Why you should know the SVAR Test before applying to any Call Center job

This is your quick guide on the SVAR test.

Do you agree that you will do much better on any job application if you are 100% prepared? Have you gone through a BPO job application in the past and got surprised by the whole process? Are you about to go through your BPO job application without knowing what the different stages are? Siegen Solutions’ UNLIVERSITY.COM is giving you a preview of what goes into those computer-based exams. The goal is to provide you with a leg-up. As they say, knowing is half the battle.

Unliversity.com is a 100% FREE ONLINE COURSE SITE that aims to upskill and coach applicants of the BPO industry.

SVAR TEST

The SVAR Test is a tool-based communication test that evaluates a candidate's proficiency in Spoken English. It is a telephone-based test, and you will most likely use a headset with a microphone. It is very similar to Versant, although there are some differences that you have to remember when taking the tests.

The following skills are evaluated by the SVAR test tool.

• Pronunciation

• Fluency

• Intonation

• Listening

• Language anticipation

• Spoken English

• Comprehension of the language

SVAR usually has 6 STAGES or SECTIONS. Each section is carefully designed to test the candidate's ability with higher accuracy. 

SECTION 1: READING

The Reading section in the SVAR test evaluates a candidate's ability to read with accurate fluency. Remember to talk LOUDLY, CLEARLY, and a bit SLOWLY so the computer can capture your answers accurately. Do not keep the microphone close as the breathing sound might be picked up and might lessen the score. Read casually, and don't be nervous to avoid stammering. It's very simple. Maybe you can practice reading a few sentences before the exam to check your pronunciation.

SECTION 2: LISTENING

This section tests your ability to listen and recite the sentences back. Sentences will be read one after the other. You must listen and recite the sentences back exactly without any flaw. Remember, the sentences will be read only once. In case you didn't clearly understand a particular sentence, try to phrase a sentence with whatever words you heard. Even if you don't receive a full score, you will receive a partial score.

SECTION 3: LISTENING DEDUCTIONS

The section tests your ability to comprehend a conversation and arrive at logical deductions. A conversation between 2 or more people will be played. You have to listen to the conversation carefully. A set of questions will be based on the conversation. Answer the questions based on your understanding of the conversation. The conversations will be situation-based. If you are allowed to, and you have a pen & paper, you can jot down important points in the conversation.

SECTION 4: GRAMMAR

In this section, your grammatical skills will be assessed. A question with four options will be asked then you will have to choose the grammatically correct sentence.

Here is a sample question:

Question: Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

1. Marcus were buying mangoes

2. Marcus was buying mangoes

3. Marcus had buying mangoes

4. Marcus is ate mangoes

Since the options are read only once, you must listen to it very carefully. Once you identify that a particular option is correct, make a note of the option number in a notepad. This will help you not get confused with the other options.

SECTION 5: ERROR IDENTIFICATION

In the error identification section of the test, you will be given a list of sentences and will be asked to identify the errors in them. You need to focus and listen very carefully to get a good score in this section.

Sometimes, you might be asked with the synonyms/antonyms question in this section. So it is recommended to be prepared to face such questions.

SECTION 6: SPEAKING

In this section, an applicant's ability to structure and communicate ideas in English is tested. A topic will be given. The name of the topic will be repeated twice. A 30-second time limit will be given for you to think about the topic. Then you have to speak about the topic for the next 45 seconds. If you are allowed to have a pen and paper, jot down points that you would like to speak for the given topic. Then speak slowly and clearly without any fillers like "uh" or "ahmmm.." but you can use extenders like enumerating examples.

Unlike in Versant, where the use of filler to fit the time frame is recommended, you do not need it in SVAR.