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Intensive English Program

Placement Test

Prior to the start of each semester, new IEP students are sent links to the IEP’s online placement test to determine their initial placement into Level 4 (Intermediate), Level 5 (High-intermediate) or Level 6 (Low-Advanced) of the IEP. New students receive their level placement, schedules, and book lists during IEP New Student Orientation.

What to Expect:

  • The entire placement test takes 90 minutes to complete.
  • There are five sections: grammar, listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
  • The grammar, listening, and reading sections are multiple-choice.  The speaking and writing sections require the students to prepare responses to two spoken and two written tasks.  Students will talk into a microphone to answer the speaking questions.  For the writing section, students will type their responses directly into the computer.

The writing and speaking scores are based on:

  1. Accurate control over language and general fluency
  2. Variety and control over sentence structure
  3. Variety and appropriateness of vocabulary
  4. Relevant support, details, and cohesiveness (organization and transitions)
  5. Effort required on the part of the reviewer to determine intended meaning

How to Prepare

  1. Read in English on any topic of interest to YOU; read as much as you can – magazine articles, newspapers, novels, etc.
  2. Watch English language TV – the international news, American TV shows, movies, etc.
  3. Listen to English podcasts
  4. Speak and write in English as much as possible.  Practice sharing your opinions on a variety of topics.  Be sure to support them with relevant details and examples.