Practice Resources for Students Reapplying the National Standardized English Test

Dear students,

The English Advisory shares the following official practice resources provided by the Dirección de Gestión y Evaluación de la Calidad to support students who need to reapply the National Standardized Foreign Language Test in English.

The National Standardized English Test is designed to assess students’ communicative competence and to place students at an appropriate level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), ranging from pre-A1 to C1.

The practice materials available through the links below include sample items and tasks similar in format and purpose to those used in the official examination. These resources allow students to become familiar with the structure of the test, the types of items, and the skills evaluated.

The practice is organized into two main sections:

• Listening, which assesses comprehension of spoken English through real-life situations such as conversations, podcasts, news reports, and other authentic audio sources.

  Link: Here⬇️

• Reading, which evaluates understanding of written texts such as invitations, messages on different digital platforms, emails, and internet articles.

  Link: Here⬇️

Students are encouraged to use these materials as part of their preparation process, focusing on comprehension strategies, careful reading of instructions, and effective time management.

To support effective practice, students are advised to consider the following study tips:

Listening

• Read the questions carefully before listening in order to identify the information you need to focus on.

• Listen first for the general idea and then for specific details such as names, numbers, places, and purposes.

• Do not focus on understanding every word; concentrate on the overall meaning and key information.

• Stay attentive throughout the entire audio, even if part of the information is missed at the beginning.

Reading

• Skim the text to understand the main idea before answering the questions.

• Scan the text to locate specific information related to each question.

• Use context clues to understand unfamiliar words rather than translating word by word.

• Ensure that each selected answer is supported by information found directly in the text.

General Strategies

• Manage your time effectively and avoid spending too much time on a single question.

• Read all instructions carefully before starting each section.

• If unsure about an answer, eliminate options that are clearly incorrect.

• Practice regularly under test-like conditions to build confidence and familiarity with the exam format.

These materials are official resources developed by the Dirección de Gestión y Evaluación de la Calidad and are shared for academic practice and familiarization purposes.

In addition, we would like to share a resource to further support students in their preparation for the National Standardized English Test. This material, developed by the English Advisory of the Dirección Regional de San José Norte, includes a practice activity and an explanatory video aimed at reinforcing listening and reading strategies, as well as helping students become more familiar with the test format. Credit for these resources is given to Melissa González Castro, English Advisor of the Dirección Regional de San José Norte, and they are shared as complementary support to the official practice materials.

Resource1: Comprehensive English Resource ⬇️

Resource 2: Recommendations for the Standardized National Foreign Language Test ⬇️

The following links are recommended for students who need to take the reapplication (make-up) of the National Standardized English Test administered by the Ministry of Public Education (MEP). These resources will help you practice listening and reading skills, become familiar with the test format, and improve your confidence by working with activities similar to those included in the official exam.

📗 Reading practices and exercises – Level A2

📚 Readings with progressive comprehension

📌 British Council – A2 Reading (LearnEnglish) — textos tipo correos, avisos, mensajes cotidianos con preguntas post-lectura. Practica lectura A2 con British Council

📌 LearnEnglish Teens – A2 graded reading — historias y textos de nivel A2 para practicar lectura y vocabulario. Lecturas A2 para adolescentes y adultos

📌 EnglishMatic – Reading Tests A1-A2 — pasajes de lectura con preguntas múltiples para practicar comprensión. Ejercicios de lectura A1‑A2 con preguntas

📺 Listening practice videos – Level A2

🎧 Specific A2 listening exercise (YouTube, with questions) Specific A2 listening exercise (YouTube, with questions)
👉 Ejercicio con audio pensado para estudiantes A2 (15–20 min). YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ni8pRvhbMY

🎧 A2 English listening practice – Conversation and comprehension

👉 Otro ejercicio de listening para nivel A2. YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtqbKDuS_ew📺Playlist de listening practice nivel A2
👉 Varias prácticas de audios/lecciones en video. YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhNRdHEdUQexUblCTMd1ATwOd5J4SxtNM