TOP Exam Preparation
Preparing for the TOP Exam
Once you have registered for the exam, you will receive an email with detailed instructions including building and room location. Please note that the exams are NOT administered at the TOP office.
Taking the TOP
The exam has 3 parts and is designed to be a simulation of common TA duties, specifically, explaining course materials and presenting an academic topic in an interactive manner. The 3 parts of the TOP exam include, 1 – Self Introduction, 2 – Syllabus Review, and 3 – Prepared Presentation. Please review the information below for more details about each task and advice about how to prepare.
| Task 1 Self-introduction |
Task 2 Syllabus Review |
Task 3 Prepared Presentation |
|
| Purpose | Familiarize self with test environment | Measure communicative ability with administrative TA tasks | Measure communicative ability with presentation TA tasks |
| Duration | 1-2 minutes | ~5 minutes | ~10 minutes |
| Scoring | Not scored | 50% of total score· Pronunciation
· Vocabulary and Grammar · Rhetorical Organization · Question Handling |
50% of total score· Pronunciation
· Vocabulary and Grammar · Rhetorical Organization · Question Handling |
| Materials | None | Syllabus excerpt provided during check-in (you may refer to this excerpt during Task 2 of the exam) | Blank whiteboard and marker provided in-room. Absolutely NO other materials are permitted. |
| Tips for Preparing | No preparation needed; expect to interact in casual conversation | Practice explaining excerpts of syllabi (e.g., homework, grading policy, projects, finals, etc.) | – Prepare a presentation on a basic topic in your field, appropriate for non-expert undergraduate students– Choose a topic with lots of English language usage – See here for Further information about choosing a topic for Task 3
– Practice ahead of time with friends, colleagues, or family |
| Other Comments | – Questioners will ask clarifying questions that are common to a classroom environment at UCLA.– You can feel free to elaborate or role play information that is not included in the syllabus excerpt. | – You will be asked questions during the presentation, as in a typical lecture; prepare and practice with this in mind. |
Repeat Test Takers: If you received a non-passing score, you must enroll in an approved course (ESL 310, 311, 312 or 313) before you are allowed to retake the exam. We recommend approaching the course instructor for insights and feedback on your TOP performance.
Materials
Task 2 – Syllabus Review
All examinees will be provided a copy of a syllabus excerpt during the check-in process to use during Task 2. No other materials are allowed during Task 2. The undergraduate students you will be presenting to will also have a copy of the syllabus excerpt.
Task 3 – Prepared Presentation in your Field
Examinees are not allowed to use any materials such as slides, pictures, posters, flashcards, computers, maps, charts, or multimedia of any kind. This strict policy is to ensure a high degree of consistency between test performance across departments and to reduce distractions.
You may choose to create a visual representation or aid during Task 3 using a whiteboard and dry erase marker when taking the exam in person.
As the TOP primarily assesses your speaking and listening skills, visual representations are completely optional and should only be used as a supplement to your prepared presentation. The visual representation should be blank before starting and created during Task 3. If the visual has already been created, you will be asked to stop the exam and reschedule.
Test Duration
The exam takes about 60 minutes from the time you check in to the time you leave the exam room. This includes time for check-in, time to prepare for Task 2 – Syllabus Review, and time to take the actual exam. The actual exam is approximately 20 minutes long. Once you have entered the testing room, you may not leave for any reason.
People In The Room
In addition to the test taker, there are typically 4 people in each exam room.
- 2 questioners act as students in a class, listening to the test taker and asking questions during the exam. It is very important to answer the students fully and completely as how you respond to questions is a part of your exam score.
- 2 raters will be present and will score your exam. They may speak to the test taker to prompt specific tasks, but raters do not generally ask any questions. Test takers should direct their attention to the questioners.