FAQ
What is the Focus Audit Tool?
Focus is a modern online platform that support companies in verifying the language skills of candidates, employees, training participants and students. Companies receive objective and reliable feedback on the language proficiency of auditees, which are divided into particular language areas and competences.Learn more
What is a language audit?
Language audit involves assessing language competences in the areas of: knowledge of vocabulary and grammar structures, reading, writing and speaking.
What services do you provide?
We can check language competences, verify potential employees, and undertake both self-levelling audits and phone linguistic screening.
What kind of tests does Focus platform offer?
The platform includes tests from more than 30 languages: short (grammar, vocabulary, reading), with writing and/or speaking, short with writing or speaking, recruitment audits and full audits. All tests might contain all or only chosen sections.
Do you offer only general tests or insdustry-specific tests as well?
We currently offer mainly general tests. However, it is possible to tailor the tests to your needs – e.g. in some sections use questions from general tests and in others from industry tests. It is also possible to create the entire test or individual sections and questions for a specific job.
In what languages are the tests available?
Tests are available from over 30 languages: Arabic, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian.
What language skills can Focus verify?
Thanks to Focus, you can check language skills in speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary and speaking. Listening is verified indirectly during the speaking section. Vocabulary is combined with grammar in tests from languages: Arabic, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Hebrew, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Swedish.
How do you verify language speaking skills?
The ability to speak a selected language is verified in the relevant test section. There are four forms of oral verification: online, phone call, Skype call and WhatsApp call. When choosing online verification, the audited person listens to the questions and records their answers using a tool build into the system. By choosing one of the other three options, the test taker establishes contact through the system with the auditor who will conduct a standardized interview.
Why is listening not listed among the assessed skills?
For tests in the following languages: Bulgarian, Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Turkish and Ukrainian, the questions are displayed in text form.
What information is included in the report?
The report gives the overall results as well as those from each section, together with a detailed assessment of the language skills with the auditor’s comment and recommendations for further study. Click here to see a sample report.
How long before the results are given?
For tests involving only grammar, vocabulary and reading, the reports are ready immediately after the test. For tests including auditor reviewed sections (speaking and writing), the reports are created within 24-48 hours.
How are the tests assessed?
Sections: grammar, vocabulary and reading are checked automatically. Sections: speaking and writing are verified by qualified auditors, based on the standardised evaluation criteria.
Who are the Focus auditors?
Focus auditors are qualified lecturers with specialized language education and many years of experience in their profession.
Why do you use auditors instead of artificial intelligence?
Our auditors have extensive experience as teachers and are specially trained for the Focus platform, where they assess answers in speaking and writing sections. This is vital in terms of minor spelling mistakes, specific accents or an assessment of what is or is not acceptable in a given language, which can create problems when assessed by artificial intelligence.
What is the CEFR scale?
The CEFR scale constitutes the European Framework of Reference for Languages, adopted by the Council of Europe. CEFR includes guidelines in the area of language proficiency and skills, which are divided between six levels. The primary division is given by the letters: A – basic, B – independent and C – proficient. Each of these is additionally divided into: 1 – lower and 2 – higher. The CEFR scale is used in the evaluation of tests taken on the Focus platform.
Is it possible to get demo test for free?
Yes, a demo test can be taken. It includes 1-5 sample questions from every available section. The demo test is available for English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Italian. Report is not generated for such test – it is used to familiarize yourself with your tool and not to assess language proficiency. Complete the form to gain an access.
I verify canddates' language proficiency by myself during job interviews. Why do I need Focus?
Focus not only saves time, but also allows comprehensive and reliable checking of language skillsy in various areas, such as grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing and speaking. The obtained reports allow for objective and easy comparison of many candidates at once. If you prefer to checl candidates’ language knowledge during job interview, we encourage you to use our short tests with immediate results ot the tests that also check writing skills.
Is Focus safe against cheating?
Yes, Focus has a range of protection systems to prevent cheating. Every question has a time limit to enter or choose an answer, thus minimising the risk of using additional support during the test. All the questions used in tests are selected in rotation. Also option to copy text or use build-in translator is blocked. Moreover, the writing section blocks the pasting of text into the answer field. As an online system, the test can also be taken under controlled conditions, such as at the company’s head office.
I want to start using Focus. What to do?
The coordinator assigned to you will create an account for your project an any number of subaccounts you need, as well as assign tests that you can use. Wlong with all the basic information about logging in to the panel, you will also receive a manual in which we have included all the information necessary to use the Focus platform. Follow the instructions and if you encounter any problem please contact the coordinator or write to our team at contact@focusaudits.eu
What do the levels mean, e.g. B2, C1?
These are the levels of foreign language proficiency according to the Council of Europe scale (CEFR).
A1 – beginner; A2 – elementary; B1 – intermediate; B2 – upper intermediate; C1 – advanced.
Why don't you make an assessment at level C2?
Level C2 is actually a limit of language possibilities. However in practice even many native users of a given language never acquire such skills, while Level C1 is often compared to the level of an educated native speaker.
What is a test ticket?
Test ticket is a test assigned to a individual test taker.
How can I add a test ticket?
There are two options for adding a test ticket – either by you or by a coordinator assigned to a your project. Adding a test yourself is the faster choice, and is possible after logging into the client panel. In order for the coordinator to add a ticket, the necessary data must be entered into the worksheet. If many tickets are to be added simultaneously, please contact the coordinator.
