iTEP Test Complete Guide

In this article, you will learn what the iTEP English Exam is, the exam format, how it’s scoring, and information on exam dates and locations.

What is iTEP?

The International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP), founded in 2002, is an English language assessment exam that measures the language proficiency of non-native English speakers. 

It helps those individuals who want to pursue their education internationally or those who wish to study in an institution where English as a second language is required. The iTEP also caters to businesses and industries that require an English proficiency certification.

The iTEP exam is highly recognized by Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute (ACEI). In addition, the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) accepted it as an international English proficiency exam. 

How Much Does the iTEP Cost?

iTEP Exam Duration

The iTEP Exam duration is approximately 90 minutes, and while some iTEP Exam only lasts for 30 minutes, it all depends on what type of iTEP exam you are taking. You can take the iTEP exam anytime you like, and this is because they offer on-demand scheduling for the test. 

You can register for the exam by visiting the official iTEP website. Unfortunately, the iTEP testing centers are closed temporarily in those highly infected areas due to the pandemic. 

In line with this, the iTEP offers At-Home Testing using their virtual proctoring process called Fotosure. They require you to have an activated webcam at home. After registering for the test you like to take, you can pay directly by debit or credit card. 

Why Take The ITEP?

More individuals choose iTEP because it is convenient, practical, and you can receive your results in just 24 hours. In addition, they have on-demand scheduling for the iTEP test available at any of the certified testing centers near you. 

The whole iTEP test only lasts for 90 minutes, more or less. So it is unlike any other English proficiency test that takes hours for you to finish. 

iTEP is a comprehensive English proficiency test carefully researched to lessen the anxiety and stress of individuals while taking a test. The good thing about the iTEP is that it does not consume a lot of your time and still gives you credible test results. 

Where is iTEP Accepted?

The iTEP test is widely accepted by more than 800 middle and high schools, universities, colleges located in the USA and Canada alone. 

There are far more countries worldwide that accept the iTEP for English proficiency certification. 

It is also accepted and used by government offices in different countries, including India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, etc. 

In addition, there are over 500 certified iTEP testing centers in 61 countries over the world. Below are some universities, colleges, high schools, and middle schools in different countries recognized iTEP. Various international companies fully accept the iTEP include Subaru, IBM, Adidas, Pzifer, Microsoft, etc. 

iTEP Test Exam Format

All the iTEP Tests are designed to assess the English skills and provide an efficient and reliable English proficiency level certificate. 

A couple of iTEP Tests are discussed in this section, and all these tests have the same content when it comes to their test structures. They only differ on their purpose and their target clients.

Read on to find out more about these different iTEP Tests. 

The three iTEP Exams for academic applications include iTEP Academic, iTEP SLATE, and iTEP Placement. Below are the details for each iTEP Exams. 

1. iTEP Academic

The iTEP Academic main goal is to evaluate the English language proficiency of students. In addition, the exam is usually used for school admissions, monitoring the development of students when it comes to their English program performance.

It is also used to assess the English teachers’ proficiency in the language and helps in determining the eligibility of applicants for scholarships and other academic grants. 

The iTEP Academic exam can be administered via the internet at any certified iTEP Testing Centers. In addition, the iTEP Academic Core has a paper-based format wherein you can take it also in their official testing locations. 

There are two versions of iTEP Academic.

i) iTEP Academic – Core

This version of the iTEP Academic focuses on assessing listening, reading, and grammar skills. The duration of this test is about 50 minutes, with a 10-minute preparation time. 

ii) iTEP Academic – Plus

The iTEP Academic – Plus focuses on the three major iTEP Academic – Core skills: listening, reading, and grammar. It also includes writing and speaking skills. The duration of this test is about 80 minutes, with a 10-minute preparation time. 

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2. iTEP SLATE

The iTEP SLATE stands for iTEP Secondary Level Assessment Test of English. It is a  multifaceted, user-friendly, and most comprehensive English proficiency test that assesses core English skills. It is intended for high schools, middle schools, and academies. 

It is also efficient and convenient for most students because it has on-demand scheduling accessible at any certified testing centers of the iTEP SLATE. 

It helps in monitoring the language progress and assesses the proficiency level in English of those incoming students. And also, the iTEP SLATE helps with the assessment of those students taking ESL courses, and also it helps check the language development of students that takes English programs.

