Multilingual Learning

Overview of WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT)

The WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT) is an English language proficiency "screener" test given to incoming students in grades 1-12 who may be identified as English learners. This test assesses the four language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. By law, all students who have a Home Language Questionnaire (HLQ) other than English must be given an English Language proficiency screener. Results from this test help determine eligibility for EL services. The W-APT is an indicator of a student's language proficiency level (1 through 6) on the WIDA continuum and helps determine appropriate levels and amounts of instructional services. The W-APT is one component of WIDA's comprehensive assessment system.

Visit the WIDA Website for more infomration about the WIDA W-APT  

Kindergarten WAPT

The Kindergarten W-APT is administered to K, and first semester 1st grade students*. It is organized as a single, individually-administered test with a combined Speaking/Listening component. The Reading and Writing tests make up a separate test which is optional, and only for students with some literacy skills.The Kindergarten W-APT is not able to assign scores across the full range of WIDA ELP levels 1-6. Instead, scores for Speaking and Listening are marked as showing low, mid, high, or exceptional proficiency. 

* First grade students are also given the K-WAPT in the first semester.

For more infomration about the Kindergarten W-APT visit the WIDA Website.