iTEP Slate

Slate Test Variants

iTEP SLATE is available in its Core and Plus forms which differ in the number of sections required and the delivery format. SLATE-Core is available in paper-based format.

Slate Plus

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

Slate Core

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

iTEP SLATE Overview

The primary function of iTEP SLATE is to assess the English language proficiency level of middle and high school students of English as a second language.
Admissions decisions

• Placement of students within language programs
• Curriculum development and guiding course instruction
• Progress monitoring from entry to exit
• English-language teacher evaluations
• Determining eligibility for exchange programs

TEST FORMAT & DELIVERY

Online 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 answer choices 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 SLATE is available in its Core and Plus forms which differ in the number of sections required and the delivery
format. SLATE-Core is available in paper-based format.

iTEP SLATE 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/ three parts
Part 1. Two low-intermediate level passages of approximately 50 words in length, followed by two multiple choice questions.
Part 2. One intermediate-level passage of approximately 200 words in length, followed by four multiple-choice questions.
Part 3. One low-advanced passage of approximately 500 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.