About the English Placement Test
The English Placement Test (EPT) is taken by students who are planning to enroll in full- or part-time study at the American Language Program (ALP) only, and who are not enrolled in or planning to enroll in a degree program at Columbia University. The purpose of the test is to place students accurately into one of the ALP's ten levels of English language instruction. This test cannot be used to certify language ability, or for any purpose other than placement into the ALP.
It is an online, multiple-choice exam with items designed to measure ability in the areas of grammar, vocabulary, reading, and listening. There are 124 items on the exam, and it takes about 90 minutes to complete.
When students arrive at Columbia, their speaking and writing skills are further evaluated by their teachers, and if necessary, students' language-level placement will be adjusted.
ALP registrants who also want to register for undergraduate courses will be given access to those courses based on their language level:
- Final score of 10: Students will be allowed to take the academic course(s) of their choice through the School of Continuing Education.
- Final score of 7-9: Students may take one or two subject-area courses in addition to full-or part-time English language courses through the ALP.
- Final score below 7: Students may take ALP English language courses only.
Schedule English Placement Test
Students must apply to the ALP first. Those who are admitted to the ALP are sent an e-mail with a link and secure password so that they can take the English Placement Test from their home country, before arrival in New York. This test may be taken only once.
