ACTFL Test of English Proficiency (TEP)

An English language proficiency assessment that combines ACTFL’s internationally recognized assessments (L&Rcat™, OPIc™, WPT™)

TEP logo header

ACTFL TEP tasks are aligned to the ACTFL Proficiency levels and are rated according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. The ACTFL TEP can be used to demonstrate English language proficiency for university admissions, corporations, and government agencies.

The ACTFL TEP is remotely proctored, on the test taker’s computer, from any suitable location.

What the Test Measures

VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY

ACTFL assessments are respected internationally and used by thousands of academic institutions, government agencies, and private corporations for purposes of academic placement, student assessment, program evaluation, professional certification, hiring, and promotional qualification. The reliability and validity of ACTFL assessments is well documented by many peer-reviewed, third-party studies. ACTFL-certified raters are highly specialized language professionals who have completed a rigorous certification and calibration process that concludes with a rater's demonstrated ability to consistently rate samples with a high degree of reliability.

A selection of published research on ACTFL assessments is available for review here.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

The ACTFL TEP focuses on of the following communication skills as defined by the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines:

  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Speaking
  • Writing

LISTENING AND READING COMPUTER-ADAPTIVE TEST (L&Rcat)

The ACTFL Listening Proficiency and Reading computer-adaptive test (L&Rcat) addresses the interpretive mode of communication, measuring how well the test taker can listen to and read English. The listening section measures how well the test taker can spontaneously understand spoken language, without the ability to re-listen or ask for clarification; the reading section measures how well the test taker can spontaneously read in a language when presented with written texts without access to dictionaries or grammar references. Test takers’ listening and reading abilities on the L&Rcat are rated according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012 – Listening and Reading.

As a computer-adaptive test the L&Rcat adapts to the test taker’s listening and reading abilities; the computer algorithm successively selects questions based on the test taker’s performance on previous questions for the purpose of maximizing the precision of the exam. This additionally makes the test efficient in both time and effort. This test is administered online with a remote proctor.

ORAL PROFICIENCY INTERVIEW – COMPUTER (OPIc)

The Oral Proficiency Interview-Computer (OPIc) is an internet-delivered, proctored test which provides a valid and reliable measure of oral proficiency in English. The computer-delivered assessment emulates the ‘live’ OPI, but questions are delivered through a carefully designed computer program, and via a virtual avatar. Thus, the test can be taken on demand, and at a time convenient to the candidate and remote proctoring schedule.

The goal of the instrument is the same as the OPI: to obtain a ratable sample of speech which can be evaluated on the ACTFL Proficiency Scale in order to assign a rating. The current version of the OPIc assesses the full range of the ACTFL scale, from Novice through Superior. Test takers complete a background survey and self-assessment to generate a specific test form within their range of abilities.

WRITING PROFICIENCY TEST (WPT)

The ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) is a web-based, proctored, standardized test of the global assessment of functional writing ability in a language. The WPT measures how well a person spontaneously writes in a language (without access to revisions and/or editing tools). Writing prompts elicit responses in both Presentational and Interpersonal Modes of communication, depending on the targeted proficiency level. Rating occurs by comparing the test taker’s writing ability to the criteria described in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines for Writing. ACTFL writing tests assess writing proficiency in terms of the ability to write effectively and appropriately for real-life writing purposes.

PROCTORING

The ACTFL TEP is remotely proctored, on the test taker’s computer, from any suitable location.

REPORTING RESULTS

Test takers receive an official ACTFL proficiency rating for each skill (speaking, writing, listening, and reading) according to the ACTFL Rating Scale. Test results and the certificate are delivered in approximately 14 days.

TEST ADMINISTRATION & DELIVERY

Visit Language Testing International, the exclusive licensee of ACTFL, to learn more about:

Test Administration and Delivery

Schedule a Test or Check on Scores

Language Testing International (LTI) is the exclusive provider of ACTFL assessments. LTI scheduled conducts and reports over 700,000 ACTFL assessments each year.

Visit LTI Learn more about test administration and delivery

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