|  ENGLISH PROFICIENCY EVALUATION
What is the English Proficiency Evaluation (EPE)? Who needs to take the EPE?
When should I take the EPE?
When will I get the results, and what do they mean?
Is there a fee for the EPE?
The English Proficiency Evaluation
is a 90-minute test that consists of three parts:
30-minute writing test (essay)
45-minute reading test (multiple
choice)
15-minute oral interview
If a student is required to take
the EPE, he or she must do so before registration. The computer code which blocks
registration will be removed once the student has completed the test.
Who Needs to Take the EPE?
International Students:
All international students with a TOEFL iBT score of less than 100 (600/250, paper/computer) are required to take the EPE prior to their first registration. These students will be informed of the test date and time when they check in at the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). If a student is not required to check in at OISS, she will find information about the EPE in the admission packet she receives.
Some graduate departments require all students to take the exam, regardless of TOEFL score. Students are not allowed to register until this evaluation has been taken.
U.S. Students:
U.S. students whose first language is not English may also be required to take the English Proficiency Evaluation. Exceptions to this requirement are made for students who score 100 or higher on the TOEFL iBT (600/250, paper/computer).
When Should I Take the EPE?
New students:
International students who are
are to be tested for the first time will be informed of the test time and
date when they check in at the Office of International Students and Scholars or in written materials sent to them by the Office of Admissions.
Incoming U.S. students (both
freshmen and transfer) usually test during their scheduled orientation program.
Current students wishing to retest:
Students may be re-evaluated one
time only. At least one ESL class must be taken before students can retest. Students who wish
to be retested should go to the ESL Office in 1112 University Capitol Centre to receive permission
and information about the test date. Students will not be allowed to retest
without presenting a permission slip to the testing official on the day of the
test.
The spring re-test will be held
mid-April. Students should come to the ESL Office in late March or early
April to receive permission to take the test. The fall re-test will be held mid-November. Students should come to the ESL Office in late October or early
November to receive permission to take the test. There is no test given in the summer.
When Will I Get the Results, and What Do They Mean? Undergraduates receive their EPE results at their academic orientation. Graduate students should check with their academic advisor for their EPE results. If your advisor does not have your results, ask your department. If they do not have your results, please have your department call the ESL Office. In compliance with confidentiality procedures, under no circumstances will results be given to students over the phone. Depending on your score, you will be told one of three things:
—that no further work in English is necessary,
—that you are required to take ESL classes, or
—that you are required to take classes in the Iowa Intensive English Program before beginning regular coursework, and/or are limited in the number of credit hours of regular coursework you can take. (This occurs only when a student scores below the level required for academic work.)
If the EPE indicates that coursework is necessary, the courses are REQUIRED for graduation. Undergraduates must take all required ESL classes before taking rhetoric.
ESL courses cannot be taken Pass/No Pass or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
Once enrolled, undergraduate students are not allowed to drop required ESL courses.
Is There a Fee for the EPE?
Yes. Beginning in August 2005, the University will charge students' accounts $30 for the EPE. |
