The International Test of English Proficiency or iTEP is a language assessment tool that measures the English skills of non-native English speakers. The test is supported by more than 700 institutions[1] including the California State University system.[2][3] The test is available in more than 40 countries, and is also used by businesses, and governments such as Saudi Arabia, Colombia, and Mexico for large-scale initiatives.[1][4][5] There are over 600 iTEP test centers worldwide, with more than 100 in China[6] where iTEP has partnerships with some of the largest education companies in the country.[7]
iTEP logo
iTEP International was co-founded by former ELS Language Centers President Perry Akins and business partner Sharif Ossayran. The test was first launched in 2008 for colleges, universities, and international programs. Versions for secondary schools and business use were soon added, followed by English tests for specific industries such as hospitality and au pair.[8]
There are three iTEP exams for use in educational settings:[9]
iTEP Academic is used on-site by intensive English programs (IEPs) for placement, progress, and exit evaluation. It is also used by colleges and universities for admissions purposes.
iTEP SLATE evaluates high school, secondary school, and middle school students, and is used by boarding schools and academies. Between June 2012 and June 2013, the number of US institutions recognizing this test quadrupled and the number continues to grow through 2017. This growth is largely due to the retirement of ETS's SLEP exam and the limited availability of their TOEFL Junior test.[10]
iTEP Placement is designed for the prompt turnaround of placement testing in English programs. It assesses grammar, listening, vocabulary, and reading in addition to writing prompts that can be graded by the administering institution.
iTEP Academic and SLATE each have a "core" version and a "plus" version. The "core" versions are Internet-based, last 60 minutes, and test reading, grammar and listening. The "plus" versions last 90 minutes in total and also test writing and speaking, requiring the test taker to submit writing and speaking samples via computer. Results are available instantly on the multiple-choice "core" sections, and the speaking and writing results are graded by ESL-trained native English speakers in 5 business days (or 24 hours for IEPs). The "plus" exams retail for $119USD and can be scheduled within 3 days, making iTEP one of the most flexible and least expensive options among its competitors, which include TOEFL and IELTS. Institutions administering iTEP exams on-site receive discounted rates. iTEP also creates customized or white label tests for educational institutions.[11]
Business Applications
iTEP offers general iTEP Business and iTEP Conversation exams, as well as specialized English exams for specific industries.
iTEP Business measures the English skills needed for a work environment. It is used by companies to screen new hires, make decisions about promotions and assignments, and evaluate English training programs. Like iTEP Academic and iTEP SLATE, iTEP Business has a core and plus version.[4]
iTEP Conversation assesses an individual's ability to speak and understand English within 30 minutes. The exam is designed to put the test-taker at ease using a conversational, friendly context. This exam is also used in academic settings.[12]
iTEP Hospitality measures the English skills necessary to work at restaurants, hotels, resorts, and cruise lines that serve English speakers. The test lasts 30 minutes and evaluates speaking and listening. It is typically administered onsite by an employer for hiring and promotional decisions.[13]
iTEP Au Pair evaluates the English abilities of foreign applicants to au pair programs in the US. Like iTEP Hospitality, it assesses speaking and listening skills in 30 minutes using industry specific content.
