The EPT-W test is a 50-minute, computer-based test administered through Canvas. The ENGL 0990S test-out is a face-to-face assessment of oral communication ability lasting approximately 20-30 minutes. Expand each of the sections below for details about the specific test.
Once you have completed the test, please see the section on Viewing Your Results below.
The EPT Writing test (EPT-W) is a 50-minute, computer-based test administered through Canvas, ISU’s learning management system. The EPT-W assesses your ability to summarize, synthesize, and evaluate information presented in different sources and to state and support arguments with sufficient details and examples using standard academic English. You will be given 5 minutes to read two texts (250-300 words each) about an issue of general interest. After that, you will complete two writing tasks.
Note: Students’ performance on Task 2 contributes twice as much to the final result of the EPT-W than does Task 1 (that is, Task 2 is weighted at 66.67% and Task 1 is weighted at 33.33%), hence the greater amount of time allotted for Task 2.
This test is a face-to-face assessment of oral communication ability. The test provides evidence of whether test-takers need to take an oral communication course at ISU (i.e., ENGL 0990S) or are exempt from that course. The EPT Speaking test is required for all international students whose native language is not English and are not exempt based on criteria that can be found on the Undergraduate English Requirement and Graduate English Requirement pages. The test lasts approximately 20-30 minutes.
The EPT Speaking test is intended to measure test-takers’ oral communication skills necessary for success in academic contexts. These oral communication skills include the ability to effectively interact with professors, instructors, and peers; the ability to use the language fluently; the ability to produce language that is comprehensible to most English users in the United States Midwest; and the ability to use academic vocabulary and grammar accurately and appropriately.
The test takes about 20 minutes and consists of two main tasks. The first task is a scripted one-on-one oral interview; the second task is a paired-discussion task. These two tasks are included because it makes it possible for test-takers to demonstrate their abilities both individually and in a pair, which are both common in a university context. It is known that a test taker’s partner’s oral proficiency, personality, or other personal characteristics can affect a test taker’s performance on a paired test. Thus, raters are trained to take this into consideration when assigning scores on the paired test. To ensure a fair test score, in cases where the personality or proficiency of a partner seems to affect a test taker’s score, test administrators may ask test takers to retake the test with a different partner.
Because the aim of the test is to measure test takers’ ability to speak spontaneously, they are expected to respond immediately in all test tasks; no preparation time is given and taking notes is not allowed. The test might be recorded to ensure the quality of the rating.
| Description | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total test time | 20 minutes per pair of test-takers |
| Number of parts | 2 |
| Test takers interact with | The examiner during the scripted one-on-one oral interview and the other test taker during the paired discussion task. |
| Description | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total time | 8 minutes |
| Number of questions | 3 |
| Task content | One-on-one interaction with an examiner. The examiner asks three questions, and test-takers are expected to speak for one minute in response to each question. |
| Description | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total time | 12 minutes |
| Number of questions | 2 |
| Task content | Discussion of an assigned topic with another test taker. First, test-takers listen to a short position on an issue and are given a minute to tell why the speaker has a particular view on the topic. Second, test takers are expected to discuss and defend a position on the topic for approximately 4 minutes. |
No preparation time is given, and taking notes is not allowed.
The EPT results will be viewable in your Workday account approximately one week after the test date. You will receive an email informing you when the results are available. Follow these instructions to locate and view your scores in Workday.
When viewing your results in Workday, make sure to read the scores in the “Score” column, not the “Percentile” column.
EPT results are reported separately for each ESL course. For each course, you will receive a score of 1 or 2.
If you took the ENGL 0990S Test-Out, you will see results for one ESL course: ENGL 0990S.
If you took the EPT Writing section (graduate students only), you will see results for two ESL courses: ENGL 1010B and ENGL 1010D.
Please note that students may take the EPT Writing section only once. Retesting is not permitted.