Can several of my employees be given access to Focus?
Yes, this is possible by creating sub-accounts, which gives control over the visibility of individual test tickets.
Do I have to send links to tests myself?
No, the test links may be sent automatically from the Focus platform. However, if you want to send them yourself – all you need is to uncheck the option “send an e-mail with a test link” while adding a test ticket.
How much time can I set for test completion?
The time to take the test can be set freely. Our observations show that the most frequently chosen time range for the test is 3 to 5 days.
The time for doing the test expired, but the candidate did not complete the process. Can I extend the validation for test ticket?
Yes, absolutely. You can extend the time till test is active to by editing single test access.
The person taking the test had problems with completing one section. Is it possible to reset it?
Yes, absolutely, but we resolve this type of case individually. Please contact your company/project coordinator, who will provide you with the available solutions.
Do you provide training for clients to use the platform?
Based on our experience, we have created a manual with full instructions on how to use the platform. Manual is sent after signing the contract together with the data needed to log in to the FOCUS platform. However, in the case of any problems, we are always ready to help!
How can I manage the test stages?
Focus allows full management of the test stages – the statuses visible in the client panel are used for this purpose.
Why I can't add new test access?
Check if you have unused accesses in LICENSES tab in client panel. If you still have unused access under the granted license – contact your project coordinator.
The person taking the test informed me of a technical problem. What should I do?
Please send the reported problem to the coordinator or to the e-mail address: contact@focusaudits.eu
How can I check the number of test accesses still available?
Information regarding the access remaining to be used can be found in LICENSES tab in client panel. If you need to use more accesses than are assigned to you – contact your project coordinator.
I can't log in to the platform. What to do?
On the log in page click on “Forgot password?” and write down your e-mail – shortly after that you will receive link to reset your password.
How can I prepare for the test?
We recommended to do the test on a computer using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browser – make sure that you have the latest versions. The test can also be taken on mobile devices, but if the test requires speaking online then a device running Android is required. Check if the device you want to use has enough battery level or is connected to a power supply, and whether your Internet connection is stable. Find a quiet and comfortable place where you have the best conditions to take the test. You can find more information about how to take the test here.
Can I take the test again using the same link?
No. The test can be taken only once – after the test has been completed, it is impossible to take it again.
I lost the link to my test. How can I get a new one?
Send an e-mail to the address: contact@focusaudits.eu – we will send your link again.
The test date has expired. Can I still take it?
No, it is impossible to take the test after the expiry date.
Can I modify my answer while taking the test?
Yes, as long as the designated response time has not expired. If the time to give an answer has passed or you have proceeded to the next question, it is impossible to change your answer.
Is there is a limitation of a time to give an answer?
Yes, the response time is limited. It differs depending on the test part and on the level of instruction complexity. On each question/task page there is a clock indicating the time left to answer the question.
There was a technical problem while taking the test. What should I do?
Please send the information to the address: contact@focusaudits.eu, explaining as accurately as possible what happened along with any relevant information regarding the device, operating system and browser that you used. We will clarify the situation as quickly as possible, and reactivate access to the section where the problem occurred.
Is it possible to skip a test question by mistake?
No. If an answer is not selected, the system displays an additional window requiring approval before moving to the next question.
Can I take the test on a mobile device?
Yes, our tests are compatible with mobile devices – excluding the speaking part, if you wish to record your answers in the system. This option is possible only for devices with Android system. However, we recommend taking the test on a computer because it makes the task much easier.
Do I need to log in to the platform to complete the test?
No, you do not have to log in anywhere – just click on the link that you received in the e-mail.
Does the number of questions I still have to answer is visible during the test?
No – in sections: grammar, vocabulary and reading, the system analyzes your level in real time and selects the quantity and level of questions you have to answer, which makes it impossible to determine in advance how many questions will be displayed.
Why there is a time limit to answer each question instead to complete the full test?
There are several aspects that determine this. Most of the tests analyze the level of the audited person in real time so this is impossible to determine the number of questions in advance. In addition, the time allocated to each question allows you to better focus on a single issue, without worrying about the possible lack of the time at the end of the test and the inability to answer the remaining questions.
I gave the preffered dates for conversation with the auditors but it turned out that I will be busy at the time. What to do?
Write to us as soon as possible to contact@focusaudits.eu – we will help you determine a new, convenient date.
I received confirmation of the date of conversation with the auditor but it turned out that I would not be able to have it then. What to do?
Write to us as soon as possible to contact@focusaudits.eu – we will help you determine a new, convenient date.
Will clicking on the test link starts it right away?
Clicking on the test link for the first time will display the instruction page and depending on the settings, it may also be preceded by welcome page. If you close the test on any of those pages, it will not be started – the next time you open the link, you will return to the instruction page. You start the test only when you click “START”.
Auditor called me but I did not answer the call. What to do?
Auditor always calls minimum 3 times with an interval of several minutes. If you do not answer the call, this fact is reported to the company ordering your test. You will be informed if you the option to order a new contact was chosen or whether you have to solve the speaking section online (recording your answers).
Why auditor did not call me in scheduled time?
Write as soon as possible to contact@focusaudits.eu – we will check if the phone number or Skype login you provided is correct and we will explain the situation.