Taking Care of the Basics
International Students (Orientation and Testing)
After Admission
Reach out to the Office of International Affairs (OIA) and/or your program with any questions or concerns. You must review your admission materials carefully engage in OIA’s Orientation and become familiar with visas and employment requirements.
Testing for International Students
International applicants and non-native speakers of English may be required to take additional tests to demonstrate English proficiency and meet graduate or professional admission requirements. English proficiency can be demonstrated in many ways. Be sure to verify English proficiency requirements with your program of interest before registering for a specific exam or program.
Common tests include:
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English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
By University policy, most graduate students who are non-native speakers of English are required to take the EAP Placement Test before registering for classes, before the start of their first semester on campus, even if they completed the TOEFL test. Students’ letters of admission from the Office of International Affairs will indicate if they are required to take this test.
Some students who are permanent residents, political asylees, or undocumented without a U.S. degree are strongly encouraged to take the EAP Placement test. Graduate students in this category should speak to their advisor or the EAP Program about enrolling in an EAP course. Both undergraduate and graduate students may choose to take EAP courses even if not required.
Because the EAP Placement Test is a placement test used to accurately determine English language skill level, students do not need to “prepare” for it. The scores are used to assign EAP classes that best meet students’ academic needs and will provide favorable English experiences necessary for a successful career at IU Indianapolis and beyond.
The courses prescribed based on the student’s results on the EAP Placement Test are required. Students who have not completed their EAP requirements will not be able to graduate.
The Department of English lists information such as test dates, testing locations, registration instructions, and more. EAP students also can take advantage of the ESL Tutoring Center. For questions about dates and times for the current semester, please email esltutor@iupui.edu.
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SPEAK Exam
Graduate students who are being considered for a teaching role (tutor, lab assistant, teaching assistant, course instructor) are also required by university policy to take the SPEAK test and complete any required supplemental EAP courses recommended based on that test. The Graduate Office monitors compliance with the campus policy.