AEP Diagnostic/Placement Examination Test Information Sheet
For University of Washington use ONLY
The AEP Diagnostic/Placement Examination given by the University of Washington's Testing Center is for University of Washington students only. The results will not be sent to any other institution.
| FEE: | The test is FREE the first time it is taken. For additional testing, a fee of $45.00 (cash or check) is due at the time of testing. |
| REGISTRATION: | PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by calling the Office of Educational Assessment at 206-543-1170 or in-person in Schmitz Hall, rm. 440. Register approximately two weeks in advance of the desired test date. Space is limited. |
| SCORES: | Results from the test are mailed to the examinee within two weeks after the test date. |
| ON THE DAY OF THE TEST: | The examinee must bring picture identification, #2 pencils, and know her/his UW student number or social security number. If you arrive without photo identification or after the scheduled test time, you will not be admitted to the examination. No aids are permitted during the test. You may not bring dictionaries, books, scratch paper, calculators, or notebooks with you on the day of the test. |
| RETESTS: | Retests may be taken 60 days after the examinee's most recent test date. All sections of the test are considered when making AEP placement decisions, so it is important for test takers to complete the entire test. |
Test Schedule
| Test Dates | Reporting Times | |
|---|---|---|
| Placement for Fall Quarter 2008 and after will begin in mid-July 2008 | ||
| July 17, 2008 | Thursday | 1:00 p.m. |
| July 30, 2008 | Wednesday | 8:30 a.m. |
| August 15, 2008 | Friday | 1:00 p.m. |
| August 27, 2008 | Wednesday | 8:30 a.m. |
| September 3, 2008 | Wednesday | 8:30 a.m. |
| September 5, 2008 | Friday | 1:00 p.m. |
| September 9, 2008 | Tuesday | 8:30 a.m. |
| September 12, 2008 | Friday | 1:00 p.m. |
| September 17, 2008 | Wednesday | 8:30 a.m. |
To request disability accommodation for testing, please contact the OEA Testing Center at (206) 543-1171 or via email at oeatests@u.washington.edu before registering for the test.
Academic English Program Diagnostic/Placement Test
The purpose of this test is to determine the English proficiency level of UW students who come from non-English speaking backgrounds. If a student's level of proficiency meets the standards required by UW, that student is exempt from taking English language courses. If a student's level of proficiency is below the standard, the test will determine how much and what type of support is required.
Academic Listening Comprehension: maximum 1 hour
The academic listening test consists of a short lecture or extract from a lecture (15-20 minutes) on a topic of general interest. Candidates view the lecture on video and take notes as they listen. After the lecture, candidates complete the test using their notes. The test consists of multiple choice and short answer questions. A total of 50 points is available. A score of 70% is accepted as proof of proficiency and will exempt a student from the requirement to take the Academic Listening Comprehension course (ENGL 104).
Academic Reading and Writing: maximum 2 hours
The reading and writing test consists of three tasks: one reading task and two writing tasks. The first task is a reading passage on a topic of general academic interest. Candidates are required to replace 40 missing words in the text. Some of the missing words are grammatically essential (such as auxiliary verbs or prepositions): some words need to be inferred from context. This task should take about 15 minutes.
The second task requires candidates to write a commentary on data that is presented in graphic form. The data may be a table, a graph or a chart and candidates are expected to summarize and comment on the main features in an appropriate academic style. This task should take about 20 minutes.
The third task requires students to state their opinion on a topic of general interest. This task should take about 30 minutes.
Both writing tasks will be evaluated on the clarity of the information presented, the organization and logical flow of ideas, the use of appropriate vocabulary and the extent to which a candidate shows control of a range of grammatical structures. A score of 70% on the reading task and an average of 7 (out of 9) on the writing tasks will exempt a student from the requirement to take Academic Reading and Writing courses (ENGL 100-103).
Test Preparation
No special preparation is required to be successful on this test but there are many things you can do to increase your confidence and skills. To prepare for the listening test, we recommend you watch lectures on UWTV, for example. Practice taking notes, paying particular attention to the main points of the lecture and how a speaker organizes ideas and concepts. Work with others to compare notes, summarize, and discuss the content.
To prepare for the reading and writing test, we recommend that you read textbooks or magazines on topics of general interest, for example: National Geographic, New Scientist, or Smithsonian Magazine. Observe how graphic information is described and used to support ideas in the passage. Pay attention to the language of data commentary. Practice writing about topics about which you have an opinion and develop your skills at presenting and supporting arguments in writing. Time yourself and try to increase your writing fluency. Ask for feedback from proficient academic English writers.
If you know that your control of grammar is weak, study a grammar book and observe how grammar is used, pay attention to grammar while you read. Build your academic vocabulary by reading, reading, and more reading.