How To Pass SVAR Exam

Play the video to see SVAR in action.

There is another form of vocal test used in screening candidates in the BPO recruitment process and an increasing number of call center companies are transferring to the SVAR test, mainly due to the lower cost associated per test and easier to conduct since it is also available as a mobile app.

So what exactly is SVAR and how does it work?

SVAR is an automated Spoken English Assessment Tool. SVAR is available over Interactive Voice Response(IVR) as well as the Internet.

The tool evaluates the pronunciation, fluency, intonation, listening, language anticipation and spoken English understanding of the candidate.

Available in multiple variants, SVAR’s most popular variant is a 16 minute evaluation designed to assess the correctness and accuracy of the candidate’s spoken English. Assessing Pronunciation, Fluency, Intonation, Listening and Language Anticipation Skills, Spoken English Understanding and Extempore Skills, the tool provides a comprehensive evaluation.

The test uses a combination of reading and speaking sentences, listening and repeating sentences and words, listening comprehension passages and free speech to evaluate the candidate.

SVAR has six parts (Section A to F).

Section A is reading

You will be instructed to read 10 sentences included in the piece of paper given to you at the start of the test. The voice will tell you to read sentence 1, 10, 2, and 5 for instance; but even if you don’t read the sentences you are asked to read, it doesn’t matter. What matters is you read something loud and clear, there is no dead air, avoid stuttering and no fillers.

Section B is repeat the sentence you hear

You just have to repeat the sentences you hear, listen carefully you will only get once chance to hear. Even if you don’t understand what has been spoken, it doesn’t really matter.

What if you don’t understand the recorded sentence?

Don’t worry, still speak a sentence in a way that you don’t sound uncertain of what you are saying. Even if you say, “I’m sorry I don’t understand what you said because it was too fast.” is fine for as long as you follow the correct intonation and you don’t sound doubtful of your answer.

Section C is answering simple questions

In this section you will hear a conversation followed by a set of questions based on it.

For example, the recorded voice says, “Joe is smiling, is he happy or sad?” Even if your answer is “sad” it doesn’t matter. Just make sure that you sound affirmative and you answer promptly. But of course it is better if you answer it truthfully and correctly.

Section D is vocabulary

This section will test your vocabulary, there are multiple choice questions followed by answers in option form. Answer according to the instructions you hear.

For example the recorded voice will say the following:

What is the synonym for the word Huge?
A) Heavy
B) Tiny
C) Large
D) Little

If you have picked C as the correct answer pat yourself in the back, remember you have to answer the whole sentence as “The answer is C, Large“

Section E is grammar

This section will test your grammar, similar to Section D there are multiple questions followed by four options. Answer according to the instructions you hear.

For example the recorded voice will say the following:

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?
A) Good morning ma’am! How must I help you?
B) Good morning ma’am! How would I help you?
C) Good morning ma’am! How may I help you?
D) Good morning ma’am! How might I help you?

If you have picked C as the correct answer but you have to answer the whole sentence as “The answer is C, Good morning ma’am! How may I help you?“

Section F is timed answers

In this section, you are required to speak on the topic provided to you. The topic will be repeated twice, you will be given 30 seconds to think about the topic. After 30 seconds, you will hear a beep tone. Start speaking on the topic after the beep. Speak on the topic for a maximum of 45 seconds.

The goal is not to be able to retell the topic in 30 seconds or to answer the open question in 40 seconds but to consume the time allotted to answer.

Think of your own creative way to extend the sentence. For instance, instead of saying “I applied for a CSR job in Exprosearch.” say, “I applied for a CSR, TSR, Non-voice and Back office job in Exprosearch.” Or instead of saying, “He works on weekdays” say, “He works on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.” that strategy is termed as “listing.”

We hope you will find this info helpful, if you follow those guidelines you will surely be guaranteed to pass your SVAR assessment. If you would like to add more in regards to the SVAR test sections, feel free to comment below!

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