Online ESL Placement Test Directions

This placement test is designed to measure your English language ability. There are four different kinds of problems: listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. There are 120 problems: 30 listening, 30 grammar, 30 vocabulary, and 30 reading comprehension. You will have 75 minutes to complete this test.

Please carefully read the directions for each kind of problem before beginning the test.

Listening Comprehension

For each listening problem, there will be a short sound clip. You will need to make sure the sound on your computer is turned on and the volume is turned up so that you can hear the sound clip. You will be able to press play and hear the sound clip on the test page. If a sound clip does not work, there will also be a link to each sound clip that you can click, so you do not need to stop the test.

In each sound clip, you will hear either a question or a statement. To show that you have understood what was said, you should then choose the ONE answer choice that is correct.

Here is an example of the question type of problem. Listen carefully to the question, then choose the ONE answer choice that is the best answer.


Press play to listen to the question. Example 1 is also available here: https://soundcloud.com/esl-placement-test/example-question-1/s-91OvS

Example 1:

Ο I am.
Ο Tomorrow.
Ο To Detroit.

The correct answer is the second choice, “Tomorrow”.

Now here is an example of the statement type of problem. Listen to the statement and then choose the ONE phrase or sentence that is the best answer.


Press play to listen to the question. Example 2 is also available here: https://soundcloud.com/esl-placement-test/example-question-2/s-CE9U9

Example 2:

Ο Only John went.
Ο Only Mary went.
Ο They both went.

“John and Mary went to the store,” means they both went. The third choice, “They both went,” is the correct answer.

Grammar

In each grammar problem, there is a short conversation between two people. The conversation is not complete. You should look at the answer choices which follow the conversation, and choose the one answer that correctly completes the conversation.

Example:

“What’s your name?”

“ ____ name is John.”

Ο His
Ο Me
Ο My
Ο Mine

The correct answer is the third choice, “My.” You should click the circle next to your answer choice for each grammar question. When you have selected an answer choice, you must click the “Next” button in the right corner to go to the next question.

Vocabulary

In each vocabulary problem, there is a sentence with a word missing. From the answer choices following the sentence, you should choose the ONE word that best fits into the sentence and makes it meaningful.

Example:

I can’t ____ you his name, because I don’t know it.

Ο talk
Ο say
Ο speak
Ο tell

The correct answer is the fourth choice, “tell.” You should click the circle next to your answer choice for each vocabulary question. When you have selected an answer choice, you must click the “Next” button in the right corner to go to the next question.

Reading Comprehension

In each reading comprehension problem, you will read a sentence and then answer a question about it. Choose the ONE best answer to the question, using the information in the sentence you have just read.

Example:

John drove me to Mary’s house.

Who drove?

Ο I did.
Ο John did.
Ο John and I did.
Ο Mary did.

The correct answer is the second choice, “John did.” You should click the circle next to your answer choice for each reading comprehension question. When you have selected an answer choice, you must click the “Next” button in the right corner to go to the next question.

You must complete every question before marking the test as finished. If you are not sure of an answer, make a guess. Your test results will be emailed to an instructor for review.

When you are ready, click the “Start Quiz” button below.