The Pergamon General Scales

The Pergamon General Tests is at two levels. There are the General
Elementary (GEL) test and the General Advance (GAD) test, which cover
a broad range of language performance. Below is an example of the
scales and writing samples. (Carroll J. B. and Hall J. P.; 1985)

General Language Scale

Band Description
9 EXPERT USER. Completely at home in all required
areas
8 VERY GOOD USER. Approaching bilingual competence
7 GOOD USER. Can cope with most expected situations.
No impediments to message. Strategies purposive and
effective. Mainly correct and appropriate language even
if there are a few slips and restrictions.
6 COMPETENT USER. Although coping with most
expected situations, occasionally confuses the message.
Strategies are mainly adequate. There will be some lack
of fluency and there will be occasional errors or
inaccuracies in using the language.
5 MODEST USER. There is a good deal of effective
language use, but there is a lack of coping strategies, and
fairly frequent occurrences of inaccurate and
inappropriate language.
4 MARGINAL USER. Although can get by without serious
breakdown, his message is too often confused for
comfort. Lack style, fluency and accuracy with a good
deal of native language interference, but does on the
whole communicate.
3 EXTREMELY LIMITED USER. Does not have an
efficient working knowledge of the language for the
purposed for which he needs it, but is above the level of
beginner-learner. Both language usage and strategies are
very deficient. There are many gaps in communication.
Given time and help, does communicate.
2 INTERMITTENT USER. Well below the level of a
working knowledge of the language. Communication
occurs only spasmodically. Requires a good deal of
tolerance by speakers of the language. Will have two or
three areas of coherent communication.
1 NON-USER. Ranging from only having one or two catch
phrases to being unable to recognize which language is
being used.