Task Details and Preparation Advice

Task 1: Self Introduction

• Duration: ~ 2 minutes
• Description: small talk interaction with questioners (not raters)
• May include a self-introduction that would be appropriate in a classroom setting
• Name, major, hobbies, home country, etc.
• Questioners will engage in small talk with test taker, asking general questions.
• Preparation:
• It is not necessary to prepare for this task.
• Scoring: None
• This part of the exam is NOT scored
• The task is designed to help test taker to become accustomed to the exam staff, room, and format.

Task 2: Short Presentation

• Duration: ~ 5 minutes
• Description: presention of course information
• Presenting common course information
• Answering student questions
• Preparation:
• After check-in, a TOP coordinator will provide the test taker with the prompt
• 5 minutes of preparation time is allowed at that time, immediately before the exam
• The prompt includes information that the test taker must convey to the "students" (questioners) during the exam
• Prompts include:

                  a) a syllabus 
                  b) guidelines for a term paper
                  c) class rules
                  d) quiz and midterm dates, format, and frequency

• The prompt can be used during the exam
• During preparation time:
• Review the information
• Consider how to organize and communicate the information clearly.
• Ask the TOP coordinator clarifying questions
• Scoring: 50% of total score
• A well-executed task will demonstrate control in the four scoring categories described in the scoring section.
• Questioners will ask clarifying questions that are common to UCLA undergraduates and common to classroom interaction.
• If an answer is not in the prompt, it is appropriate to make up an answer
• It is important to be familiar with common classroom terminology

Task 3: Prepared Presentation

• Duration: ~ 10 minutes
• Description: Presentation of a mini-lesson
• On a basic topic in one's field
• Designed for non-experts, undergraduates
• Preparation:
• This task should be prepared before exam day.  No extra preparation time will be given on the day of the exam. 
• Notes for this task are not allowed in the test room
• Topic choice:
• Remember that the audience is made up of non-expert undergraduates.
• Basic topic in one's field
• Must demonstrate English language ability
• Extensive use of non-linguistic communication will render the test unratable. (i.e. dancing, pointing, drawing, etc.)
• Special help for mathematics TAs
  
• Special help for foreign language TAs
• Prepare for time when you will be asked questions
• clarification questions may be asked during the presentation, as in a lecture, rather than at the end of the presentation
• be prepared for interruptions (undergraduate questions)
• Practicing in advance, particularly with questioners would be helpful
• Scoring: 50% of total score
• A well executed task will demonstrate control in the four scoring categories described in the scoring section