One test system: listening comprehension and oral proficiency for air traffic controllers and pilots
ELPAC is a digital test of English language proficiency for aeronautical communication. It is delivered in two papers and is offered in separate versions for air traffic controllers and pilots.
Computer-marked, 45 items
Paper 1 assesses listening comprehension in an aviation context. It is computer-marked and delivered through the ELPAC test system. There are separate ATC (four parts) and Pilot (five parts) versions.
- • Recognition tasks based on radiotelephony recordings
- • Multiple-choice questions on short and longer audio files
- • Marked automatically; results contribute to the overall ICAO level
Paper 1 — what to expect on the day
A short walkthrough of the listening test, from check-in and the audio check through to submission and computer marking.
Check-in & ID
You arrive at the test centre, present photo ID and complete a brief fitness-to-test check. A test administrator seats you at a workstation with headphones.
Three tasks, two assessors
Paper 2 is a live speaking test rated by two accredited assessors: an English Language Expert (ELE) and an Operational Expert (OPE), an operational or former air traffic controller or pilot. Each assessor independently applies the ELPAC assessment criteria, which derive from the ICAO rating scale and the holistic descriptors. The ICAO level awarded is the lowest of the six criteria; there is no compensatory marking. Where the two assessors disagree on the outcome, a third assessor decides.
- • Task 1: Standard phraseology and an unusual situation on the radiotelephony frequency
- • Task 2: Picture description with hypothesising and problem-solving
- • Task 3: Conversation about aviation topics in general
Paper 2 — what to expect on the day
A short walkthrough of the speaking paper, the same structure for ATC and pilot test takers, from the room setup to the rating against the ICAO scale.
Introduction & room setup
You sit with two trained assessors. The Operational Expert (OPE) assesses operational plausibility; the English Language Expert (ELE) assesses language. The test is recorded. After an ID and fitness check, the assessor briefs you on the three tasks ahead.
ICAO Levels 3 to 6
ELPAC results are reported on the ICAO language proficiency rating scale across six descriptors. Each descriptor is rated independently; the ICAO level awarded is the lowest of the six criteria, with no compensatory marking.
| Descriptor | L3 — Pre-operational | L4 — Operational | L5 — Extended | L6 — Expert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation are influenced by the first language or regional variation and frequently interfere with ease of understanding. | Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation are influenced by the first language or regional variation but only sometimes interfere with ease of understanding. | Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation, though influenced by the first language or regional variation, rarely interfere with ease of understanding. | Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation, though possibly influenced by the first language or regional variation, almost never interfere with ease of understanding. |
| Structure | Basic grammatical structures and sentence patterns associated with predictable situations are not always well controlled. Errors frequently interfere with meaning. | Basic grammatical structures and sentence patterns are used creatively and are usually well controlled. Errors may occur, particularly in unusual or unexpected circumstances, but rarely interfere with meaning. | Basic grammatical structures and sentence patterns are consistently well controlled. Complex structures are attempted but with errors which sometimes interfere with meaning. | Both basic and complex grammatical structures and sentence patterns are consistently well controlled. |
| Vocabulary | Vocabulary range and accuracy are often sufficient to communicate on common, concrete, or work-related topics but range is limited and the word choice often inappropriate. Is often unable to paraphrase successfully when lacking vocabulary. | Vocabulary range and accuracy are usually sufficient to communicate effectively on common, concrete, and work-related topics. Can often paraphrase successfully when lacking vocabulary in unusual or unexpected circumstances. | Vocabulary range and accuracy are sufficient to communicate effectively on common, concrete, and work-related topics. Paraphrases consistently and successfully. Vocabulary is sometimes idiomatic. | Vocabulary range and accuracy are sufficient to communicate effectively on a wide variety of familiar and unfamiliar topics. Vocabulary is idiomatic, nuanced, and sensitive to register. |
| Fluency | Produces stretches of language, but phrasing and pausing are often inappropriate. Hesitations or slowness in language processing may prevent effective communication. Fillers are sometimes distracting. | Produces stretches of language at an appropriate tempo. There may be occasional loss of fluency on transition from rehearsed or formulaic speech to spontaneous interaction, but this does not prevent effective communication. Can make limited use of discourse markers or connectors. Fillers are not distracting. | Able to speak at length with relative ease on familiar topics, but may not vary speech flow as a stylistic device. Can make use of appropriate discourse markers or connectors. | Able to speak at length with a natural, effortless flow. Varies speech flow for stylistic effect, e.g. to emphasize a point. Uses appropriate discourse markers and connectors spontaneously. |
| Comprehension | Comprehension is often accurate on common, concrete, and work-related topics when the accent or variety used is sufficiently intelligible for an international community of users. May fail to understand a linguistic or situational turn of events. | Comprehension is mostly accurate on common, concrete, and work-related topics when the accent or variety used is sufficiently intelligible for an international community of users. When the speaker is confronted with a linguistic or situational complication or an unexpected turn of events, comprehension may be slower or require clarification strategies. | Comprehension is accurate on common, concrete, and work-related topics and mostly accurate when the speaker is confronted with a linguistic or situational complication or an unexpected turn of events. Is able to comprehend a range of speech varieties (dialect and/or accent) or registers. | Comprehension is consistently accurate in nearly all contexts and includes comprehension of linguistic and cultural subtleties. |
| Interactions | Responses are sometimes immediate, appropriate, and informative. Can initiate and maintain exchanges with reasonable ease on familiar topics and in predictable situations. Generally inadequate when dealing with an unexpected turn of events. | Responses are usually immediate, appropriate, and informative. Initiates and maintains exchanges even when dealing with an unexpected turn of events. Deals adequately with apparent misunderstandings by checking, confirming, or clarifying. | Responses are immediate, appropriate, and informative. Manages the speaker/listener relationship effectively. | Interacts with ease in nearly all situations. Is sensitive to verbal and non-verbal cues, and responds to them appropriately. |
Descriptors from the ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale (Annex 1, ICAO Doc 9835). Pronunciation assumes a dialect and/or accent intelligible to the aeronautical community. Structure assumes relevant grammatical structures and sentence patterns are determined by language functions appropriate to the task.
ICAO AELTS recognition
ELPAC ATC and ELPAC Pilot are recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) under the Aviation English Language Test Service (AELTS). Current recognition is valid through the end of 2026.
Validity of ELPAC scores
ELPAC is designed so that a score can warrant a licensing decision. The full validity argument sets out the six linked inferences, from domain description through to utilisation, and the evidence behind each one.