The iTEP SLATE also helps in determining the eligibility of students that are applying for exchange programs. You can receive your iTEP SLATE test results 24 hours after taking the test. A team of ESL professionals evaluates and vouch for each test result to prove its authenticity and validity.  There are two  Forms of the iTEP SLATE.

i) iTEP SLATE – Plus

The iTEP SLATE – PLUS is highly recommended and widely used among educational institutions. It covers grammar, listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 

The whole test duration takes about 90 minutes, with a 10 minute time to prepare for the test. The iTEP SLATE Plus can be taken online at any official iTEP Test Centers near you. 

ii) iTEP SLATE – Core

The iTEP Core assesses three English skills, which include grammar, listening, and reading. In addition, this exam can be used for internal assessments. 

The whole test duration for this test takes about 60 minutes which includes a 10 minute preparation time. The test results for the iTEP Core are available immediately. 

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3. iTEP Placement

The iTEP Placement test is suited for the Intensive English Program (IEP) and Incoming Student Placement Assessment. It also evaluates these English skills, including grammar, listening, writing, and reading. 

It also helps in the fast turnaround of placement testing used in different English programs in educational institutions. The iTEP Placement is widely used in educational institutions in the US, Mexico, and Canada. 

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7 iTEP Exams for Business Applications

These five iTEP Exams for Business Applications are perfect for corporations and other private sectors. The iTEP also offers a business and career test for professionals other than their iTEP SLATE, suited for secondary education. 

Below are the seven iTEP Business Exams.

1. iTEP Business

The iTEP Business offers an online English language assessment for corporations and other private institutions. It helps the companies assess their applicant’s English proficiency which is required for the job. 

iTEP Business test structure has two forms: the iTEP Business-Plus that tests the different English skills like grammar, writing, listening, reading, and speaking. The duration of this test is about 90 minutes, including a 10-minute preparation time. 

The other form is the iTEP Business Core, which assesses the three English skills: listening, grammar, and reading. The duration of this test is about 60 minutes which includes a 10-minute preparation. 

One can take the iTEP Business online on any available computer, either at the office or at home. The applicant can also be referred to any available iTEP Testing Centers in the area. 

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2. iTEP Conversation

The iTEP Conversation is only a 30-minute speaking assessment. The interview questions in this exam fall in the category of A1 to B2 CEFR difficulty level. 

All of the questions in this exam are free-response which means you can elaborately answer the questions asked. It follows the general patterns of everyday conversations that one may encounter in an industry setting. 

This test is usually administered in companies and any other agencies that use the iTEP Conversation test. 

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 3. iTEP Hospitality

The iTEP Hospitality is made to cater to the hospitality and tourism industries, including cruise lines, hotels, restaurants, airlines, resorts, and other businesses. The exam is graded within 24 hours after you take it. 

There are only two sections for this test that assess one’s speaking and listening skills. It only lasts for 30 minutes, and it can be administered in the office setting. 

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4. iTEP Au Pair

The Au Pair requires the English proficiency level of their candidates. The iTEP Au Pair is the official English assessment tool agencies use to help their J1-visa  evaluation procedure. And also, it is the only English assessment test for au pairs. 

It assesses the two English skills, speaking and listening. You can take the iTEP Au Pair online at any official Au Pair offices or agencies available in your area. The duration of this test is about 30 minutes, and you can receive the results after 24 hours. 

These skills are the primarily English skills needed by au pairs. If you get a high score on this test, it clearly shows your excellent capabilities in communicating in an English-speaking environment. 

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5. iTEP Aviation

The iTEP Aviation is the only English language proficiency test made for the aviation industry. It is an effective tool in assessing the active employees’ and applicants’ proficiency levels. It evaluates five English skills like speaking, reading, writing, listening, and grammar. 

For example, it helps evaluate the pilot’s understanding of the flight plans, establish tower communication, give instructions, and the likes. 

The test runs for 90 minutes, including a 10-minute preparation period. It can also be administered online through computers in offices or even on home computers. You can receive the test results after 24 hours. 

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6. iTEP Intern

It assesses one’s speaking and listening skills suited to a workplace setting. The iTEP Intern is an English assessment tool used by companies and private institutions to evaluate their intern’s communication skills. 

The iTEP Intern is specially designed to evaluate one’s abilities in performing communication-related tasks in the workplace.  It includes answering phone calls, receiving instructions, taking minutes of the meeting, and the likes. 

The exam can be administered on a computer in the offices. The iTEP Intern only takes about 30 minutes, and the scores are available after 24 hours. 

