The
purpose of the English Placement Test is to assess the English
proficiency of new students who have not taken specified Hong Kong
public exams and do not have an acceptable alternative qualification
when they are admitted to CityU.
The ELC
uses the test to determine whether such students need to take ELC
courses to meet the University or College English attainment
requirement. The test is also used to decide if such students can enrol
in third language courses.
Students who are not
admitted through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System
(JUPAS) or the Joint Admission Scheme for Polytechnics, Technical
Institutes and Colleges (JASPIC) are invited at registration to take
the English Placement Test or to provide proof that they qualify for
exemption from ELC courses.
Students who think they are eligible to take the test should contact the ELC before the middle of August if they have not been invited to take it.
The English Placement Test is a 2-hour computer-based test to evaluate:
 Language accuracy and comprehensibility
Organization ability in writing and speaking
General comprehension of written texts and spoken discourse
Candidates can register for the test only once. If they fail to show up, they will be required to complete ELC courses.
To
familiarize candidates with the test, a practice session is arranged
for each candidate. The practice paper is not marked or assessed.
| Format of the English Placement Test |
| Part |
Approximate Duration |
Tasks |
| I Reading |
26 min |
|
Read two passages on the same topic but with different focuses |
|
Answer questions about the main ideas |
|
| II Listening |
24 min |
|
Listen to parts of two lectures on the same topic but with different focuses |
|
Answer questions about the main ideas |
|
| III Speaking |
10 min |
|
With the help of the information collected in Part II, do a 3-minute recorded presentation |
|
| IV Writing |
60 min |
|
With the help of the information collected in Parts I & II, write a brief introduction and two body paragraphs |
|
The introduction should be about 50 words and each body paragraph should be approximately 150 words in length |
|
|
