This section lists the rules and regulations and the process for the grade Placement Test at ITA.

Quick Summary

• To place a student in a grade, they must meet the age and Tamil skills requirements.
  • Returning students must also meet the minimum test score from the previous year.
• Students in a higher regular school grade may be considered for age relaxation in our program for that specific grade.
• Some discontinued students might qualify to take a placement test, assessed as if they were new students.
• Parents of eligible students must submit an online request for the placement test.
• All ITA schools & affiliates are required to follow the procedures outlined in this document.

1. Age & Skill Requirements (for all students):

• All students who are required to take (or opted to take) the Placement Test must complete and submit the Placement Test Request form (Refer to the process below in Section 5). Walk-ins are not allowed.

• For any NEW or RETURNING student to be evaluated for a grade level, the student should meet the age requirements and mastered the appropriate grade-level skillsets, as listed in the below table.

  • Note: The age requirement is based on the cutoff date of each state or district/region the school is located.
  • For example, the cutoff date is September 1st for the schools in California, USA.

• Students who would like to be placed in Grade 1 must meet the skill expectations of the Kindergarten skill set only, as specified in the Skill Set document.

• Students who would like to be placed in Grade 2 and up must meet the skill level expectations of the previous two years, specified in the Skill Set. This helps ITA to determine the appropriate grade level for the student without having to be assessed multiple times.

  • For example, if a student would like to be placed in Grade 5, he/she will be evaluated on both Grade 3 and Grade 4 skill sets.
  • Refer to the above table for details.

• ITA does not recommend skipping more than one grade-level at higher grade-levels, as the curriculum and language skills acquired need more immersion. However, any age-eligible student can skip more than one grade-level. However, Consult with Principals and/or Placement Test officers.

  • For example, if a 10-year old student would like to be placed in Grade 5, he/she will be evaluated on both Grade 3 and Grade 4 skill sets.
  • Returning students must additionally meet the 90% marks eligibility requirement (>=62.7/70) in the previous year’s test score.

• Exception: If a new or returning student is currently enrolled one grade higher in regular school than the ITA grade, they can take the appropriate grade-level Placement Test with proof of enrollment submitted to the Principal.

  • Only the age rule is relaxed
  • Returning students must also meet the marks requirement (>=62.7/70).
Grade Level Placement Test
Age (by cut-off date)
Grade level skill sets assessed in the Placement Test (for returning students only)
Preschool 1
3 Years
Placement Test is NOT required
Preschool 2
4 Years
Placement Test is NOT required
Kindergarten
5 Years
Placement Test is NOT required
Accelerated Grade 1
7 years & above
Placement Test is NOT required
Going to Grade 1
6 Years
Kindergarten only
Going to Grade 2
7 Years
Kindergarten and Grade 1
Going to Grade 3
8 Years
Grade 1 and Grade 2
Going to Grade 4
9 Years
Grade 2 and Grade 3
Going to Grade 5
10 Years
Grade 3 and Grade 4
Going to Grade 6
11 Years
Grade 4 and Grade 5
Going to Grade 7
12 Years
Grade 5 and Grade 6
Going to Grade 8
13 Years
Grade 6 and Grade 7

2. New Student Placement Test:

• Any newly registered student aged 6 years and above will be assessed for their Tamil skills, based on age and skill set information mentioned above, after they complete the registration process at ITA or any of its affiliates.

• Report cards/marks that are provided by new students from non-ITA schools will not be used to determine grade eligibility or for grade placement.

  • They may only be used as a reference or a guidance by the Placement Test Officer or Principals to assess and provide the appropriate Placement Test.

• All new students must complete and submit the Placement Test Request form (Refer to the process below in Section 5). Walk-ins are not allowed.

• If a beginner student does not want to take the placement test, the school Principal or Registration officer can help place the student in an age appropriate basic grade level (Kindergarten or Accelerated Grade1).

• Based on the submitted form information,

  • 5-year old beginner learners will be assigned to Kindergarten.

  • Beginner learners aged 7 years and above will be assigned to Accelerated Grade 1.

  • Placement Test is not required for beginner learners

• All other new students are required to take the Placement Test.

• As mentioned in general rules (Section1), students are expected to have mastered the appropriate skill set expectations of the previous two years, as specified in the Skill Set to qualify for a grade level.

• Based on their performance, the students will be placed in the appropriate grade level.

