English Language Assessment

English Placement Test

All international graduate and undergraduate students whose TOEFL score is below 600 are required to take the English Proficiency Exam when they get to Pratt. According to the results, students will either be placed in an IEP class or will be considered "exempt." (see Who can be waived from taking the Pratt English Language Proficiency Exam? below).

The exam tests students’ reading, writing, listening and speaking abilities, and is about 2.5 hours in duration.

At the end of each academic semester, all IEP students are retested, evaluated, and placed with regard to their English language proficiency.

End-Term English Language Assessment for International Students

The end-term assessment consists of three parts: a portfolio that includes samples of the student’s best work from the semester in reading, writing, speaking and listening; a presentation of the portfolio; and a writing exam. Based on the evaluation of these – as well as on attendance and classroom participation throughout the semester – students will be assigned one of the following grades:

• P: Students who are assessed exempt at term end are assigned a grade of P. Exempted students drop the pre-registered IEP course in lieu of adding another Institute course to their schedules.
• IP: Students who are assessed as continuing at term end are assigned a grade of IP. These students either remain at their former IEP level or change to a higher level, as determined by the course instructor. Registration changes can be requested in 420 DeKalb Hall once a Level of Proficiency Sheet has been submitted to the Intensive English Program’s offices by the instructor.
• Fail: Students who (1) disappear from the attendance rolls of a section, (2) fail to take the final writing examination, and/or (3) fail to complete and present an acceptable portfolio receive an F grade for the course. Without acceptable medical or other documentation, there are no exceptions to this policy.

In addition, the Intensive English Program follows these procedures in regard to assessment of students in the program:

• Students who have been enrolled in three or more IEP sections following admission to the Institute will be placed on academic probation until which time their English language requirement has been met.
• Students who do not exempt from the IEP after 4 semesters in the program may voluntarily withdraw from the Institute. Alternately, students may join the full-time Certificate of English Proficiency (CEP) program, until which time their English language requirement has been met.

 

Waivers will be granted to students who:

• are citizens of countries where English is a national language;
• have submitted a TOEFL score equal to or higher than 600 PBT or 100 iBT
• have submitted a combined IELTS score of 7.5 or higher
• have graduated from a four-year college or university degree program in the US or other English speaking country within the last 12 months with grades of B or better in Liberal Arts courses;
• have a score of 4 or above on the AP English exam;
• are participants in the Fulbright or Humphries scholars programs; or
• have an International Baccalaureate diploma and who have received a 5 or better on the English A1 higher level exam.

Exam waivers will automatically be given to students with TOEFL scores above 600 and those who come from countries where English is an official language. Students who have graduated from a four year degree program or a graduate program in the US within the last twelve months may submit their transcripts directly to the Intensive English program and may be issued a waiver upon review.

Please note: TOEFL waivers for the admissions process does not automatically waive the English Placement Exam requirement.  Students who have taken the SAT in lieu of the TOEFL for admission are required to take the English Placement Exam unless they meet one of the waiver criteria listed above.