English Proficiency Test

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For students who are not native speakers of English.

What is the English Proficiency Test?

The English Proficiency Test (EPT) is a set of tests designed to measure the listening, grammar, and reading skills of people who are not native speakers of English. The Listening test has two parts. Part one is a multiple-choice test in response to audio-taped questions. Part two is an 18-minute lecture followed by a series of questions. The grammar and reading tests are multiple-choice.

In addition, entering students must take the Writing Placement Examination. Detailed information about that examination is posted on the Web at www.uhh.hawaii.edu/academics/wpe.

Who Takes the English Proficiency Test?

You should take the test if you are a non-native speaker of English entering UH Hilo for the first time.

What is the Purpose of the Test?

The test is the University's way of placing you into the ESL courses that will best prepare you to succeed in university studies. On the basis of test results, you will be assigned to one or more courses taught by the UH Hilo English Language Institute (ELI).

ESL 061 Listening & Speaking in English
ESL 062 Essentials of English Grammar
ESL 063 Basics of Reading in English
ESL 071 Basic Communication Skills
ESL 072 Basics of English Grammar
ESL 073 English Reading Skills
ESL 081 Academic Communication
ESL 082 Intermediate English Grammar
ESL 083 Introduction to Academic Reading

Students are placed in the writing courses ESL 064, ESL 074, ESL 084, or ESL 100 on the basis of their performance in the Writing Placement Exam.

Who Does Not Take the English Proficiency Test?

Waivers will be granted to students who:

have received a score of 600 or better on the paper-based TOEFL,a score of 100 on the internet-based TOEFL,or a score of 250 or better on the computer-based TOEFL.
have received a score of 460 or better on the verbal section of the GRE
have received a score of 540 or better on the verbal section of the SAT
have an Associate of Arts degree from a community college within the University of Hawai`i system
have obtained the equivalent of 60 transferable semester credits with a GPA of 2.0 or better from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States
have completed 6 years of full-time schooling with English as the medium of instruction at a middle school, high school, college, or university in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States. Documentation of all six years is required.

Test Date, Time and Place:

English Proficiency Test: Monday, August 18; 1:30pm; UCB 100.

On the Day of the English Proficiency Test:

Make sure you arrive at the test location on time.
Bring two pencils, an eraser, a photo ID, and UH ID number.
Do not bring any reference materials such as paper or electronic dictionaries.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the English Proficiency Test, please contact Pamala Collins, English Language Institute Director. Telephone: 808-933-8855 E-mail: pamalac@hawaii.edu

Note: If you will need disability accommodations to take the test, please contact the ELI Director two weeks in advance of the test.

Please Register for the Test Now.

You may register online or via a mail-in registration form. If you choose to use the mail-in form, please complete it and mail to:

Pamala Collins, ELI Director
University of Hawai`i at Hilo,
College of Continuing Education and Community Services
200 West Kawili St.,
Hilo, HI 96720-4091, USA