• If a student does not qualify in the first test, a second test at a lower grade level will be given to the new student.(Only two tests per student per year)

  • For example, if a student does not pass his/her first test on Going-to-Grade 5, he/she could be tested on Going-to-Grade 3 or 4 the following week.

• Conversely, if the new student clears the selected/given grade-level test with excellent scores, he/she will be given another opportunity to take a next higher grade-level test, if he/she meets the age eligibility.

3. Returning Student Placement Test:

• All returning students must complete and submit the Placement Test Request form (Refer to the process below in Section 5).

  • Walk-ins are not allowed.

• Returning students, who completed Kindergarten and Grade1 are eligible to take the placement test to skip a grade if

  • they meet the minimum age requirements for the grade level AND
  • their previous year’s test score in the final report card is “O”grade.
    

• All other returning students, (who completed either Accelerated Grade 1 or Grade 2 and above), are eligible to take the placement test to skip a grade if

  • they meet the minimum age requirements for the grade level AND
  • Their previous year’s test score in the final report card (combined Monthly Test and Final Test score only) is 62.7 or above out of 70 marks, which is equivalent to 90% or above (A grade).
  • The below picture illustrates how the final test score and eligibility to take the placement test is calculated. This is for information only, as the report card will not show this view.
    

• As mentioned in general rules (Section1), students are expected to have mastered the appropriate skill set expectations of the previous two years, as specified in the Skill Set to qualify for a grade level.

• Only one placement test per student per year for returning students.

4. Eligibility for Discontinued Students:

• Discontinued students listed below will be considered as New students for Placement Test eligibility and will be tested based on age only:

  • Registered but never attended any classes (0 classes)
  • Attended only up to 4 classes
  • Took a break for more than one school year
• All other discontinued students will be considered as returning students and hence the same rules for returning students will apply.

5. Submitting the Placement Test Request form:

• To assess and place your child in the right grade, the Placement Test Request form must be completed as accurately as possible and submitted by following the process outlined below:

  • Login at ITA website
  • Go to “Parent Access” → Child Information
  • If the “Placement Test Request” link is enabled, submit the Placement Test request
  • Complete the “Placement Test- New Student” form details and submit.

• If the “Placement Test Request” link is disabled (or cannot click on it), the student is NOT eligible to take the Placement Test

• New and returning students have separate types of forms.

• Parents can view the submitted information on the same page itself.

• Sample new student Placement Test Form below:

  
  

• Returning Student Form: :“Placement Test- Returning Student”

  
  

6. Procedure for Students in a Higher Grade Level in Regular School
Parent / Principal Actions

• Check eligibility: Before submitting a request, the parent or principal should verify that the student meets the following requirements:

  • A score of 62.7/70 or higher from the 8 tests or
  • An "O" grade for students in Kindergarten (KG) and Grade 1 (G1) in the final report card.

• Submit a helpdesk ticket: Once eligibility is confirmed, the parent or principal must create a helpdesk ticket and include proof of the student's current grade in regular school.

ITA Actions

• Review and approve: The ITA will review the submitted proof of grade and the student's last year's test score. If the student meets the requirements, they will be added to the exemption list.

Parent / Principal Actions

• Parents Request the placement test: The parent must submit the placement test request form. Principals will not administer the test without this request.
• Principals Administer and upload the test result: The principal will give the student the placement test, upload the test results, and update the helpdesk ticket to notify the ITA.

ITA Actions

• Review and place: The ITA will review the test results and move the student to the appropriate grade.

7. Notification of Results & Grade Placement:

• Once the Placement Test results are entered in the system, parents will get notified automatically via email regarding the status of their test results (Pass/Fail), with the assigned grade information. Parents may also be notified by the school Principals of the assigned grade.

• Parents can also check the status on the website under Parent Access→ Child Resources.

• New students might be tested more than once occasionally. If so, parents will get an email on the second test.

  • Contact Principals or Placement Test Officers for any questions on the second test

FAQ on Placement Test:

1. What is a Placement Test?

1. A placement test is designed to assess the student’s skill level as specified in the Skill Set document and helps ITA to determine the appropriate grade level for the student.

2. The test has two sections: Written and Oral. The students are expected to demonstrate their skill in BOTH sections.

3. The student will be allowed to answer each question adequately. If the student finds a question to be very difficult, they should skip to the next question.

4. If the test still seems too difficult, it only confirms that the student's academic skill level has been reached and the testing may stop.

