Students whose primary language is not English and who are not enrolled in distance-only programs must meet the Iowa State University English language requirement. The English Requirement is different from the minimum English proficiency needed for admission to ISU. Students who are admitted to ISU may be required to take English classes to meet this requirement.
English Placement Test
Important update — effective Fall 2026. The English placement process has changed. Please see below.
Fall 2026 changes
The English Placement Test is no longer used for placement of undergraduate students. Please read the relevant section below carefully based on your student status (undergraduate or graduate).
Important Notes:
- A primary language is defined as the language in which a person is most proficient and/or which was the first language learned and spoken from childhood.
- A list of fully online, distance-only programs can be found on the Office of the Registrar website (scroll down on the page to find the relevant semester and year). Students who take any classes on ISU’s campus in Ames as part of their program are not considered distance-only and must therefore meet the English requirement.
- International exchange students who do not plan to take classes offered by the Department of English are not required to meet the English requirement. Exchange students are those who come to ISU from another country as part of a formal exchange program to spend a semester or academic year attending classes and participating in campus life. They continue to be enrolled full-time and earn credits towards their degree at their home institution.
Undergraduate students (beginning Fall 2026)
For incoming undergraduate students, English placement is determined automatically based on the test scores submitted for admission. An optional test-out is offered for oral communication. No additional writing test is needed. The following notes relate specifically to the undergraduate English Requirement:
- The Undergraduate English Requirement includes two components: Writing and Oral Communication. See the Undergraduate English Requirement page for placement details.
- Undergraduate students can meet the English Requirement with (1) previous education, (2) standardized English proficiency test scores, or (3) ESL Writing courses and/or ESL Oral Communication courses.
- Undergraduates who do not meet the Writing component of the requirement through options (1) or (2) are placed into ESL Writing courses automatically based on scores from English proficiency tests submitted at admission (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or PTE Academic).
- Undergraduates who do not meet the Oral Communication component of the requirement through options (1) or (2) are required to take ENGL 0990S or pass the ENGL 0990S Test-Out.
Graduate students (Fall 2026)
- The Graduate English Requirement includes two components: Writing and Oral Communication. See the Graduate English Requirement page for placement details
- Graduate students can meet the English Requirement with (1) previous education, (2) standardized English proficiency test scores, or (3) ESL courses.
- Graduate students who do not meet the Writing Component of the English requirement through options (1) or (2) should take the EPT Writing section to see which if any ESL Writing courses are required.
- The EPT-W evaluates whether students have the English proficiency needed to succeed academically at ISU or whether they need additional instruction in writing and/or oral communication.
- Students who do not pass will be placed into ESL courses based on their results.
- The EPT-W is free of charge. Students may take the EPT only once. Prepare for the test by reviewing the EPT-W Test Format.
- Fall 2026 will be the final semester in which the EPT-W is offered. Upcoming test dates are listed below. Registration can be found on the Test Schedule and Registration page.
- Graduate students who do not meet the Oral Communication component of the English requirement through options (1) or (2) are required to take ENGL 0990S or pass the ENGL 0990S Test-Out.
- The Graduate English Requirement is different from the English For Teaching (EFT) requirement, which is met through the OECT. The English department does not administer the OECT. If you are a graduate student and need to take the OECT, please visit the OECT page on the Graduate College website for further information.
Contact us
- Email: ept@iastate.edu (fastest way)
- Please do not send any sensitive information, such as transcripts or exam scores.
- Office: 239 Ross Hall (appointment required)
- Phone: The EPT office extension is not monitored. Please send all inquiries via email.