Advanced Statistics, Part I (in-person)        

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is designed for professionals working in language testing, assessment, and applied linguistics who are looking for an accessible introduction to the role of statistics in language assessment, and for those who have completed the Introduction to statistics online course led by Jane Lloyd and want to gain more knowledge.

The course is particularly suited for participants who have little or no prior background in psychometrics since it adopts a gradual and conceptually oriented approach, in which key ideas are introduced in a clear and systematic manner. Rather than assuming prior technical knowledge, it emphasizes interpretation and practical understanding, enabling participants to engage meaningfully with fundamental concepts.

Through guided examples and applied tasks, participants will develop the ability to interpret statistical information commonly encountered in language testing contexts. The course thus aims to bridge the gap between theoretical principles and their practical application, fostering a more informed and critical use of assessment tools.

How will you benefit from coming to this course?

You will learn about the basic principles of statistical analysis applied to language testing. You will:

• Learn the basic assumptions of Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory
• Understand how to interpret the most frequently used statistics 
• Understand how these analyses can match ALTE Q-Mark
• Be introduced to basic statistical software packages

How will this course enhance your work?

On the one hand, this course will help you understand the basic psychometric properties of your test. This will give you insight into how items, raters and candidates work. By gaining such insight into your tests you will be able to:

• Take part in discussions about the reliability of your tests
• Create a basic quality check of the reliability of your tests
• Improve the overall quality of your tests
• Better support the validity argument of your tests

How will this course enhance your professional development?

The training provides the opportunity of developing your analytical and technical skills. This course will help you:

• Develop a solid conceptual understanding of key psychometric principles
• Interpret and critically evaluate test data for informed decisions in test development and research
• Strengthen your research profile by gaining foundational competencies in quantitative methods relevant to applied linguistics
• Increase your confidence in engaging with data-driven practices and collaborating in assessment and evaluation projects

How will you and your organisation benefit from this course?

Every participant of the course will be able to:

• Implement more data-driven, fair, and transparent assessment methods.
• Support evidence-based decision-making around testing and scoring.
• Align assessment practices with international standards and best practices such as Q-Mark

This directly enhances your institution’s assessment quality and its capacity to support validity arguments.

Is any prior knowledge necessary to attend this course?

No prior knowledge of statistics or mathematics is required. However, ALTE strongly suggests you complete the Introduction to Statistics online course led by Jane Lloyd. 

What you need to know to join the course

You must have:

• A minimum C1 level in English to follow the course
• Knowledge of test design and validation procedures

What will you learn:

Duration: 4 sessions of 2/3 hours each (2 days training)

Delivery: In-person only, as a pre-conference course.

Contents:

• Session 1 — Introduction and Classical Test Theory
• Session 2 — Item Response Theory
• Session 3 — Methods I
• Session 4 — Methods II

Please note this course is only delivered as an in-person course, prior to ALTE conferences. If you wish this course to be delivered at your organisation only, please contact: servicesunit@alte.org

When is the next course?

The next Advanced Statistics, Part 1 (face-to-face) course will take place in Lisbon on 9 - 10 November 2026.

Please note that a minimum of 8 people must register for the course for it to take place.

How can I register?

Register for the next course here.

Expression of Interest

If you would like to express your interest in this course, or any other ALTE course, please click here.

Can several people from the same organisation join this course?

For group bookings, ALTE advises to book a maximum of three places per organisation.

How can I pay?

Full payment is required on registration. We strongly recommend that payment is made online using a Visa, MasterCard or American Express. However, if it is not possible to pay with a credit/debit card when registering, please contact the ALTE Services Unit (servicesunit@alte.org) to request an invoice with bank transfer payment instructions.

Course Terms and Conditions

1. Attendance

• Participants must attend at least 80% of live sessions to receive a Certificate of Completion.
• Attendance will be recorded for each session.
• Those who do not meet the attendance requirement will not be eligible for the certificate.
• Missed sessions may be made up in a later edition of the course, subject to availability and the organiser’s approval.

• Each course registration is valid for one individual participant only.

• Registrations may not be shared, transferred, or used by multiple participants, unless agreed with ALTE.

• Group viewing (for example, several people attending from the same organisation in a meeting room or via a shared connection) is not permitted unless explicitly agreed in writing with ALTE.

2. Recordings and Course Materials

• Recording, copying or sharing any part of the live sessions is not permitted.
• All course materials, including slides, recordings and handouts, are the property of the course organiser and are provided for personal educational use only.
• Materials may not be shared, reproduced or distributed without permission.

3. Technology and Course Changes

• Participants are responsible for ensuring they have a reliable internet connection and appropriate technology to join the sessions.
• The course organiser may make reasonable changes to the schedule, content or tutors if necessary, and will communicate any updates in advance.

4. Agreement

By enrolling on and participating in this course, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Terms and Conditions.