Q: Can I administer a make-up exam on different date?
A: No. In order to maintain test security, NYCAL Exams may ONLY be administered on the date set by NYSED (June 22, 2026). However, you are able to administer a different Checkpoint A or Checkpoint B exam to a student on a different date.
Q: Where can I find Checkpoint A and B exams that are not NYCAL Exams?
A: Districts can create and administer their own locally developed Checkpoint Exams, contact OBEWL, and/or ask any district that does not participate in the NYCAL Exam consortium to use their exams.
Q: How do we provide testing accommodations for ELLs?
A: NYS accommodations for ELLs include testing in alternative locations, extended time, access to bilingual glossaries (English/Home language), and /or use of interpreters. Translated versions of NYCAL Exams are not available. If an oral interpreter is administering the exam, only sections written in English may translated to the home language.
Q; How do we administer the NYCAL Exams to students with testing accommodations listed on their IEP/504?
A: Schools must adhere to the language on the student's IEP/504 and local decisions as to how to accommodate the student.
Q: Can students use resources on Checkpoint A Presentational Speaking?
A: Students will be allowed to create notes based on the assigned topic. Students are not allowed to bring any notes into the exam or use any outside resources to produce the language.
Checkpoint A Speaking Exam FAQ:
Can students know the topic of the presentational task prior to the time of testing?
No. Students should have no prior knowledge of the tasks. However, students should be aware of the list of NYS Checkpoint A topics ahead of time as the potential tasks that will be completed.
Can students bring notes into the testing environment with them?
No. Students are NOT allowed to bring any prepared materials into the secure testing location. However, students can be provided with scrap paper to brainstorm thoughts on the assigned topic once the testing time has begun. This time should NOT be used to create a script, rather as a time to gather their thoughts. Students can have up to 2 minutes to brainstorm.
Can students use any outside resources (notes, dictionaries, devices, etc) during the task administration?
No. As stated above, students should NOT bring any prepared materials or resources into the testing environment.
What happens if a student’s recording is not saved?
This is the risk your district is assuming when using technology. If a student needs to make a second attempt due to technological difficulties, students have until 5 calendar days prior to the written portion of the exam to complete the task. In addition, the presentational recording could be done in a group setting, and districts may want to consider a trial run to assess the volume level and to determine if a different recording setting would be better.
Are there recommended technology platforms for districts choosing to record the presentational speaking component?
No. we would recommend you speak with your technology personnel and with your curriculum leaders to determine your district’s approved technology platforms.
How long or how many exchanges should each of the conversations be?
Each of the tasks are designed to take no longer than two minutes and the tasks should be rated holistically, instead of based on the number of utterances. The task should be rated based on the rubric and the quality of the overall interpersonal conversation.
What is the difference between an Interview and a Role-Play Interpersonal Task?
An interview is a conversation between the teacher and the student as themselves. A role play allows for the teacher to play a different role and is set in an imaginary scenario. See examples below.
Where can I find samples of interpersonal and presentational tasks to be used as practice?
Click on the links to the samples shared by NYS OBEWL (Dr. Joanne O’Toole) in March 2025.
(*examples were written as writing situations, but can easily be edited to create speaking samples)
Click here to view the OBEWL recording of Administering the Interpersonal and Presentational Assessment Tasks at Checkpoint A and see all contents of the handouts folder.
Is the presentational task the same for all students?
No. There are 15 tasks to choose from. Students will choose a card or number at random and will complete that task.
If a student is absent for the written portion of the exam, can the speaking scores be used in addition to the make-up exam (NOT NYCAL)?
Yes. If a student misses the exam and a make-up exam is required (locally developed) the speaking scores can be used.