Placement & Proficiency
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please contact:

Placement and Proficiency
Room 247 Armory
(217) 244-4437
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English as a Second Language Placement

Cutoff Scores and Placement Messages for 2016-2017

Placement into the ESL courses is based on results from both parts of the ESL Placement Test (EPT). Cutoff scores and placement messages are derived in collaboration with the Linguistics Department and are reviewed annually. The policies below apply to all students entering Illinois in Summer 2016 or Fall 2016.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions determines whether an incoming student must take the EPT or not. If the test is not required, a student may still take the EPT and enroll in ESL courses if he or she wishes to do so. Successful completion of the ESL 111-112 sequence or ESL 115 fulfills the Composition I General Education requirement.

Students whose iBT TOEFL score is lower than 103 are strongly encouraged to take the EPT and enroll in an ESL composition course even if they are not required to take the EPT.

The EPT does not award proficiency credit. Click here to learn more about the test.

Questions? Contact "Placement & Proficiency" staff by emailing pnp@illinois.edu or by calling 217-244-4437 during business hours.


Oral Test Score

Placement Message
1 ESL 110 is required based on the first phase of the EPT oral interview.
2 ESL 110 is required based on both phases of the EPT oral interview.
3 ESL 110 is recommended; May enroll in ESL 110 only if all students scoring 1 and 2 have been accommodated.
4 Exempt from ESL 110 based on both phases of the EPT oral interview; May enroll in ESL 110 only if all students scoring 1, 2, and 3 have been accommodated.
5 Exempt from ESL 110 based on the first phase of the EPT oral interview; May enroll in ESL 110 only if all students scoring 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been accommodated.

Written Test Score

Placement Message
1 Must enroll in ESL 111 for Fall 2016; Supplemental tutoring is strongly recommended. Successful completion of the ESL 111-112 sequence fulfills the Composition I requirement.
2 Must enroll in ESL 111 for Fall 2016; Successful completion of the ESL 111-112 sequence fulfills the Composition I requirement.
3 Must enroll in ESL 111 for Fall 2016; Successful completion of the ESL 111-112 sequence fulfills the Composition I requirement.
4 Placed into ESL 115; Must enroll in Fall 2016 if your UIN ends in an even number; Must enroll in Spring 2017 if your UIN ends in an odd number; Successful completion fulfills the Composition I requirement.