About the test
UWE Bristol’s English Proficiency Test (EPT) uses the same system and format as the IELTS test, testing all four components; listening, reading, writing and speaking. You will be awarded scores for each component, as well as an overall score. You will have 3 hours 10 minutes to complete the test, but you can submit your test early if you finish before the allocated time. You will not be permitted to take any breaks during the test. We recommend allowing:
The speaking component, if you are eligible, will take 10 minutes and will be held online with a member of our English Language team.
Our EPT can be used as evidence of English language ability for the majority* of courses at UWE Bristol but cannot be used for applications to other universities.
The test is delivered using the Inspera Exam Portal (IEP), the same system used for the IELTS test, and an online invigilator will supervise and be on hand throughout all stages of the test.
Your device must meet the following system requirements to use the IEP:
If your device does not meet these requirements you will not be able to sit the ELT. If your device cannot be updated to meet the requirements, we suggest borrowing the device from a friend or family member. The Inspera Exam Portal will make no permanent changes to the device and can be removed after completion of the test.
Eligibility
Students need to hold a conditional offer to study at UWE Bristol. Please note this test is only available for international offer holders.
Booking a test
If you are eligible to take UWE Bristol’s EPT you can register via this form. Tests will run once a fortnight on a Wednesday, and registration for each test will close two weeks before.
Test Procedure
Register for a test. Once you have registered for a test you will be contacted to attend a test induction. The test induction will take place the week before the test date. You will need to download the Inspera Exam Portal (IEP) software and do a system check before you attend the induction. Please note, you will not be permitted to take the English test until you have completed the induction and checked that you can run the software off your computer.
Take the first three components of the English test (listening, reading, writing). Once you have completed the induction you can take the English test. This will take place the following Wednesday after your induction. You will be sent an invitation to the test with instructions and your username, password and pin code to access the test. Please ensure you read the instructions carefully.
Take the speaking test. If you successfully pass the first three components of the test you can then take the speaking test. This will take place the following week and you will be sent an invite to this test.
Receive your results. Your results certificate will be available in your welcome website within 10 days of you taking the speaking test and we will make your offer unconditional if possible.
Proof of identity
You will need to have valid proof of your identity, such as a passport, on your test day. You must use the same identity document you provided when registering.
Cost
Your first UWE Bristol’s Online EPT is free, but a £50 charge applies for non-attendance and resits. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to make your test.
Practice resources
There are a number of free IELTS preparation sources available online if you wish to practise ahead of your UWE Bristol EPT:
Further information
For further information, please email the International Admissions Office at [email protected] referencing your UWE ID number.
*English requirements will need to be checked against your course for eligibility into our ELT.
Our listening test
Part 1:
You’ll hear a conversation between two people (someone making an appointment or booking something).
Part 2:
One person speaking about a generic topic (someone describing a library’s layout, for example).
Part 3:
A discussion between 2-3 people about an academic topic (an assignment or paper).
Part 4
A lecturer speaking about an academic topic.
The test gets progressively more difficult (part 4 being the most difficult component).
How to prepare for the listening test.
Our reading test
How to prepare for the reading test.
Previewing
Looking at things like the heading and layout of a text to get an idea of what the text is about before starting to read.
Skimming for main ideas
Moving your eyes quickly down the page to find specific words or phrases. This is often used to look for names or numbers.
Intensive reading
Careful study of a text or part of a text. We do this when all the content is important.
Predicting content and structure
Using your knowledge of the topic to guess what the text is going to be about.
Scanning to find key information
Reading a text quite quickly, but we use this reading skill when we want to find a particular fact.
Guessing words from context
Working out the meaning of a word by using the surrounding language and your knowledge of the world.
Reading Tasks
| Task Type | Description |
matching headings | choose which heading best matches a paragraph |
matching information | find which paragraph contains some specific information |
matching sentence endings | choose the best ending to the first half of a sentence |
summary, note-taking, flow chart completion | complete a text, notes or table with information from the text |
diagram labelling | fill in the gaps in a diagram |
multiple choice | choose the best answer |
short answers | answer questions about a text |
sentence completion | use a limited number of words to complete a text |
identifying the writer’s claims or views | decide whether information is true/ false or not given |
Our writing test
60mins
1 essay style question – 250 words minimum.
Types of essay questions:
Our speaking test
You’ll be invited to attend a UWE speaking exam if you have achieved a minimum of 5.5 on the listening, reading and writing components.
The speaking tests are usually scheduled a few days after the written test.
Describe a museum or art gallery that you have visited.
You should say:
- Where it is.
- Why you went there.
- What you remember about the place.
And explain what you saw there.
Your examiner will:
- Begin by asking you questions about yourself (hometown, hobbies, travel experiences, family, etc).
- Give you a prompt card and some time to prepare what you’re going to say. You then have 2mins to speak.
- Proceed to ask you some follow up questions about part 2.
How to prepare for the speaking test.
- hobbies, hometown, travel, family, work/study, health & fitness, etc.
Eligibility
Students need to hold a conditional offer to study at UWE Bristol. Please note this test is only available for international offer holders.
Booking a Test
If you are eligible to take UWE Bristol’s EPT, you can register via this form. Tests will run once a fortnight on a Wednesday, and registration for each test will close two weeks before.
Test Procedure
Register for a test. Once you have registered for a test you will be contacted to attend a test induction. The test induction will take place the week before the test date. You will need to download the Inspera Exam Portal (IEP) software and do a system check before you attend the induction. Please note, you will not be permitted to take the English test until you have completed the induction and checked that you can run the software off your computer.
Take the first three components of the English test (listening, reading, writing). Once you have completed the induction you can take the English test. This will take place the following Wednesday after your induction. You will be sent an invitation to the test with instructions and your username, password and pin code to access the test. Please ensure you read the instructions carefully.
Take the speaking test. If you successfully pass the first three components of the test you can then take the speaking test. This will take place the following week and you will be sent an invite to this test.
Receive your results. Your results certificate will be available in your welcome website within 10 days of you taking the speaking test and we will make your offer unconditional if possible.
Proof of identity
You will need to have valid proof of your identity, such as a passport, on your test day. You must use the same identity document you provided when registering.
Cost
Your first UWE Bristol Online EPT is free, but a £50 charge applies for non-attendance and resits. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to make your test.
Practice Resources
There are a number of free IELTS preparation sources available online if you wish to practise ahead of your UWE Bristol EPT:e and resits. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to make your test.
The assessment criteria
So how are these qualities assessed in the IELTS Writing test? Writing is assessed based on these four criteria:
Task Response / Achievement
Basically, this means how well you carry out the task. Do you cover all the necessary points? Do you include the key information that is required? Do you develop your ideas effectively and support your ideas or opinions with evidence and examples?
Coherence and Cohesion
This looks at how well you order and present the content of your writing task. Is it organised logically? Is it divided into paragraphs correctly? Do you link ideas or information together so the reader can easily follow you?
Lexical Resource
This concerns vocabulary and whether you use a wide enough range of vocabulary, as well as whether you use it correctly and appropriately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
This assesses how wide a range of different structures and sentences you use and how effectively you use them. Do you have a good control of grammar and sentence construction? Are there many errors or only a few occasional ones?
Some common mistakes
Further Information
For further information, please email the International Admissions Office at [email protected] ref