As Italian instructors, we encourage you to invite your students to participate in the AATI Nation Italian High School Examinations. This examination serves many purposes:
The 2018 AATI National Italian Examination comprises 6 levels: Novice Level, Level I, Level II, Level III, Level IV, Level 5. There are specific criteria to consider when selecting the appropriate exam level for our students. The table below describes the criteria:
Novice Level1
(Grades: 7) |
|
Level I
(Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12) |
|
Level II
(Grades: 9, 10, 11 or 12) |
|
Level III
(Grades: 10, 11 or 12) |
|
Level IV
(Grades: 11, 12) |
|
Level V
(Grade: 11, 12) |
|
Considering the wide variety of students' language background and the impact that it might have on the exam outcomes, the NIE presents a series of categories for each of the exam levels. The correct placement of students in the appropriate category is crucial to obtaining reliable and valid results. Teachers and test administrators are encouraged to verify the accuracy of placement and refer it to the exam director who may elect to verify. Whenever there are borderline cases, the teacher and the administrator will decide on the basis of good judgement and consistency or contact the Exam director.
The Novice Level has only one category. In Level I and II we have two categories (A and B), In Level III, IV and V we have 3 categories: (A, B, and C).
CATEGORY A: A student who has studied Italian only in the classroom.
CATEGORY B: A student who:
has or has had consistent exposure to Italian outside of the classroom (including heritage speakers and students who might hear or speak some Italian);
lived for more than a year in Italy;
studied more than 4 months in Italy;
has studied or is studying the third year of another romance language or a romance language is his/her native or principal language.
CATEGORY C: A student who:
has grown up in a home where Italian is regularly used (predominantly orally);
within the last three years attended school for a period of one year or more where Italian was the primary language of instruction.
The format of the exam for the school year 2018 is structured on the following sections:
Language competence which includes:
Reading Skills . Interpreting Written Text.
Listening or/and Viewing Skills . Interpreting Aural Input.
For detailed exam specifications click here. To see the the Development Committee Members and Reviewers, please click here.
Each exam consists of 75 questions. Students have 70 minutes to complete the exam and its preliminary questions. The format will be the same for all levels as follows (please note that some minor changes in the number of questions for each section might be possible):
Test Sections |
Items per Competence / skill |
Format of Items per Skill /Competence |
Language competence |
|
Multiple-choice with 4 options |
Reading: interpreting written text |
|
Multiple-choice with 4 options |
Listening/ Viewing: interpreting aural input |
|
Multiple-choice with 4 options |
The cost per exam is $8.00 per student.
The Certificates will be available online at no cost. Teachers will be able to download the certificates from the AATI webpage (information will be added later).
Disclosure: It is an academic infraction to alter any information about a student's award on the certificate the student receives. Any deliberate offences will result in the school being excluded from future competitions.
All students in all levels (Novice, Level I-V) and categories (A,B, C) will receive a medal or a certificate, according to the table below.
Gold Medal
|
Silver Medal
|
Bronze Medal
|
Achievement Certificate |
Participation Certificate |
90% or higher |
80% - 89% |
70% - 79% |
50% - 69% |
49% or lower |
The value and the criteria for the monetary prizes as well as the prizes assigned by the Società Onoraria Italica will be posted at a later stage.
2-WEEK STUDY COURSES IN ITALY FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
The following language schools will be participating in a scholarship program for the AATI National Italian Exam. They have offered a total 6 scholarships. Each scholarship consists of a 2-week course in one of the above schools. Accommodations and tuition expenses are included. The flight will be at the recipient's expense; however, AATI will we contribute a cash award of $500. Five scholarships will go to the top students in each level; one scholarships will go to teachers of those top students. A draw might be necessary. The recipients will be notified via email.
The language schools participating in this scholarship program are:
NATIONAL ITALIAN EXAM WINNERS: 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007
PAST EXAMINATIONS2017 | All levels | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | level 1-4 | ||||
2015 | level 1 | level 2 | level 3 | level 4 | Teacher's script |
2014 | level 1 | level 2 | level 3 | level 4 | Teacher's script |
2013 | level 1 | level 2 | level 3 | level 4 | Teacher's script |