iTEP Academic

Academic Test Variants

iTEP Academic comes in two forms. The most well-known version being iTEP Academic-Plus which tests grammar, listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Additionally, we offer iTEP Academic-Core which tests grammar, listening and reading. Institutions should use iTEP Academic-Plus for official admissions purposes. For internal assessments, on the other hand, either test is suitable.

Academic Plus

iTEP Academic-Plus assesses all three Academic-Core skills plus writing and speaking, and is 80 minutes in length, with an additional 10 minutes for pre-test preparation.

Academic Core

iTEP Academic-Core assesses grammar, listening, and reading, and is 50 minutes in length, with an additional 10 minutes for pre-test preparation.

iTEP Academic Overview

The primary function of iTEP is to assess the English language proficiency of students of English as a second language. The iTEP Academic exam is commonly used for:

• Admissions decisions
• Placement of students within language programs
• Curriculum development and guiding course instruction
• Progress monitoring from program entry to exit
• Assessing the proficiency of English language teachers
• Determining eligibility for scholarships and academic grants

TEST FORMAT & DELIVERY

iTEP exams are delivered via the internet and must be administered at a secure location or a certified iTEP test center. The examinee completes the test in the following manner:

• During the grammar, listening, and reading sections, the examinee clicks on one of four answerchoices for each question.
• Writing samples are typed directly into a text-entry field.
• Speaking samples are recorded with a headset and microphone at the examinee’s computer.
• iTEP Academic-Core is also available in a paper-based format.

iTEP Academic Structure

In each section, examinees will encounter content and questions targeted to varying levels of proficiency.
A Grammar (Structure) — 10 minutes/ two parts
Part 1. Thirteen fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice questions testing the examinee’s familiarity with key features of English structure; questions range from beginner to advanced.
Part 2. Twelve multiple-choice questions where the examinee selects the part of speech with incorrect English structure; questions range from elementary to advanced.
B Listening — 20 minutes/ three parts
Part 1. Four high-beginning to low-intermediate level short conversations of two to three sentences, each followed by one multiple-choice question.
Part 2. One two- to three-minute intermediate-level conversation, followed by four multiple-choice questions.
Part 3. One four-minute upper-level lecture, followed by six multiple-choice questions.
C Reading — 20 minutes/ two parts
Part 1. One intermediate-level passage of about 250 words in length, followed by four multiple-choice questions.
Part 2. One upper-level paragraph of about 450 words in length, followed by six multiple-choice questions.
D Writing — 25 minutes/ two parts
Part 1. The examinee is given five minutes to write a 50-75 word note on a supplied topic, geared to the low-intermediate level.
Part 2. The examinee is given 20 minutes to write a 175-225 word piece expressing and supporting his or her opinion on an upper-level written topic.
E Speaking — 5 minutes/ two parts (plus one minute warm-up section)
Part 1. The examinee hears and reads a short question geared to low-intermediate level, then has 30 seconds to prepare a spoken response and 45 seconds to speak.
Part 2. The examinee hears a brief upper-level statement presenting two sides of an issue, then is asked to express his or her thoughts on the topic, with 45 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.