Student taking notes

The test is comprised of two components which elicit a comprehensive range of writing abilities and oral skills. This includes a writing section and an oral section. Both are administered online.

The written section involves a mini-lecture and short reading passages on a given topic, followed by an essay task. The purpose of the lecture is to assure that examinees will fully understand the given topic and obtain necessary input to their writing process. More detailed instructions can be found below.

The oral section involves providing spoken answers to general questions, completing a read-aloud task, and responding to questions about a video and visual information. This section is to be completed within the 24-hour testing window as scheduled during registration. More detailed instructions can be found below.

In both sections of the test, receiving help from anyone, in-person or remotely, other than the EPT staff is strictly forbidden. Additionally, the use of external sources or writing aids such as grammar checkers or AI text generators is forbidden. Evidence of receiving help from other people or disallowed devices will invalidate your test, and will result in repercussions in line with the university's policies on academic integrity.
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EPT

WRITING SECTION

This integrated writing test requires students to produce an academic essay based on the information obtained from a short lecture and series of reading passages. Please check with your registration confirmation regarding when the window to complete the writing section will be.

Specific procedures:

  • After Registration: After registering for a test window, you will receive an email that contains the link to the testing website. Students are required to log in to the testing website to check on technical requirements. Be prepared to install software on your computer required to complete the test, including academic dishonesty prevention software (Safe Exam Browser).
  • Beginning the Test: When your test window begins, you will have access to the test materials. In order you will:
    • Read about the EPT procedure and watch an Online EPT Introduction video.
    • Receive an explanation of the scoring rubric and academic integrity. You will take a short quiz on Academic Integrity to agree with all the conditions of UIUC student academic rights and regulations.
    • Watch a video of a mini-lecture on a given topic which will inform your essay. Note taking is allowed.
    • Read six short articles about the same topic as the above lecture. These will inform your essay writing. Note taking is allowed.
  • Providing a Written Response: You will have 90 minutes to write an argumentative essay based on the lecture and the articles. You will be given a series of questions to help structure their essay. You will have access to the six articles while you write. You will then write an argumentative essay on a given topic.
  • Evaluation: Essays are evaluated by trained raters with linguistics and ESL teaching backgrounds. Essays are evaluated for rhetorical and language features. The following features are evaluated by raters:
    • Your essay should have a clear introduction, body and conclusion which are unified around a controlling idea.
    • The ideas within your essay should be explicitly connected and logically organized.
    • Your ideas should be supported with enough evidence sourced from both the lecture and the reading.
    • Your essay should demonstrate critical thinking and original analysis.
    • Your essay should be written in your own words. Do not reproduce language directly from the lecture and the readings in your essay.
    • Your essay should demonstrate coherence and accurate use of academic English grammar and vocabulary.
  • See the Interpret Your Scores page for information on test scores and placements

Test-taking Tips

  • Take notes during the lecture and the article reading.
  • Make sure you attribute information to correct sources.
  • Write a clear introduction, body and conclusion.
  • Build your own points based upon the reading and lecture. Do not write a summary.
  • Elaborate on your points; support major points with examples from the sources.
  • Use academic language, both vocabulary and sentence structure, which can enhance your message.
  • Pay attention to the time constraints.
  • Start from outlining.
  • Practice writing essays under a time limit.

ORAL SECTION

Not all test-takers of the Written EPT are required to take the Oral EPT. Students who need the Oral EPT (based on the information submitted for admission) will be contacted individually prior to taking the test.

The oral section will be available on the same day as the writing section after the essay writing portion is completed.

In the oral section, you will be asked to read a passage out loud, listen to a conversation and respond to the speakers, and describe a chart with information relevant to an academic topic. You will directly record your responses as attachments in the testing interface for each question.

Practice Test

You're strongly encouraged to take the EPT Practice Test before your test date. You can access the test site here. Log in with your NetID, and use the enrollment key (include the exclamation mark) when prompted: eptpractice2017!

You will need your Illinois NetID and Password to take the practice test and to register for the test.