|
Introduction to the ELI-ASSET |
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. It is designed for use only at The University of Akron.
The ELI-ASSET is a test of general English ability for academic purposes. It has three sections: listening, reading, and writing. Each section of the test evaluates your ability to handle essential academic tasks in English. The test takes 3.5 hours to complete. It is administered to all ELI students during the last week of classes every fall, spring, and summer.
|
What is The Purpose of The ELI-ASSET? |
Like most universities in the United States, The University of Akron requires F-1 undergraduate students and all graduate students who speak English as a second language to demonstrate their English proficiency before they can enroll in academic courses. This requirement ensures that the students have enough English skill to succeed in their university programs.
The English Language Institute also 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.
The ELI-ASSET Test has two main purposes:
-
If you wish to continue taking courses in the ELI, the ELI-ASSET and your grade point average (GPA) in your ELI courses can tell us what level you should be placed into for the next session.
-
If you are planning to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at The University of Akron, an ELI-ASSET score of 9 or 10 and a qualifying GPA from High Intermediate or Advanced level will fulfill the university's English requirement.
- If you are in the Advanced Level, the qualifying GPA is a B- average (a 2.7) in all four classes: reading, writing, listening, and grammar/speaking.
- If you are in the High Intermediate Level, the qualifying GPA is a B+ average (a 3.3) in all four classes: reading, writing, listening, and grammar/speaking.
-
If you are planning to enroll in a graduate degree program at The University of Akron, an ELI-ASSET score of 9 or 10 and a qualifying GPA from Advanced level will fulfill the university's English requirement.
- For graduate students in the Advanced Level, the qualifying GPA is a B average (a 3.0) in all four classes: reading, writing, listening, and grammar/speaking.
|
A Description of the ELI-ASSET |
-
In the listening section, you listen to real university lectures, take notes, and then answer questions about the ideas presented in the lecture. This is a skill that every successful university student must have.
You listen to three lectures of varying length and answer 30 to 40 questions. The time limit for the listening section is between 35 and 55 minutes depending on the length of the lectures and the number of questions asked.
-
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 40 questions. The time limit for the reading section is between 45 and 60 minutes depending on the length of the readings and the number of questions asked.
-
The 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 will have 60 minutes to think, plan, write, revise, and edit your essay. During the last 15 minutes, you will be allowed to use a dictionary of your choice. You must bring your own dictionary; the ELI will not provide one, and you cannot borrow one from another student during the test.
|
What Will Happen on Test Day? |
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.
Prepare what you will bring to the test:
- your UA Zip Card with your picture and student number on it. You MUST bring this photo ID.
- a pencil and an eraser.
- a watch with all noise functions turned off.
- a highlighter.
- a dictionary of your choice. The dictionary can be English-English or bilingual. It can be paper or electronic. If it is electronic, you must turn off all the noise functions.
Make sure that you arrive at the testing room a few minutes early. You should not enter the room until the test administrators call your name. One of the test administrators will give you an assigned seat in the testing room. Once you are seated, turn off your cell phone. Place your UA Zip Card on your desk.
While the Test Is In Progress
After everyone is seated, one of the test administrators will check photo IDs and your student numbers. Be sure your UA Zip Card is on your desk so that she can check it quickly.
A test administrator will give you a test folder with your name and student number on it. She 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.
At the end of the first section, all of your test materials will be collected and you will be given a 10-minute break. You must be back in your seat ready to begin the next section at the end of ten minutes.
At the end of the second section, all of your test materials will be collected and you will be given another 10-minute break. You must be back in your seat ready to begin the final section at the end of ten minutes.
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 scores are reported as whole numbers from 5 to 10. To arrive at your score, 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.
- Scores of 9 or 10 AND a qualifying grade point average in ELI courses indicate that an undergraduate student is ready to begin academic studies.
- A score of 8 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 score 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 score 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 score of 5 AND a qualifying grade point average in ELI courses indicate that a student is ready to move to the Pre-Intermediate Level in the ELI.
Please note that the ELI-ASSET is only for use by The University of Akron. The scores cannot be sent to other universities.
|
What is the Difference Between the ELI-ASSET and the Paper-Based TOEFL? |
| Points of Comparison
| ELI-ASSET
| Paper-Based TOEFL
|
| Testing Environment
| a comfortable UA classroom
| a comfortable UA classroom
|
| Test Format
| Tasks:
- write an essay; use a dictionary in the last 15 minutes (60 minutes)
- read three passages; underline, highlight, and take notes; answer the 30 to 40 questions that appear in the test booklet (45 to 60 minutes)
- listen to three lectures; take notes; answer the 30 to 40 questions that appear in the test booklet (35 to 55 minutes)
Tasks:
- listen to short conversations, longer conversations, and lectures; no note-taking is allowed; answer 50 questions that you hear from the testing CD (about 30 minutes)
- answer 40 multiple choice questions about structure and written expression in 25 minutes
- read five passages; no note-taking is allowed; answer 50 questions in 55 minutes
| Cost
| included in tuition
| included in tuition
|
| Scheduling
| At the end of every fall, spring, and summer
| At the end of every fall, spring, and summer; at the beginning of every fall and spring
|
| Score Report Availability
| with TOEFL score and final grades
| with ELI-ASSET score and final grades
|
| Score Report Data
| A converted number score of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10
| A converted number score between 300 and 670
|
| Accepted for the English Requirement
| Only at The University of Akron
| Only at The University of Akron
|
| Required Scores for Full Admission
|
- For prospective UA undergraduate students: a score of 9 or 10 AND a B+ GPA in High Intermediate or a B- GPA in Advanced
- For prospective UA graduate students: a score of 9 or 10 AND a B GPA in Advanced
- For prospective UA undergraduate students: a score of 500 OR a score of 480 to 497 AND a B+ GPA in High Intermediate or a B- GPA in Advanced
- For prospective UA graduate students: a score of 550 OR a score of 500 to 547 AND a B GPA in Advanced
| Length of Score Validity
| Two years from test date
| Two years from test date
| | | | |
|
Do you have any questions? |
If you have any questions about the ELI-ASSET or the information on our web pages, please send e-mail to ua-eli@uakron.edu
If you prefer, you can call or write to us at:
English Language Institute
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-1909
USA
Phone: 330-972-7544
Fax: 330-972-7353
[ELI Home] ·
[ELI-ASSET Home]·
[Listening Section] ·
[Reading Section] ·
[Writing Section]
Copyright © 2006
The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution.
This page is maintained by mmcnamara@uakron.edu
Last updated: October 29, 2006
Any and all comments are welcome.
|
| | | | | |
![[ELI]](http://www.uakron.edu/eli/Clips/UAeli.jpg)
![[ELI]](http://www.uakron.edu/eli/Clips/fumiowtg.jpg)