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7. iTEP ESCP (Education Specialist Credential Program)

The iTEP ESCP is specially made for those undergraduate students taking up Liberal Studies iTEP. It helps the students to acquire Multiple Subject teaching credentials and an Education Specialist credential. 

Once you have an iTEP ESCP credential, you are now eligible to teach general education and special education when you complete your Bachelor’s Degree program in Liberal Studies.

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iTEP Scoring

The iTEP determines the individual’s overall English proficiency from level 0 (Beginner) to level 6 (Advanced). Also, it uses these seven proficiency levels to evaluate English skills, including grammar, reading, listening, writing and speaking. 

The iTEP software is responsible for scoring the grammar, listening, and reading parts of the test. At the same time, the writing and speaking parts of the iTEP exam are evaluated by ESL professionals.  

Also, there is no deduction on those items incorrectly answered in the multiple-choice type of questions.  The iTEP test scores are valid for two years after taking the test.

iTEP Test Preparation Tips

If you dread taking the iTEP exam, we are here to help you ease your anxiety and ace the test instead. But, of course, you can easily pass this one just like any other test you have taken before. 

All you need to do is to be prepared for it. We have here some tips to help you prepare for the iTEP Test. 

1. Create a List of Practice Test Materials

The first thing you should list the practice test materials you think you need for your review. There are other practice tests materials available in the market that you can get your hands on. Creating a list of these materials is essential before you start reviewing for the test.  

Then, after listing, acquire the ones that you think you need for the preparation or review. You can freely choose from the free practice courses or materials offered online, or if you want to purchase a practice textbook, you can do so. 

iTEP offers two practice tests for you. One is the preview test for free, wherein you can take a single free version of the iTEP test. It also helps you get a glimpse of what the iTEP test structure looks like and how it flows. Also, this iTEP practice test is not graded. 

The other is a subject practice test wherein you can choose what version of the test you like to take. For example, you can either choose a high school, college, or business version. In addition, you can receive a score report for this iTEP practice test. You can access this subject’s iTEP practice test by purchasing it for $13. 

They also offer two practice books, including a preparation guide book and their latest practice guide where you can take active exercises, an overview of the question samples, and more. 

The Official iTEP Preparation Guide costs $29.95 for the Kindle version, and for the paperback, it costs around $14.25 to $36.99. And for the iTEP Practice Guide costs $26.99. They also offer an iPrep Academic Plus Self-Paced Course for $59.00. 

2. Learn the Test Structure

Aside from gathering the materials you need for your review. You also need to know the test structure of the exam you are about to take. It will help you understand what type of questions it uses, what approach they use in the test, and the likes. 

By this, you can set your study plan accordingly. Integrate the test structure on how you will study for the test. It is best to anchor your study plan to the test structure of the test.

This way, you will learn how the test goes while doing your practice test and studying regularly. You can now easily adjust to its structure, and most importantly, you will get used to it. Thus, mastering the exam in the long run. 

3. Pinpoint Your Weak Points in the English Language

The weaknesses you have are not a hindrance for you to ace the test. It will be your starting point. Focus on these weak points and do more practice tests that will help you improve them. 

For example, if you are weak in the reading area, then you need to read more. Go on, improve your reading comprehension, expose yourself to various reading materials such as newspapers, journals, books, and more. Look for more opportunities where you can improve this skill. 

4. Challenge Yourself

Sometimes laziness will hit you hard, especially when you are not in the mood to study. To conquer this, motivate and challenge yourself. Remind yourself again why you are doing this, keep your eye on your goal, and how you will achieve it. 

But also remember, do not be too hard on yourself. You are only human, and you tend to fail. And if you are failing your expectations, it is okay. For example, you could not get the score you wanted in the practice test you are doing. So then don’t worry about it too much. 

You can always try again next time. That is why you are practicing in the first place, right? So keep in mind that practice makes perfect. And all the hard work you are doing is going to pay off. 

5. Believe in Yourself

Nothing compares if you have the confidence that you can do anything that you set your mind to. Believe in your capabilities and skills, and have the passion for achieving and acing that test. 

Keep in mind that all your hard work in reviewing will go to waste if you doubt yourself. So do not linger too much on your liabilities. Instead, focus on the things that will help you in the long run. 

The test is there to prove your level of proficiency. I know you already know where you stand on that, so keep going. Review and improve all the skills you have that need improvement. And always feed your mind with positivity. You can certainly do this!