Bradford Academic Skills and Language Test (BASALT)
You can now take the BASALT test online.
The Bradford Academic Skills and Language Test (BASALT) is for students whose first language is not English and who want to start their degree course without attending an English language programme. If this is you, you need to prove your ability in English by taking a test which is recognised by the university. BASALT is one of the tests available to you for this purpose.
When and where can I take the BASALT?
The BASALT can be taken online from home throughout the year, with at least two test days every month.
What does the BASALT include?
The BASALT includes the following components, each of which is worth 25%:
- Part 1 Reading (Understanding main ideas and details)
- Part 2 Listening (Lecture Listening)
- Part 3 Writing (Essay)
- Part 4 Speaking (Discussion)
The reading, listening, and writing tests are taken together through Inspera Integrity Browser. The speaking test is taken separately up to one week later through MS Teams.
Part 1 - Reading
Reading 1: Detailed reading
| Duration | Input | Question types | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 minutes |
1500 words (+/- 10%) from undergraduate level textbooks, quality newspapers or journals on an area of general academic interest. |
Around 30 questions chosen from the following question types:
|
To test your ability to understand the key ideas and supporting details and how they relate to each other in a general academic text. |
Part 2 - Listening
| Duration | Input | Question types | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around 15 minutes |
A 10 minute (+/- 1-2 minutes) lecture on an area of general academic interest. You will take 2-3 minutes to read the questions before hearing the lecture and should answer the questions |
Around 30 questions chosen from the following question types:
|
To test your ability to understand the key ideas and supporting details and how they relate to each other in a general academic lecture. |
Part 3 - Writing
| Duration | Input | Question types | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 minutes |
A single question as a topic of general academic interest with 3 optional prompts. |
Write an essay of around 300 words in response to the question. Question types will be chosen from:
|
|
Part 4 - Speaking
| Duration | Input | Question types |
|---|---|---|
| 14 minutes |
A general discussion and a topic of general academic interest with optional prompts provided for part 2 followed by discussion of the topic. One minute planning time before part 2. |
There are 3 sections:
|
Taking the BASALT online
Please follow these instructions carefully.
Preparing for your test
The reading, listening and writing tests must be taken on a computer or laptop. Phones, tablets and Chromebooks do not work.
You will need to download and install Inspera Integrity Browser onto your computer. This is a secure lockdown browser for online assessments. Please see the minimum system requirements. Make sure to have downloaded and tested Inspera Integrity Browser before your test day.
Your device must have a webcam (internal or external), microphone and speakers. Earphones are not allowed.
You must have an internet connection of at least 0.15Mbps upload speed and 0.20Mbps download speed to start the test. Once you have begun, the test will continue even if you lose your connection.
You will be sent a username, password and PIN code to enter the test.
The BASALT Practice Test
Before taking the test, we highly recommend that you try the BASALT Practice Test. This test does not use Inspera Integrity Browser so there is no ID check or room scan. But you will get a feel for how the system looks and works and the kind of questions you can expect in the BASALT.
Photos and room scan
At the beginning of the test, you will be asked to take a photo of yourself and your passport to complete the ID checks. Ensure you have your passport ready for the start of the test. Ensure you are in a location with good lighting so that the system can compare your photo and your passport.
You will then be asked to conduct a room scan. Your room scan must show the whole room, including any doors (which must be closed), any windows (with curtains open), what's behind any curtains, your desk (which must be completely clear with no pens, papers or phones accessible) and what's under your desk. Ensure you are in a location with good lighting for this.
During the test
During the test you are not allowed to make any notes. You must not leave the screen for any reason. Toilet breaks are not allowed.
You must manage your own time. You should spend 45 minutes on the reading test, 15 minutes on the listening test (including 2-3 minutes to read through the questions before playing the recording) and 40 minutes on the writing test.
Inspera Integrity Browser blocks access to any other software.
You will be able to change the font size, highlight text, flag questions and change the colour scheme within the software if you wish.
If your internet connection is lost, the test and recording will continue. If your connection does not resume by the end of the test, you will be able to download an encrypted file of your test submission, which you can then send to us at basalt@bradford.ac.uk when your connection resumes.
The speaking test
The speaking test is taken on Microsoft Teams. Your device must have a webcam, microphone and speakers. Again, earphones are not allowed.
The speaking test can be taken up to one week after the reading, listening and writing test. You will be sent the speaking test booking link on completion of the reading, listening and writing test.