iTEP

PREPARATION
Miss Cinthia De Santiago
 I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO
ITEP.
II. SAMPLE PREPARATION
AGENDA.
III. GENERAL TIPS FOR
IMPROVING ENGLISH
LANGUAGE SKILLS.
IV. GENERAL INFORMATION
V. EXAM LENGHT
VI. EXAM STRUCTURE
VII. DELIVERY METHOD
I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO iTEP
The International Test of English Proficiency, iTEP, is an innovative,
Internet-based English assessment tool developed by Boston Educational
Services. The primary function of iTEP is to assess the English language
proficiency of learners of English as a Second Language. iTEP is used by academic
institutions, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. iTEP
scores are used for admission and placement, student and course progress
assessment, employment and promotion decisions, and eligibility for scholarship
and exchange programs.
II. Sample Preparation Agenda

1) Reviewing the General Structure of the iTEP Exam

2) Taking the Diagnostic Exam
3) Analyzing Diagnostic Exam Results: Scoring and Ability Levels
II. Sample Preparation Agenda

4) Reviewing Practice Exercises, Specific Skills, and Skill Development

a. Reading
b. Listening
c. Grammar
d. Writing
e. Speaking
5) Taking Diagnostic Exam #2 to Assess Progress
6) Final Items to Remember for the Exam Day
III. General Tips for Improving English Language Skills
The following are some ways to improve English language skills outside of the
classroom:
❖ Listen to English language radio
❖ Watch English language TV
❖ Watch English language TV with Closed Captioned English subtitles
❖ Watch English language movies
❖ Read English language newspapers and magazines such as U.S.A. Today,
Time, Newsweek,People, and Discover that use language at an appropriate
level and that provide readers with a wide variety of word choices and
sentence structures
❖ Use the Internet and computer programs in English
III. General Tips for Improving English Language Skills
❖ Visit Internet websites devoted to English language learning. There are many
of these providing help in all areas of language development
❖ Speak English as often as possible, especially with native English speakers.
Online chat groups for English language learners provide peer learning and
support in addition to improving language skills
❖ Make and review vocabulary flashcards of new or difficult English words
❖ Keep an English language journal and/or vocabulary notebook of new words
❖ Think of the English word for common objects and activities during the day,
such as food items, automobiles, books, talking on the telephone, taking the
bus, going to a store, etc.
IV. General Information
The Reading, Listening, and Grammar sections consist of multiple-choice
questions. The Writing and Speaking sections require examinees to produce
actual samples.

Examinees should try to answer all questions to the best of their ability. There is
no penalty for a wrong answer.

Each iTEP section begins with instructions. The questions for Part 1 of each
section are less challenging than questions for Parts 2 and 3.
V. Exam Length

Total exam time for iTEP Academic, iTEP Business, and iTEP SLATE is 60
minutes, plus 10 minutes for exam preparation.
VI. Exam Structure
1. Reading – 20 minutes/2parts
2. Listening – 20 minutes/3 parts
3. Grammar (Structure) – 10 minutes/2 parts
4. Writing – 25 minutes/2 parts
5. Speaking – 5 minutes/2 parts (Only 10th quarter)
Reading – 20 minutes/2parts

Part 1: iTEP: One intermediate-level passage about 250

words in length followed by 4 multiple-choice questions

Part 2: iTEP: One upper-level passage about 450 words in

length followed by 6 multiple-choice questions
Listening – 20 minutes/3 parts
Part 1: Four high-beginning to low-intermediate-level conversations of 2-3
sentences, each followed by 1 multiple-choice question

Part 2: One 2 to 3-minute intermediate-level conversation followed by 4

multiple-choice questions

Part 3: One 4-minute upper-level lecture followed by 6 multiple-choice questions

Grammar (Structure) – 10 minutes/2 parts
Part 1: Low-intermediate to advanced level sentences presented as fill in the
blank, followed by multiple-choice answers

Part 2: Low-intermediate to advanced-level sentences presented as sentence

corrections, followed by multiple-choice answers
Writing – 25 minutes/2 parts
Part 1: Examinee is asked to write a short note,
geared at the low-intermediate level, on a given
topic in response to instructions (5 minutes / 50-75
words)

Part 2: Examinee is presented with a brief,

upper-level written topic and is asked to express
and support an opinion on the topic (20 minutes /
175-225 words).
Speaking – 5 minutes/2 parts
Part 1: Examinee hears and reads a short question geared at
the low-intermediate level.
Examinee has 30 seconds to prepare a spoken response, and
45 seconds to speak.
Part 2: Examinee hears a brief upper-level statement
presenting two sides of an issue. Examinee is then asked to
express his/her thoughts on the topic, with 45 seconds to
prepare, and 60 seconds to speak.
VII. Delivery Method

❖ iTEP exams are delivered via the Internet and must be administered at a
secure location or a Certified iTEP Test Center. (The Diagnostic Exams in this
Prep Guide may be administered in nonsecure conditions.)
❖ Reading, Listening, and Grammar sections: Examinee selects answers from
a set of multiple choice responses for each question.
❖ Writing section: Examinee types written sample directly into a text entry
field using the computer keyboard.
❖ Speaking section: Examinee records sample with a headset/microphone at
the examinee's computer.