ELPT: Format

1. Reading/Listening, Summary, Essay (~1.5 hours)

   The essay section of the ELPT is combines critical reading with skills in writing an original essay and summarizing both written and oral information. You will respond to questions about readings as well as lectures and short dialogs. You will be asked to write short summaries of information both read and heard. Finally, you will be asked to write a brief expository essay in which you take a position on an issue presented and support that position. The focus of assessment of the essay is on discursive elements appropriate to writing for the U.S. academy as well as command of linguistic structures appropriate to writing for the U.S. academy. We do not assess the opinions or positions expressed. We are only interested in the clarity and appropriateness of the language you use to express those opinions or positions.

Registration

Format

Exemptions

Results

2. Interview (~10-15 minutes)

The interview section of the ELPT is an informal, face-to-face interview with two trained interviewers. This section tests your ability to comprehend questions in English as well as to answer them appropriately. The focus of assessment is on the appropriateness of your discursive response as well as its linguistic accuracy, not on the actual opinions you express. In other words, we do not assess your position on issues or opinions about situations. We are interested in the way in which you express those positions or opinions.

Initial questions may focus on your academic plans. Additional questions may focus on hobbies or current issues, although knowledge of current events or issues is not tested.

Like the TOEFL, the ELPT provides a snapshot of your overall language proficiency at the time of testing. Although studying for the ELPT is not recommended, spending time reading, listening to, speaking and writing in English prior to the test would be beneficial. Any activities that force you to use English as a medium of communication will help you hone your skills and improve your proficiency, which should be reflected on your ELPT results.

Further Information

If you need additional information, email the director of ESL at esl@uah.edu. Please put your family name and "Query, ELPT format" in the subject line of your message.

Example:

Subject: Basso - Query, ELPT format