Male and female student talking in student lounge

Kaplan International Tools for English Placement Test

In order to be admitted to COD, any student who has studied for seven years or fewer from kindergarten through high school in the United States and has not taken another placement test must take the Kaplan International Tools for English Language Placement test.

Kaplan International Tools for English Test

  • Listening, reading and grammar
  • Multiple choice
  • Adjusts question difficulty depending on how students answer the questions
  • Takes an average of 73 minutes
  • Must be taken before Part Two
  • Results are given immediately following the test 
  • Writing and speaking
  • Students must write an essay and record a speaking sample
  • Takes about one hour
  • Graded by human professional raters
  • Results are ready in 24-48 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

New students are allowed to take Part One and Part Two twice. Students must take Part One then Part Two before retaking Part One.

Students who have taken Accuplacer twice in the past year or those whose scores are a year old may take Part One and Part Two one time per year from their last testing date. 

Students who have taken Accuplacer only once, may take Part One and Part Two one time without waiting a year. 

The highest recorded placement score will prevail. Any testing beyond the allowed frequency can only be initiated by a full-time ELS faculty member or the Dean of Liberal Arts. 

Category One scores are permanently valid.  

If a student has scores in categories two to five and has not been taking classes, it is recommended that they retest after a year.

The following links can help you practice for the Kaplan International Tools for English test:

Practice Part One

Practice Part Two

Schedule an appointment with a Writing, Reading, Speech Assistance (WRSA) coach for test preparation assistance.

Visit one of the Testing Center locations to take the test.

There is no cost to take the test. You must apply to become a student at College of DuPage before you begin your placement tests. First-time students to COD have two chances to take the test. All other students may take the test one time per year from their last testing date.  You must bring photo identification to the Testing Center.