The Michigan Young Learners English (MYLE) tests, developed by Michigan Language Assessment in association with Cambridge Assessment English, assess the English of young learners typically in the primary grades.

MYLE Gold Test Format
Test Scoring and Results
More Information

Test Takers

Ages 6 to 10
g

Level

High beginner (CEFR A2)

Skills Tested

Listening, reading,
writing, speaking

Test Duration

72 minutes

Format

Paper

Test Dates

On demand

MYLE Gold Test Format

The test is divided into 3 sections:

Listening

Reading and Writing

Speaking

The three MYLE tests cover listening, reading, writing, and speaking. A fundamental goal is for the testing experience to have a positive impact on children and on their subsequent language learning. All of the tests have similar formats, but tasks grow in difficulty as students progress from Bronze to Gold. The tests are in full color on paper and contain interactive opportunities for test takers to show their English capabilities.

Test takers must bring colored pencils or pens and an ordinary pen or pencil.

MYLE Gold

Listening

The MYLE Gold Listening Section reflects language used in real-life situations. It contains five parts. Depending on the test, students identify people in a picture based on descriptions; write words, names, and numbers; answer multiple-choice questions; and follow directions to color objects in a picture. The audio for each question is played twice.

The content covers a variety of listening skills:

  • Global skills that test comprehension of the entire passage, such as asking for the main idea
  • Local skills that test a part of the passage, such as a detail mentioned by the speaker

The listening section is scored by trained examiners.

Part 1

Short conversations about people in a picture are followed by matching tasks.
5 questions

Part 2

Short conversations are followed by several questions with blanks for words and numbers.
5 questions

Part 3

Short conversations are followed by a matching task.
5 questions

Part 4

Short conversations are followed by a question. Test takers select the correct answer from three pictures.
5 questions

Part 5

A conversation includes instructions for test takers to color in parts of pictures and write one or two words.
5 questions

 

Total questions: 25

Time: 25 minutes

Reading and Writing

The MYLE tests combine reading and writing skills in many interrelated activities. The content covers skills similar to those in the listening section: global and local. The Gold test contains seven parts. Depending on the test, students answer multiple-choice, true/false, and yes/no questions; fill in blanks in short or long texts; define vocabulary words; and/or write a short story.

The reading and writing section is scored by trained examiners.

 

Part 1

A matching task between pictures and words requires the test taker to copy the word in a blank.
5 questions

Part 2

One side of a dialogue is given. Test takers choose the correct answers from a provided list to complete the dialogue.
6 questions

Part 3

A text with missing words is completed with a word bank.
5 questions

Part 4

A text with missing words is completed from a choice of three given words for each omission.
10 questions

Part 5

A story is given. Test takers fill in the blanks with single words, multiple words, or phrases.
7 questions

Part 6

A text with missing words is completed without a word bank.
5 questions

Part 7

Three pictures represent a story. The test taker writes a narrative based on the pictures.
6 questions

Total questions: 44

Time: 40 minutes

Speaking

All MYLE Speaking Sections have one task with four stages. Depending on the test, test takers identify objects in a picture, ask and answer questions about a picture, compare two pictures, tell a story about a series of pictures, explain why one picture of a group of four doesn’t belong, and answer factual personal questions.

Test takers participate in a structured, multistage task with one examiner.

4 stages
Time: 7-9 minutes

Test Scoring and Results

Test Scoring, Statement of Results, and Certificate

The test center sends the completed test booklets to a team of trained examiners who check each test twice. Each correct answer adds to the final score for its section; points are not deducted for wrong answers. In most parts of the test, spelling has to be 100 percent correct.

There is no pass or fail on the MYLE. Each test taker receives a certificate and a Statement of Results. The Statement of Results is available online and features detailed, personalized feedback on the test taker’s strengths as well as practical ideas and areas for improvement.

The certificate shows how many medals the test taker earned. The maximum score is five medals for each section of the test, for a total of fifteen medals in all.

Certificates are sent to test centers within six weeks of receipt of the tests at the scoring center.

Interpreting and Using Test Results

A result of one medal means the child can improve significantly in that skill. Five medals in one skill means that the child did very well and answered most questions correctly. With a total score of ten medals or more, a test taker is ready to start preparing for MET Go!.

The MYLE tests estimate the test taker’s true competency by approximating the kinds of tasks that may be encountered in real life. Temporary factors, such as fatigue, anxiety, or illness, may affect exam results.

More Information

Practice with Sample Tests

Get comfortable with the tests.

Explore Preparation Activities

Review a list of available preparation activities.

Take Advantage of the MYLE Posters

See our MYLE posters designed for classroom use.