Frequently asked questions

Vericant’s SEE is a holistic reflection of how language is used for the social purposes of real-life communication, rather than just the speaker’s technical mastery of grammar and vocabulary. SEE reflects a speaker’s ability to communicate accurately and appropriately in a conversational interview setting.

For 2023 application season, only the K-12 Vericant Interview include the SEE score as part of the standard service.

Undergraduate and graduate institutions may request an SEE score for a specific interview via the School Portal.

Pencil and paper English proficiency exams measure reading, writing and listening abilities, but neglect the fourth and possibly the most important ability in a western classroom: speaking. To fill this gap, Vericant’s verified video interviews were developed to help admission officers better understand their applicant’s spoken English ability and non-cognitive skills. The only problem was evaluations were subjective and applicants received little feedback on their abilities.

With Vericant SEE, admission officers now have a standardized measurement of applicant’s spoken English abilities and applicants receive feedback on their spoken English ability.

The Spoken English Evaluation (SEE) assesses candidates’ oral English skills in Vericant interviews, assigning scores from 0 to 6 (to one decimal place, e.g., 4.3, 2.2). It evaluates language proficiency and real-world communication capabilities. After completing the Vericant interview process, submitting the SEE score helps schools assess an applicant’s English oral communication skills. These materials allow admissions officers to quickly evaluate oral proficiency, helping to identify candidates who meet their admission criteria. For applicants, the SEE score acts as a clear indicator of their performance, highlighting their oral communication skills to various schools and programs.

• Range (the ability to comprehend topics and use appropriate vocabulary to express nuanced meanings)
• Accuracy (the ability to form sentences using standard grammatical rules and vocabulary)
• Fluency (the ability to express oneself fluently, including rhythm, pronunciation, and spoken fluency)
• Interaction (the level of participation and awareness while  conversing in English)
• Coherence (ensuring the relevance, depth, and clarity of information conveyed in the conversation)

• 6: Exhibits an ability to understand and articulate ideas at the level of a native speaker, consistently demonstrating a strong command over all aspects of speech.
• 5: Demonstrates the ability to express both complex and simple ideas with clarity and fluency, offering detailed explanations and viewpoints even in the face of minor limitations.
• 4: Engages in discussions on a broad range of topics with a solid degree of control, resulting in conversations that are pleasant to follow despite some noticeable but minor errors.

• 3: Capable of discussing relatively familiar topics using straightforward, continuous language, yet facing noticeable challenges in vocabulary usage, grammar control, and the articulation of ideas.

• 2: Limited to basic interactions using familiar day-to-day vocabulary and sentence structures, necessitating considerable assistance and confined to responding to direct questions.
• 1: Shows minimal, if any, proficiency in verbal communication, struggling to convey basic messages.

SEE Scores: In the SEE assessment report, each applicant’s SEE score is the average of the scores from the five sections outlined in the “SEE Assessment Criteria.” SEE Assessment Reports: All applicants who participate in a Vericant interview receive a Vericant-issued SEE assessment report after the interview results have been processed. The report includes the applicant’s SEE score and explanations for different scoring levels (i.e., Beginner, Intermediate, and Proficient levels). This score reflects the applicant’s composite score in five aspects of language expression ability. Applicants can see a detailed explanation of the level corresponding to their score, providing them with a clear judgment of their language proficiency level. The basis for SEE evaluation is to see what applicants “can do.” Vericant scores correspond to three levels: Beginner level (1-2 points), Intermediate level (3 points), and Proficient level (4-6 points). For example, if an applicant’s SEE score is 4.8, it means that he or she possesses all the abilities described at the proficient level.

The SEE scores are independently determined by at least two raters. These raters are native English speakers with a bachelor’s degree and teaching experience, all having undergone rigorous training. The final score for each applicant is calculated as the average of two separate scores derived from evaluating the applicant’s English proficiency as demonstrated in their Vericant interview video.

The SEE is developed from the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR), a globally recognized framework of references that serves as the basis of most language tests, including TOEFL and IELTS exams. Unlike TOEFL and IELTS, the SEE was not developed with the specific purposes of assessing the proficiency of academic English.

The SEE is an evaluation of spoken English communication expressed during Vericant’s behavioral interview setting.

1. Applicants can request a score reassessment within one month from the date the interview results were sent.
2. The fee for applying for a rescoring is USD 160. Once Vericant confirms receipt of the payment proof sent by the student via email, the rescoring process will begin.
3. Vericant is required to complete the rescoring within 15 working days from the day the applicant’s request is made and after Vericant confirms receipt of the payment proof sent by the student.
4. If the rescoring results in a score change greater than 0.4 points (excluding 0.4) either higher or lower than the original score, Vericant will adjust the applicant’s original score to the newly assessed score and will formally notify both the applicant and the schools. In this case, the entire rescoring fee will be refunded.
5. If the score change is less than or equal to 0.4 points, the original score will remain unchanged, and the rescoring fee will not be refunded.
6. The score obtained after the rescoring and adjustment becomes the final score, regardless of whether it has increased or decreased from the original score. Applicants do not have the right to request another rescoring.