1.3 Test Administration, Security, TCO Roles, and ALCPT Screening

Test Administration and Security

The integrity of the English Comprehension Level (ECL) test rests entirely on the stringent security measures and administrative protocols enforced at testing sites worldwide. Because the ECL is used to make high-stakes decisions regarding international military training, any compromise of the test materials or administration procedures threatens the validity of the scores and, by extension, the safety and effectiveness of the training programs. If candidates who do not possess the requisite language skills manage to pass the test through fraudulent means, they pose a significant hazard to themselves and their instructors in technical or tactical environments. Therefore, robust security is not merely a bureaucratic requirement; it is a fundamental pillar of operational safety and mission success.

Test Control Officers (TCOs) and Alternate TCOs

The administration of the ECL is not a task that can be performed by any available personnel. It is managed by officially appointed Test Control Officers (TCOs) and Alternate Test Control Officers (ATCOs).

A TCO is typically a U.S. military officer, senior non-commissioned officer, or U.S. government civilian employee assigned to a Security Cooperation Organization (SCO), defense attaché office, or military installation. The appointment of a TCO requires formal documentation and approval from the commander of the organization. The TCO is the primary individual responsible and accountable for all aspects of ECL testing at their designated site. They must complete rigorous certification training provided by DLIELC and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of all testing regulations before they are permitted to order or handle secure materials.

The responsibilities of a TCO/ATCO include:

• Secure Storage: Ensuring all ECL testing materials (booklets, audio files, answer keys, login credentials for CAT) are stored in a GSA-approved security container (safe) when not in use. The safe must meet strict Department of Defense specifications for the storage of classified or controlled unclassified information.
• Inventory Management: Conducting regular, documented inventories of all controlled test materials and maintaining detailed logs of when materials are checked out and returned. Any discrepancy, even a single missing answer sheet, must be investigated immediately.
• Test Administration: Directly supervising every ECL testing session, ensuring standardized conditions, verifying candidate identities against official military or passport identification, and strictly enforcing rules such as the single-hearing requirement and time limits. TCOs must maintain a sterile testing environment devoid of electronic devices or study aids.
• Score Reporting: Accurately calculating scores (for paper tests) and promptly reporting results into the Security Cooperation Training Management System (SC-TMS) or other required databases. Scores must be recorded accurately to ensure that candidates are correctly matched with their training requirements.
• Material Destruction: Following strict DLIELC protocols for the secure destruction of superseded or damaged test forms. When a test form is retired, it cannot simply be thrown away; it must be shredded or burned in accordance with established destruction guidelines, with a certificate of destruction maintained on file.

Alternate TCOs act in the absence of the primary TCO and must meet the same qualifications and undergo the same training and appointment process.

Strictly Controlled Test Security

The security of the ECL is paramount. The test materials are designated as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). They are subject to continuous chain-of-custody tracking.

Under no circumstances is the public allowed to purchase, view, or access ECL testing materials. Candidates are never permitted to possess test booklets or audio files outside of the strictly monitored testing session. Instructors who teach English to candidates are explicitly prohibited from serving as TCOs, ATCOs, or test proctors to prevent any conflict of interest or inadvertent teaching to the test. This separation of duties is critical; an instructor whose performance evaluations might be tied to their students' success could face undue pressure to assist candidates if they had access to the exam materials.

If a TCO suspects that a test form has been compromised—for example, if a test booklet is missing, if unauthorized photographs were taken, or if candidates show unusual knowledge of specific test items—they must immediately suspend all testing at the site. The TCO is required to report the suspected compromise directly to the DLIELC Testing and Measurement division. DLIELC will conduct an investigation, and the compromised form will be globally retired and replaced, a process that is both costly and disruptive. The swift reporting of a compromise is essential to contain the damage and maintain the global validity of the testing program.

Site Authorization by DLIELC

Not every military office or embassy is permitted to administer the ECL. A testing site must be formally authorized by DLIELC. To gain authorization, the requesting organization must prove that they have the required personnel (eligible TCOs), secure storage facilities (approved safes), and appropriate testing environments (quiet rooms with adequate spacing and audio equipment). DLIELC maintains a registry of all authorized ECL testing sites and conducts periodic audits and inspections to ensure compliance with security directives. During these inspections, TCO logs, inventory records, and physical security measures are scrutinized. Sites that fail to maintain compliance may have their testing authorization revoked until deficiencies are corrected.

The Role of the ALCPT in Preserving ECL Security

Given the high cost and security risks associated with developing and distributing secure ECL forms, DLIELC employs a protective strategy using the American Language Course Placement Test (ALCPT).

The ALCPT is a parallel test developed by DLIELC that mirrors the format, length, and difficulty of the ECL. However, unlike the ECL, the ALCPT is considered an un-controlled test. While it must still be handled responsibly, it is available for purchase by authorized military and government language schools around the world. It provides a highly accurate approximation of a student's ECL score without exposing the secure testing materials.

The primary functions of the ALCPT are:

1. Placement: To place students into appropriate levels within an English language training program.
2. Screening: This is its most critical function in relation to the ECL. Before a candidate is permitted to take the secure, high-stakes ECL test, they are often required to take the ALCPT as a screening tool.

By using the ALCPT first, training managers can estimate the candidate's current proficiency level. If a candidate scores a 40 on the ALCPT, but their required MASL score is an 80, the TCO knows the candidate is not ready. The candidate is sent back for further English training rather than wasting a secure ECL administration. This screening process prevents over-exposure of the limited number of secure ECL forms, mitigating the risk of candidates memorizing secure test items through repeated, unnecessary testing. It acts as a crucial buffer, ensuring that the ECL is reserved solely for candidates who have a realistic chance of achieving their required score.

Admin Hierarchy Diagram/Table