IEERA: International English Education Research Association

Certification > International Spoken English Proficiency Test

International Spoken English Proficency Test

Overview

What is the International Spoken English Proficiency Test?
The ISEPT is recognized worldwide as English language test that measures the ability
of non-native speakers of English to communicate orally in English in an academic or
professional environment. The ISEPT can improve your career opportunities by
standardized testing employers can use to evaluate your English proficiency and
interpretation ability. The test is used for employment, graduate assistantships,
licensure, and certification purposes.

The test is conducted through a face-to-face interview. The questions are asked by an
IEERA Test Examiner. The IEERA Test Examiner will create a dialogue on which you will
be graded.

Who takes ISEPT?

If you are a student or working professional with English as your second language, you
may be asked to take the test to demonstrate how well you can speak in English.

How do candidates sign up to take the ISEPT?

The ISEPT is currently being offered online or at locations worldwide through IEERA Authorized
Certification Centers(IEERA ACCs). ISEPT requires pre-registration online or through
the IEERA ACCs. IEERA ACCs often publish bulletins that provide information about test
dates, registration procedures, and preparing for the test.

Who accepts ISEPT?

Academic institutions, corporations, government agencies, health care systems, and
other organizations use your score on the ISEPT to guide their decisions regarding
graduate assistantships in teaching and research, employment, and licensing and
certification.

What are the ISEPT Test's levels?

There are three levels of ISEPT linked to the upper three levels of the Common European
Framework. Tests for each level must be taken in order, one through three (1-3), starting
with level one. The level 2 and the level 3 are recognised by many English speaking
companies as evidence of language proficiency for entry purposes.

ISEPT levels	City & Guilds levels	Pitman levels	Common European Framework levels
	Preliminary	Basic	A1 Breakthrough
	Access	Elementary	A2 Waystage
	Achiever		B1 Threshold
Level 1	Communicator	Intermediate	B2 Vantage
Level 1	Expert	Higher Intermediate	C1 EOP
Level 1	Mastery	Advanced	C2 Mastery

The levels chart below shows the three levels of the ISEPT and the duration of each test:

Levels chart
Test	Equivalent to:	Duration
Level 1	B2	10 minutes
Level 2	C1	12 minutes
Level 3	C2	15 minutes

Descriptions of competence at each level:

ISEPT Qualifications	Descriptor
Level 1	l Can understand the main ideas of complex communication on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. l Can communicate with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes interaction quite possible without strain for either party. l Can adapt to take account of the listener(s), the context and the medium. l Can engage in discussion in familiar and unfamiliar situations making clear and relevant contributions. l Can obtain information from different sources. l Can communicate clearly and in detail on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options, varying length, format and style appropriate to purpose and audience.
Level 2	l Can understand a wide range of demanding longer texts, both written and spoken, and recognize implicit meaning. l Can use the language fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. l Can respond to extended information and narratives, follow detailed explanations and complex instructions, adapting response to audience, medium and context. l Can engage in discussion in a variety of situations making clear and effective contributions. l Can use language flexibly and understand a range of texts of varying complexity and length for social, academic and professional purposes. l Can produce clear well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. l Can communicate ideas and opinions effectively, using length, format and style appropriate to purpose, content and audience.
Level 3	l Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. l Can summarize information from different spoken or written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. l Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

What is the ISEPT Test's format?

ISEPT is an oral test consisting of a one-to-one interview conducted by a Certified Test Examiner who is a trained rater appointed by the IEERA. The examiner must be a suitably qualified and experienced teacher of English. While taking the test, candidates respond to a variety of questions, present information, and speak extemporaneously on a range of topics.

The responses are recorded. Then the tapes are sent to IEERA for detailed assessment by trained raters including the Test Examiner who interviews candidates. The responses are evaluated by at least two trained raters to determine candidates’ overall test score. A score of 50 or higher is required for certification of each level.

How can candidates prepare for the ISEPT?

candidates can prepare by joining the International Spoken English Proficiency Certification Program offered by IEERA ACCs worldwide. A set of course books is available at IEERA ACCs to support the ISEPT, complete with CD-Rom and cassettes.

How soon can a candidate take the ISEPT again if they are not certified?
The test can be taken again after 3 months.

Why take the International Spoken English proficiency Test?

- Tests are on demand
IEERA ACCs are in control of timetabling and can hold tests whenever required. IEERA needs two
weeks’ notice for the USA and Canada and four weeks’ overseas.

- Integrity of total external assessment
IEERA ACCs can be confident of quality and the maintenance of international standards.

- Feedback reports
Unsuccessful candidates automatically receive a short feedback report designed to prepare them to
retake a test.

- Rapid certification
Results and certificates are issued within four weeks.

- Easy to run
    – simple administration
    – assessment is by means of a recorded interview marked by IEERA Certified Examiners
    – does not rely on reading at higher levels.

- Relevance
– task-based questions
– real-world context.

How to Apply
     > General Information about Application
   > Online Application Form
     > Make Payment Online

International English Education Research Association Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Use of this website signifies your agreement to the Terms of Use
All contents copyright © by International English Education Research Association