ELI – ASSET test information

The English Language Institute's Academic Study Skills and English Test, or ELI-ASSET, measures the language ability of students who have studied in the intensive English as a second language program at The University of Akron. 

The ELI-ASSET is a test of general English ability for academic purposes. It has three sections: writing, reading, and listening. Each section of the test evaluates your ability to handle essential academic tasks in English. The writing section takes about 1.5 hours to complete. The reading and listening sections take about 2.5 hours to complete. The test is administered to all ELI students during the last week of classes every fall, spring, and summer. Usually, students take the writing sections on one morning and the reading and listening sections on the following day.

ASSET scores are converted into whole numbers: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, with 10 indicating the highest level of proficiency. Each of these numbers represents a range of scores. All three sections of the test count equally in the converted score.

The English Language Institute needs a good indication of its students' ability in English. This is how we determine what level continuing students should move to for the next session in the ELI program. It also helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our program and curriculum.

If you wish to continue taking courses in the ELI, the ELI-ASSET result and your grade point average (GPA) in your ELI courses can tell us what level you should be placed into for the next session.

• The Writing Section

The writing section of the ELI-ASSET gives you a chance to demonstrate your ability to write clearly, thoughtfully, and correctly in English.

You will be given a general topic to write about, one for which you have background knowledge. You CANNOT use a dictionary or any other resources during the writing test.

• The Reading Section

In the reading section, you read passages that are common to the academic setting and answer questions about the content of those passages. The readings come from different sources such as introductory level textbooks and journals. The authors wrote the passages for people with no prior background knowledge about the subject discussed.

You will read three passages of varying length and answer 30 to 35 questions. The time limit for the reading section is 60 minutes.

• The Listening Section

In the listening section, you listen to real university lectures, take notes, and then answer questions about the ideas presented in the lectures. This is a skill that every successful university student must have.

You listen to three lectures of varying length and answer 30 to 45 questions. The time limit for the listening section is between 45 and 55 minutes depending on the length of the lectures and the number of questions asked.

• Before the Test Begins

When you wake up in the morning on test day, immediately turn on the radio or TV so that English begins streaming into your ears. After breakfast, pick up something interesting to read in English so that you activate your "English reading brain." After you read for a little while, write a paragraph or two in English to loosen up your writing hand and to make the connection between your English brain and the end of your pencil!

Prepare what you will bring to the test:

1. Your UA Zip Card with your picture and student number on it. You MUST bring this photo ID.
2. A pencil and an eraser.
3. A highlighter.

Make sure that you arrive at the testing room a few minutes early. Do NOT arrive late. If you come late, you may not be allowed into the room and you will not be able to take the test.

You should not enter the room until one of the test administrators calls your name. The test administrator will give you an assigned seat in the testing room. Once you are seated, place your UA Zip Card on your desk. Turn off your cell phone and any other electronic devices you may have. Place your cell phone and all other belongings under your seat. This would include purses, books, book bags, papers, watches, water... everything! The only things allowed on your desk are your pencil, eraser and highlighter. Put everything under your desk because the test administrators will be walking down the aisles in the testing room throughout the exam.

• While the Test Is In Progress

After everyone is seated, the test administrators will check photo IDs and your student numbers. Be sure your UA Zip Card is on your desk so that the teacher can check it quickly.

A test administrator will give you a test folder with your name and student number on it. This teacher will verify your identity and remove your name from the test folder. You must keep the test folder closed until you are told to open it.

The test administrator will read some instructions to you. One important instruction is that you should NOT write your name on any of the test papers. All of your test materials will be coded by student number, so your name is not needed.

If you write your name on any of the test papers or identify yourself in any other way, your test will not be scored and you will not receive an ELI-ASSET score. Do NOT write your name anywhere on the test.

Another important instruction is that you cannot talk or make noise during the test. If you have a question, you must raise you hand and a test administrator will help you. If you talk to another student during the test in any language, your materials will be collected but not scored. You will be escorted from the testing room and you will not be allowed to finish the test.

Between the reading and listening sections, all of your test materials will be collected and counted, and you will be given a 10-minute break. During this break, you can use the rest room, drink some water, and stretch. You MUST be back at the door of the testing room and ready to begin the listening section at the end of ten minutes. If you arrive back late, you may not be allowed to take the listening test.

• When the Test Ends

At the end of the test, you must remain in your seats until all the test materials have been collected. You cannot move around or talk until the test administrator gives you permission to do so.

The test administrator will give you some final instructions, make some announcements, and dismiss you.

The ELI-ASSET results are reported as whole numbers from 5 to 10, with 10 being the highest. To arrive at your results, the test raters combine your section scores and convert the combination to one of the whole numbers from 5 to 10. All three sections of the ELI-ASSET count equally in the conversion.

• A result of 8, 9 or 10 AND a qualifying grade point average in ELI courses indicate that a student is ready to move to the Advanced Level in the ELI.
• A result of 7 AND a qualifying grade point average in ELI courses indicate that a student is ready to move to the High Intermediate Level in the ELI.
• A result of 6 AND a qualifying grade point average in ELI courses indicate that a student is ready to move to the Intermediate Level in the ELI.
• A result of 5 AND a qualifying grade point average in ELI courses indicate that a student is ready to study in the Pre-Intermediate Level in the ELI.