic and flexible support, teachers empower learners to achieve their goals without compromising their work-life balance.
    For educators seeking further resources, app’s GSE framework offers valuable tools to help adult learners succeed. Teachers can use these aids to track progress and personalize lessons for maximum impact.

    Celebrate education

    To mark the incredible work of educators helping learners balance work, life and study, we encourage you to share your own experiences and tips to others. Together, we can continue to empower lifelong learning and celebrate the role of education in transforming lives.