iTEP Intern is used by agencies that process J-1 visa applicants who wish to come from abroad to work as interns with US companies. This exam lasts 30 minutes and assesses listening and speaking skills using workplace contexts.[14]
Scoring
iTEP scores individuals on a scale of 0-6 (at 0.5 intervals) for each section of the test as well as an overall score. Each level translates to CEFR levels and an equivalent range of scores on other language proficiency exams.[15]
Test Preparation
In 2014, iTEP released the Official iTEP Preparation Guide, printing an updated edition in 2015. The Prep Guide consists of a 133-page printed book intended to familiarize test-takers with the format of the tests, and two practice tests, one to be taken before reading the book as a diagnostic, and another to be taken at the end as a comparison. The writing and speaking portions of the test are self-graded to help test-takers grasp the criteria that will be used to evaluate their work. The Prep Guide is sold online for about $27USD.[16] An edition for the Chinese market was published by Beijing Foreign Studies University-based Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press in 2016 and retails for ¥88.[17]
External links
Official iTEP site
Official iTEP Preparation Guide on Amazon
Video about iTEP
References
^ ab"Gobierno entregará certificados gratuitos de inglés a 10 mil personas". El Tiempo. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
^(PDF). California State University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
^. California State Polytechnic University. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
^ ab. United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
^. Government of Saudi Arabia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
^Linda, Yeung (2 February 2015). "International Test of English Proficiency offers low-cost tests over the internet". scmp.com. South China Morning Post. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
^Baker, Amy (14 Dec 2017). "iTEP English exams scale up in China". The PIE News. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
^"iTEP SLATE". Trademarkia. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
^Ashwill, Mark A. . International Educator. Archived from the original on 16 March 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
^Thomas, Daniel. "iTEP SLATE exam climbs 300%, USA". Professionals in International Education. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
^. Cleveland State University. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
^"Introducing iTEP Conversation". YouTube. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
^"iTEP Hospitality Exam Tests English Proficiency". qsrmagazine.com. QSR Magazine. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
^"New Exams: iTEP AuPair, iTEP Intern". Boston Educational Services. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
^(PDF). FHI 360. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
^"Official guide for iTEP test launched". Study Travel Magazine. 239 (September 2014): 15. September 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
^ https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=541395551181&toSite=main. Retrieved 23 November 2016. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
March 06, 2023
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The International Test of English Proficiency or iTEP is a language assessment tool that measures the English skills of non native English speakers The test is supported by more than 700 institutions 1 including the California State University system 2 3 The test is available in more than 40 countries and is also used by businesses and governments such as Saudi Arabia Colombia and Mexico for large scale initiatives 1 4 5 There are over 600 iTEP test centers worldwide with more than 100 in China 6 where iTEP has partnerships with some of the largest education companies in the country 7 iTEP logo iTEP International was co founded by former ELS Language Centers President Perry Akins and business partner Sharif Ossayran The test was first launched in 2008 for colleges universities and international programs Versions for secondary schools and business use were soon added followed by English tests for specific industries such as hospitality and au pair 8 Contents 1 Education Applications 2 Business Applications 3 Scoring 4 Test Preparation 5 External links 6 ReferencesEducation Applications EditThere are three iTEP exams for use in educational settings 9 iTEP Academic is used on site by intensive English programs IEPs for placement progress and exit evaluation It is also used by colleges and universities for admissions purposes iTEP SLATE evaluates high school secondary school and middle school students and is used by boarding schools and academies Between June 2012 and June 2013 the number of US institutions recognizing this test quadrupled and the number continues to grow through 2017 This growth is largely due to the retirement of ETS s SLEP exam and the limited availability of their TOEFL Junior test 10 iTEP Placement is designed for the prompt turnaround of placement testing in English programs It assesses grammar listening vocabulary and reading in addition to writing prompts that can be graded by the administering institution iTEP Academic and SLATE each have a core version and a plus version The core versions are Internet