EAP Placement Exam

EAP Testing

University policy requires that most international students take the EAP placement test before registering for classes even if the TOEFL test has been taken. Your letter of admission from the Office of Recruitment and Admissions will indicate if you are required to take this test.

Because this test is used to accurately determine your English language skill level, you do not need to "prepare" for it. The scores are used to assign EAP classes that best meet your academic needs and provide you with favorable English experiences necessary for a successful career at IU Columbus.

If you are a graduate student for whom English is not your native language, university policy also requires that you take the EAP placement test before the start of your first semester on campus. Based on the results of the EAP test, you may be required to take supplemental English courses.

Academic Advising Guide

Test Information

The EAP test is a computer-adaptive test, along with an essay, to confirm your English language proficiency. The ACT/Compass ESL Placement Test consists of three parts: grammar/usage, reading, and listening. This test is a placement test; there are no texts that can be studied to improve your score.

  1. ACT/Compass ESL Grammar/Usage test: This test assesses your ability to recognize and manipulate the grammatical structures and elements of Standard American English.
  2. ACT/Compass ESL Reading test: This test assesses your ability to read a variety of reading passages and understand both explicitly stated and inferred ideas.
  3. ACT/Compass ESL Listening test: This test assesses your ability to understand spoken English, including short academic-style lectures.
  4. Written Essay: This test assess your ability to write on a specific topic in a limited period. The topic allows you to use your personal experience and observations to complete the essay; no outside source information or specific knowledge in a certain area is required.

There is no time limit on the ACT/Compass ESL sections of the test, but most people take about 2 to 2.5 hours to complete this test.

Exam Fee

A fee of $50 must be paid to take the EAP test. Please submit payment to IU Columbus' Office of the Bursar prior to your exam date/time. Cash or checks are accepted Monday-Friday during normal business hours. Please bring your payment receipt to your exam and show it to the testing assistant as proof of payment.