THE aLTE Q-MARK AND AUDITING SYSTEM
Find out which tests have the ALTE Q-Mark
The ALTE Framework shows whether an exam of our member organisations has the Q-Mark, following a successful audit, taking into account the purpose of the audited exam. It also allows comparison using the CEFR levels of the different tests in different languages. If you are looking for a test with an ALTE Q-Mark, please check the framework. | The ALTE Q-mark is a quality indicator which member organisations can use to show that their exams have passed a rigorous ALTE audit and meet all the core requirements of ALTE's 18 quality standards. The Q-mark demonstrates that ALTE member organisations aspire to consistent standards of quality and excellence in their exams. The Q-mark indicates that the quality profile of an exam or suite of exams has been thoroughly audited by an ALTE auditor and the outcome of this audit was 'resolved'. The outcome remains valid for a period of five years or until there is a significant change in their validity argument for successfully audited exam(s). The purpose of the exam was taken into account in the auditing process. The Q-mark is only awarded to the audited exam(s), not to the organisation as a whole. The Q-mark allows test users to be confident that an exam is backed by appropriate processes, reliable procedures and criteria, and consistent standards. Only the exams of ALTE members and applicant ALTE Associate Members, meeting certain criteria, can undertake an ALTE audit process. You can also download a guide to the ALTE Q-mark for testing organisations here. |
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Procedures for Auditing (PfA)The PfA (latest version - November 2024) was produced by the QMS Working Group and contains all the detailed procedures for auditors and for organisations being audited. ALTE QMS Working GroupThe ALTE QMS WG reviews and edits the audit procedures. Members of the QMS WG meet usually three times per year, and work in close collaboration with the Standing Committee to discuss and improve current procedures. Learn more about the Standing Committee and the work that the QMS WG is currently doing. | ALTE Minimum Standards
ALTE has established a set of 18 common standards for its members’ exams, which cover all stages of the language testing process, and are used in the Q-Mark audit process. These involve:
As a result, exams' users - whether individuals, employers, educational institutions or government bodies - can be confident that the language tests devised and delivered by ALTE members meet strict professional standards and accurately reflect test takers' abilities. Read the Minimum Standards (MS) in the following languages: Български Català Cymraeg Čeština Deutsch Dansk English Español Eesti Euskara Français Gaeilge Galego Magyar Italiano Lëtzebuergesch Lietuvių Nederlands Norsk (bokmål og nynorsk) Polski Português Română Русский Slovenščina Suomi Svenska |
Introduction of Minimum Standard 18
Minimum Standard 18 was introduced in the ALTE Audit System from 1st July 2024. All Q-Mark audits and re-audits from this date will include this new minimum standard: You take action when test scores are interpreted and used for a purpose that violates the best interest of test-takers (c.f. the ILTA Code of Ethics and the ALTE Code of Practice).
Read the report on the creation and validation of this new Minimum Standard.
AUDITS - Upcoming Training and Events
The next events related to auditing will be online, via the Microsoft Teams platform, in October 2025. Please see our Events page for more details and to register (please log in into your personal ALTE account to see the event). We run an Orientation session for organisations thinking about having an audit. This is a prerequisite for becoming an ALTE Full Member. Orientation sessions are also suitable for members of staff in existing Full Members who will engage in the ALTE auditing process but have not personally had relevant training before. We also run training for existing auditors to ensure ongoing professional standardisation.