iTEP Certificate

Certificate Test Variants

iTEP Foundation: A2

The iTEP Foundation Certificate Test is designed to evaluate test takers at the very beginning of their efforts to learn English. Test items are crafted to be within the reach of test takers who are at the initial stages of their English language proficiency development and are able to use English at a basic elementary level. As such, the iTEP Foundation test evaluates test takers most effectively at the A1 to A2 levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The Certificate will be awarded at the A2 level (2.0-2.2) and at the A2 level with Distinction (2.3-2.4). The scale below shows the scoring and corresponding CEFR designation for the iTEP Foundation test.

A   Grammar — one part

Part 1.    Ten fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice questions testing the examinee’s familiarity with key features of English structure; questions range from beginner to high beginner.

B   Listening — two parts

Part 1.    Six short conversations of two to three sentences, each followed by one multiple-choice question.

Part 2.    One two- to-three minute longer dialogue, followed by four multiple-choice questions.

C   Vocabulary — two parts

Part 1.    Five fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice questions.

Part 2.    Four multiple-choice questions testing the examinee’s familiarity with synonyms.

D   Reading — two parts

Part 1.    One passage (120 words) followed by four multiple-choice questions.

Part 2.    One passage (160 words) followed by six multiple-choice questions.

iTEP Essential: B2

The iTEP Essential test is designed to the evaluate test takers who have progressed past the beginning stages and into the intermediate levels of English language proficiency development. Test items are crafted to be within the reach of test takers who have mastered the basic aspects of English language usage but are not yet fully proficient. As such, the iTEP Essential test evaluates test takers most effectively at the A2 to B2 levels according to CEFR.

In each section, examinees will encounter content and questions targeted to varying levels of proficiency.

A   Grammar — one part

Part 1. Fifteen fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice questions testing the examinee’s familiarity with key features of English structure; questions range from elementary (A2) to high intermediate (B2).

B   Listening — three parts

Part 1.    Five short conversations, each followed by at least one question.

Part 2.    Two longer dialogues or announcements followed by multiple questions.

Part 3. One two-to-four-minute lecture, followed by five multiple-choice questions.

C   Vocabulary — two parts

Part 1.    Six fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice questions.

Part 2.    Four multiple-choice questions testing the examinee’s familiarity with synonyms and phrasal verbs.

D   Reading — three parts

Part 1.    One low-intermediate level passage (120 words) followed by four multiple- choice questions.

Part 2.    One intermediate-level passage (160 words) followed by four multiple- choice questions.

Part 3.    One upper-level passage (450 words) followed by six multiple-choice questions.

iTEP Advanced: C1

The iTEP Advanced Certificate test is designed to evaluate test takers who have progressed past the intermediate stages of English language proficiency development and are able to use English at an advanced level. Test items are crafted to confirm the overarching skills necessary for test takers to use English successfully in a variety of settings and for a variety of purposes. As such, the iTEP Advanced test evaluates test takers most effectively at the C1-C1+ levels according to the CEFR. The certificate will be awarded at the C1 level.

In each section, examinees will encounter content and questions targeted to varying levels of proficiency.

A   Grammar — one part

Part 1.    Fifteen fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice questions testing the examinee’s familiarity with key features of English structure; questions range from high beginning to advanced.

B   Listening — three parts

Part 1.    Five short conversations, each followed by at least one question.

Part 2.    Two longer conversations or announcements followed by multiple questions.

Part 3.    One two-to-four-minute lecture, followed by five multiple-choice questions.

C   Vocabulary — two parts

Part 1.    Six fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice questions.

Part 2.    Four multiple-choice questions testing the examinee’s familiarity with synonyms, and phrasal verbs and idioms.

D   Reading — two parts

Part 1.    One intermediate-level passage (160 words) followed by four multiple-choice questions.

Part 2.    One intermediate-level passage (450 words) followed by six multiple-choice questions.

E   Writing — two parts

Part 1.    The examinee is given five minutes to write a 50-100 word note on a supplied topic, geared to the intermediate level.

Part 2.    The examinee is given 20 minutes to write a 175-250 word piece expressing and supporting his or her opinion on an upper-level written topic.

F   Speaking — two parts (plus one minute warm-up section)

Part 1.    The examinee hears and reads a short question geared to the 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.