The next step in Princeton’s program is assessing students’ oral language skills.  Incoming graduate students who are non-native speakers of English with scores of 26 and below on the TOEFL iBT are required to take a placement test. This enables us to assign students to an appropriate ELP class.

The test is computerized and takes approximately 20 minutes.  Students listen to recorded questions and respond to them orally.  It is administered in September, just before academic classes begin.

The Princeton Oral Proficiency Test (POPT) is given to students once they have taken at least one semester of ELP coursework.  The POPT evaluates oral proficiency by focusing on the specific activities common to teaching at Princeton.  Students give brief presentations to undergraduate students and are expected to respond to questions asked by the undergraduates.  In addition to the presentation, the graduate student participates in an informal discussion with an undergraduate.  Faculty members from the graduate student’s department are invited to observe.

The English Language Program follows guidelines established by the Graduate School . The Graduate School 's Policy Concerning English Language Proficiency can be obtained from their website at gradschool.princeton.edu/academics/policies/elp.

It is important that you contact your department to learn its policy regarding the time frame in which you are expected to pass the POPT.

ELP Calendar of Classes and Tests