English Language Proficiency Exam (ELPE)

Texas A&M University requires international students to verify their proficiency with the English language. This can be achieved in a variety of ways.

The requirements differ for undergraduate and graduate students.

• Graduate students who plan to serve as a graduate teaching assistant or in any other teaching position (i.e. instructor, lecturer, etc.) are required by State of Texas law to obtain English Proficiency Certification.
• All other students must be at least English Proficiency Verified.

For detailed information about how to achieve English Proficiency Verification and/or Certification, visit the English Language Institute’s English Language Proficiency Requirements webpage.

The English Language Proficiency Exam (ELPE) is offered by Texas A&M University to all international students for the purpose of English Proficiency Verification and/or Certification. Some international students will be required to take the ELPE if they are unable to meet the English Proficiency Verification and/or Certification requirements by any other means. The ELPE is administered by the Texas A&M University unit, Data and Research Services (DARS).
For the ELPE schedule and registration, please visit the DARS ELPE webpage.

The ELPE contains 6 segments:

• Oral Skills Assessment
• Composition (Writing) Skills Assessment
• Reading Comprehension
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Listening Comprehension

A passing score for

• graduate students is at least 80 on four sections (listening, reading, speaking, and writing). For
• undergraduate students is at least 70 in all six sections.

1. Reference materials:There are some reference materials in the Sterling C. Evans Library at Texas A&M. Some books are held on reserve at the Reserve Desk, and audio tapes may be checked out in the Learning Resource Department. Except for the oral interview and composition segments of the ELPE, students may prepare ahead of time by studying for the Michigan Test Battery, since this standardized test makes up a large part of the ELPE.


2. Website: The English Language Institute provides information about the ELPE on their website as well: https://eli.tamu.edu/current-students/texas-am-international-students/.


3. ELPE Practice Session: Students are encouraged to attend the ELPE Practice Session facilitated by ISS to get general assistance with preparing for the ELPE.

Prior to each Fall and Spring semester, ISS facilitates an ELPE Practice Session for interested international students. Students who would like general assistance with preparing for the ELPE are encouraged to attend. During the ELPE Practice Session, you will be given an overview of what to expect on the exam as well as many helpful tips for how to prepare for the exam. You are encouraged to bring materials so you can take notes during the practice session!

Event details and registration information for the next ELPE Practice Session will be posted on the ELPE Practice Session event page.