Oxford Test of English

Endorsed by the University of Oxford and developed by Oxford University Press, our English language proficiency tests – the Oxford Test of English, Oxford Test of English Advanced and Oxford Test of English for Schools - join OUP’s renowned learning resources empowering English language learners across the world. You can trust our fair, valid, and reliable tests of English proficiency which have undergone years of research, rigor, and quality assurance to ensure they meet the highest standards in English language assessment.

Tailored to different age groups, the Oxford Test of English and Oxford Test of English Advanced each test all four skills with content relevant for learners aged 16 and above. The Oxford Test of English for Schools assesses proficiency of the four skills for learners aged between 12-16. All tests harness adaptive technology for speed and accuracy, offering fast results. They’re 100% online, flexible, and available all year round at Approved Test Centres worldwide.

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Why choose the Oxford Test of English?

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How the Oxford Test of English tests were developed

Our team of education, language, and assessment experts at Oxford University Press designed and developed the Oxford Test of English proficiency tests over several years, taking great care at each stage to ensure reliability, accuracy, alignment to the CEFR and quality.

This alignment with international standards leads to robust quality assurance processes, including trialing test questions with various language groups to ensure the questions are fair, valid, and reliable. Our processes are also audited by the University of Oxford to ensure they meet the highest standards in educational measurement.

Read the Oxford Test of English (PDF, 382KB) and Oxford Test of English Advanced (PDF, 4.69) test specifications for a detailed description of the development process.

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Security in test design, delivery, and administration is our priority

• Unlike many alternative proficiency tests, we do not use remote proctoring. Our tests are taken under exam conditions, invigilated by trained invigilators, at one of our global Approved Test Centres. Both test takers and institutions can be confident in the security and validity of the results.
• The test design ensures test takers receive different combinations of test questions. This reduces the chances of malpractice and increases confidence in the results.
• All of our Approved Test Centres are also vetted and independently inspected to ensure they comply with the necessary security procedures, as detailed in the Test Centre Handbook.
• The Listening and Reading modules are adaptive – the test adjusts according to the test taker’s responses – providing more precise test results than traditional, non-adaptive tests. These modules are auto-marked, allowing for speed, flexibility and same-day results.
• The Speaking and Writing modules are marked by trained human assessors and use task randomization, making each test an individualized experience.
• The tests are taken in a lockdown browser so that test takers cannot access the internet or other applications. Test takers are also seated apart to avoid collusion. Additionally, regular data analysis is carried out to monitor for malpractice.

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Results and certification

With the Oxford Test of English, Oxford Test of English for Schools and Oxford Test of English Advanced, your overall level of English is certified by the University of Oxford. Test takers receive same-day results for Reading and Listening, then Speaking and Writing results are typically received within 5 working days. Sign in to your account to see your results and print out your certificate.

Please note, your Oxford Test of English Advanced Certificate shows your best results for your Oxford Test of English Advanced modules only. Results from any Oxford Test of English or Oxford Test of English for Schools tests that you have taken are shown on a separate Oxford Test of English Certificate of Proficiency.

Organizations and institutions

Organizations and institutions are also able to independently verify the results.

Report cards and certificates

Module Report Card

For each module, test takers will receive a Module Report Card. This report card includes:

• A CEFR level for the module
• A standardized score for the module

Certificate of Proficiency

When a test taker has taken all four modules, they receive a Certificate of Proficiency certified by the University of Oxford. The certificate includes:

• A CEFR level for each module
• A standardized score for each module
• An overall CEFR level
• An overall standardized score (the standardized score is the average of the scores for the four modules)

The Oxford Test of English and Oxford Test of English for Schools certify at A2, B1, and B2 levels.

The Oxford Test of English Advanced certifies at B2 and C1.

Test takers who do not achieve a certified CEFR level receive an indicative ‘Below’ level.

The table below shows the standardised scores, CEFR levels and indicative ‘Below’ levels.

Oxford Test of English Scale	Oxford Test of English and Oxford Test of English for Schools	Oxford Test of English Advanced
141–170		C1
111–140	B2	B2
81–110	B1	Below B2
51–80	A2
21–50	Below A2
0–20

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A letter from the University of Oxford

The following letter marks the University’s endorsement and certification of the Oxford Test of English suite of proficiency tests.

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