based last 60 minutes and test reading grammar and listening The plus versions last 90 minutes in total and also test writing and speaking requiring the test taker to submit writing and speaking samples via computer Results are available instantly on the multiple choice core sections and the speaking and writing results are graded by ESL trained native English speakers in 5 business days or 24 hours for IEPs The plus exams retail for 119USD and can be scheduled within 3 days making iTEP one of the most flexible and least expensive options among its competitors which include TOEFL and IELTS Institutions administering iTEP exams on site receive discounted rates iTEP also creates customized or white label tests for educational institutions 11 Business Applications EditiTEP offers general iTEP Business and iTEP Conversation exams as well as specialized English exams for specific industries iTEP Business measures the English skills needed for a work environment It is used by companies to screen new hires make decisions about promotions and assignments and evaluate English training programs Like iTEP Academic and iTEP SLATE iTEP Business has a core and plus version 4 iTEP Conversation assesses an individual s ability to speak and understand English within 30 minutes The exam is designed to put the test taker at ease using a conversational friendly context This exam is also used in academic settings 12 iTEP Hospitality measures the English skills necessary to work at restaurants hotels resorts and cruise lines that serve English speakers The test lasts 30 minutes and evaluates speaking and listening It is typically administered onsite by an employer for hiring and promotional decisions 13 iTEP Au Pair evaluates the English abilities of foreign applicants to au pair programs in the US Like iTEP Hospitality it assesses speaking and listening skills in 30 minutes using industry specific content iTEP Intern is used by agencies that process J 1 visa applicants who wish to come from abroad to work as interns with US companies This exam lasts 30 minutes and assesses listening and speaking skills using workplace contexts 14 Scoring EditiTEP scores individuals on a scale of 0 6 at 0 5 intervals for each section of the test as well as an overall score Each level translates to CEFR levels and an equivalent range of scores on other language proficiency exams 15 Test Preparation EditIn 2014 iTEP released the Official iTEP Preparation Guide printing an updated edition in 2015 The Prep Guide consists of a 133 page printed book intended to familiarize test takers with the format of the tests and two practice tests one to be taken before reading the book as a diagnostic and another to be taken at the end as a comparison The writing and speaking portions of the test are self graded to help test takers grasp the criteria that will be used to evaluate their work The Prep Guide is sold online for about 27USD 16 An edition for the Chinese market was published by Beijing Foreign Studies University based Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press in 2016 and retails for 88 17 External links EditOfficial iTEP site Official iTEP Preparation Guide on Amazon Video about iTEPReferences Edit a b Gobierno entregara certificados gratuitos de ingles a 10 mil personas El Tiempo 16 June 2010 Retrieved 31 August 2012 Mandatory Catalog Copy PDF California State University Archived from the original PDF on 21 May 2019 Retrieved 31 August 2012 Cal Poly English Language Institute California State Polytechnic University Archived from the original on 28 October 2012 Retrieved 4 September 2012 a b Programs amp Activities Current United States Mexico Chamber of Commerce Archived from the original on 18 June 2012 Retrieved 31 August 2012 How To Read LIQAAT Assessment Report Government of Saudi Arabia Archived from the original PDF on 12 March 2016 Retrieved 31 August 2012 Linda Yeung 2 February 2015 International Test of English Proficiency offers low cost tests over the internet scmp com South China Morning Post Retrieved 11 February 2015 Baker Amy 14 Dec 2017 iTEP English exams scale up in China The PIE News Retrieved 4 May 2018 iTEP SLATE Trademarkia Retrieved 31 August 2012 Ashwill Mark A iTEP Arrives in Vietnam International Educator Archived from the original on 16 March 2013 Retrieved 31 August 2012 Thomas Daniel iTEP SLATE exam climbs 300 USA Professionals in International Education Retrieved 28 June 2013 International Test of English Proficiency iTEP Cleveland State University Archived from the original on 14 November 2012 Retrieved 4 September 2012 Introducing iTEP Conversation YouTube Retrieved 23 November 2016 iTEP Hospitality Exam Tests English Proficiency qsrmagazine com QSR Magazine Retrieved 7 January 2015 New Exams iTEP AuPair iTEP Intern Boston Educational Services Retrieved 27 January 2016 Score Equivalencies iTEP TOEFL IELTS PDF FHI 360 Archived from the original PDF on 16 May 2011 Retrieved 31 August 2012 Official guide for iTEP test launched Study Travel Magazine 239 September 2014 15 September 2014 Retrieved 7 January 2015 https detail tmall com item htm id 541395551181 amp toSite main Retrieved 23 November 2016 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a Missing or empty title help Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title International Test of English Proficiency amp oldid 1137039972, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
