Richmond Placement Test

Notes for Teachers

This placement test is designed for teachers using course books published by Richmond. It will
help you decide which course level will be appropriate for your students.
The test has 120 grammar and vocabulary questions. The questions are in blocks of 20 and
cover six levels. The table shows the course levels and how they correspond with the Common
European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):

Question numbers Course level CEFR level

1–20 Starter / Beginner A1
21–40 Elementary A2
41–60 Pre-intermediate B1
61–80 Intermediate B1+
81–100 Upper Intermediate B2
101–120 Advanced C1

There are two types of question in the test. There is an example of each question type on the
front of the test so that students understand what to do.
There is an answer key for easy marking.

How to use the test

1 Ask the students to write their name on the front of the test and to read the example
questions.
2 Then ask them to begin the test and stop when the questions become too difficult.
3 We recommend a maximum of 50 minutes for the test. However, some students may finish
before this.
4 Mark the test using the answer key provided and place each student at the appropriate level
of the course.

Other ways to assess level

In addition to the written placement test, we recommend you conduct a speaking test with each
student. This will give you a further indication of their language ability and will enable you to place
each student even more effectively.

1 Richmond Placement Test © 2014 Photocopiable

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Richmond Placement Test
Answer key

Starter / Beginner (A1) Elementary (A2) Pre-intermediate (B1) Intermediate (B1+) Upper Intermediate (B2) Advanced (C1)
1 C are 21 B across 41 C switch 61 had told 81 B anywhere 101 A come up

2 A read 22 A toothache 42 A account 62 would buy 82 B might 102 C cleared away

3 C Where 23 B ticket 43 C employ 63 has been 83 C portrait 103 C could

working

4 C some 24 B arrived 44 B come out 64 said 84 B called off 104 B beyond

Richmond Placement Test © 2014 Photocopiable

5 played 25 C I’ll carry 45 was reading 65 C architect 85 had taken 105 A move on
Richmond Placement Test

6 reading 26 watching 46 have been married 66 B soundtrack 86 had bought 106 C settle down

7 went 27 going 47 looking 67 A shoulder 87 had been snowing 107 A active

8 ate 28 eating 48 has been living 68 C doesn’t he 88 have been travelling 108 C renovation

9 B French 29 have seen 49 have been studying 69 B are 89 A storeys 109 A off

10 C watches 30 B Ana’s 50 C embarrassing 70 C because 90 B as 110 B out

11 B to 31 B cost 51 B them 71 B Whenever 91 C would 111 C in hand

12 B bought 32 A a comic 52 C handing out 72 C hang out 92 C which 112 B draw on

13 met 33 A theatre 53 A go off 73 C where 93 A where 113 C shouldn’t

14 caught 34 B sister 54 B couple 74 B eaten 94 C who 114 could have given

15 finished 35 C river 55 C iron 75 B finished 95 C be going 115 would have caught

16 washed 36 A snow 56 B told 76 A up 96 B will be travelling 116 had taken

17 C going 37 heavier than 57 C May 77 B got on 97 C shouldn’t have 117 if I hadn’t been

18 B at 38 taller than 58 B might 78 C big enough 98 C stand for 118 B closed her mind

19 C sometimes 39 more difficult than 59 B stick 79 C harder 99 C episode 119 B Tell you what

20 C Would 40 more dangerous 60 C conditions 80 C a scientist 100 A can’t have 120 A the big time