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.

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.
    • Watch a video of a mini-lecture on a given topic which will inform your essay. Note taking is allowed.
    • 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.
    • 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 complete the writing task. You will be given a series of questions to help structure their essay. This section is not graded, and it is a chance for you to organize their ideas before beginning your essay. You will then write an argumentative essay on a given topic.

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 respond to a series of warm-up questions, read a passage out loud, and watch a video. Based on the video, you will be asked to answer discussion questions and will be asked to describe a chart with information relevant to the video. 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.