CESL provides valid and reliable testing services to meet a variety of needs for University of Arizona students and departments, visiting scholars, as well as other institutions. Developed by assessment specialists, the CESL English Proficiency Test (CEPT) assesses the English proficiency of individuals and their readiness for coursework or research in University of Arizona programs, as well as other academic and professional settings. The CEPT is aligned to the most widely used and recognized language proficiency scale, the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), and all CEPT score reports provide test-takers with a CEFR score. There are two versions of the CEPT, as outlined below.
CEPT Full Academic
This test is designed to assess Reading, Writing, and Speaking skills to provide a full picture of overall English proficiency. It is accepted by both Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions at the University of Arizona, whether you are applying to an in-person degree in Tucson, or you are going to study online or at a micro-campus in a foreign country.
Note that if you have already been admitted to the University of Arizona, and you are only seeking to demonstrate your spoken proficiency in order to be considered for a graduate teaching assistant (TA) position, you must register to take CEPT OPI, and not CEPT Full Academic.
CEPT OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview)
The CEPT OPI test assesses spoken English and consists of a 15-minute real-time online interview. This test is designed for visiting scholars and student interns coming to the University of Arizona on a J1 visa. CEPT OPIs are also administered for UArizona departments wishing to screen the oral proficiency of potential teaching assistants (TAs).