5. The placement test should take no longer than an hour.

6. The placement Test process at ITA is age-appropriate as mentioned in the rules section above.

7. To take a placement test for a grade level, the student is expected to have mastered the language skill of the previous two grade levels and also meet the age criteria.

8. For example, to take a placement test for grade 3, the student must be 8 years old by the cutoff date and should have mastered the skills specified for Grade 1 and Grade 2.

2. What does ITA expect from the parents to help prepare their students for the Placement Test?

1. Ensure that the student meets the age requirement for the grade. Please refer to the Grade Eligibility section above.

2. Read the Skill Set and prepare the students based on the core language skills, including reading, writing, grammar, and conversation skills as applicable to the grade levels.

3. ITA textbooks and exercise books may optionally be used as a base to prepare for the placement test; however, the placement test will solely be based on the skillset & core language skills as mentioned above.

4. The student should take adequate time to learn the skill sets and prepare for the test, rather than cramming everything in the last few days before the test. Language skills are better acquired and sustained with practice and immersion.

5. Do not force the student to take a placement test if he/she is not ready. ITA’s goal is to ensure the students enjoy learning Tamil, apply it in real life situations, and sustain a life-long interest. When the student is forced to take a placement test and does not pass the placement test, the experience could negatively impact their Tamil learning. Please consider this from the student’s perspective.

6. Get the student ready for/on the testing day:

   1. Look out for emails from the Principals regarding the placement test date, time, and location.
   2. Ensure the student gets a good night's sleep the night before the test and gets a good breakfast on test day.
   3. Have the students bring a water bottle, a couple of pencils, and an eraser.
   4. Bring the student to the testing location/room 10-15 minutes before the placement test starts
   5. Follow the instructions of the Placement Test Officer.

7. Parents are not allowed inside the room where the test is given.

8. On testing day, avoid conversations with the Placement Test Officer before or during the test.

9. Test paper or the student's completed answer paper will not be provided to the student or parents.

10. Feedback about the student's performance shall be given upon request.

3. What is expected of the students?

1. Have a good night's sleep the night before the test

2. Have a good breakfast and bring a water bottle as needed

3. Bring a couple of sharpened pencils and an eraser.

4. Listen to the instructions provided by the Placement Test Officer.

5. Relax and write the test as directed within the given time.

6. Ask the Placement Test Officer if you do not understand a question.

4. What will happen if they do not pass the Placement Test?

1. Returning students will be placed in the grade they got assigned to prior to taking the test.

2. New Students could be placed in a grade level lower than they had anticipated to go to. Multiple placement tests are a possibility in some rare cases. This only helps us determine the appropriate grade level as mentioned earlier.

5. Will the student be evaluated for a lower-level?

1. No, only one test for returning students

2. Yes, occasionally, if the placement test results are not conclusive to determine the appropriate grade level for a newly registered student. This does not apply to the returning students.

6. Is there a published list of words that we can use to prepare for the Placement Test?

1. No, there is no published word list provided. Please refer to the Skill Set document to get an idea on what to prepare for the Placement Test.

7. What is ITA looking for in a Placement Test?

1. The student's ability to demonstrate their skill in BOTH written and spoken Tamil as specified in the Skill Set.

8. How will the Placement Test results be notified?

1. Once the Placement Test results are entered in the system, parents will get notified automatically via email regarding the status of their test results (Pass/Fail), with the assigned grade information.

2. Please reach out to your Principals if there are any questions.

9. Can we take a look at the answer papers to see how my child has performed?

1. No, per school policy, ITA will not show or provide the corrected answer papers to the students or parents.

10. Can we see/get the test score?

1. No, per school policy, ITA will not show or provide the test score to the students or parents.

2. Parents should not ask for this information to the Principal or the Placement Officer

11. My child is attending one grade higher in regular school. Can my child take the Placement Test to skip a level?

1. Yes, if the student had scored >=62.7/70 in the previous year’s test score, he/she will be eligible to take the test AND

2. if the official proof of grade attendance should be provided to the Principals.

   1. screenshot from regular school portal that shows the grade with child’s name or a letter from the school mentioning the same will work

3. This applies for new and returning students

12. My child had been discontinued from learning at ITA for more than one year. Does my child need to take a placement test?

1. Please refer to the section on eligibility for discontinued students

13. How do I submit the Placement Test Request form? Is my child eligible to submit the Placement Test Request form? Where do I find it?

1. Please refer to Section 5. Submitting the Placement Test form in the rules page.