Language requirements for graduate programs

This test includes the following:

• Three listening passages which consist of a recorded conversation or lecture and multiple-choice questions related to the recording. You will hear the recording twice.

• Three reading passages which consist of a text which you must read and multiple-choice questions related to the text.

• One fill-in the-blank activity which consists of a passage in which words have been deleted. You must choose, from the multiple-choice options, the words that best fit the blanks.

Test-takers must allow 90 minutes to write the test, but may finish more quickly.

To demonstrate English proficiency:

1. Follow the login steps outlined on the XpressLab - Language testing portal

2. After you login, find Admission – Études supérieures – Test d’anglais in the Available Tests list.

3. Click on the Request Access button next to the test title.

4. When the pop-up appears, click on the payment link. This will open uOttawa’s General Store in a new window.

5. Pay for the test using a credit card. 
   Note: if someone else pays for your test, make sure they type your name in the Details section of the payment form.

6. Close the General Store window.

7. Back in the XpressLab window, click the Request Access button in the pop-up.

8. Wait to receive an email granting access to the test. Please allow up to two business days for your request and payment to be processed.

9. When you have enough time to write the test (90 minutes), log back in.

10. Write the test and view your results immediately after submitting the test.

To demonstrate French proficiency:

1. Follow the login steps outlined on the XpressLab - Language testing portal.

2. After you login, find Admission – Graduate Programs – French Test in the Available Tests list.

3. Click on the Request Access button next to the test title.

4. When the pop-up appears, click on the payment link. This will open uOttawa’s General Store in a new window.

5. Pay for the test using a credit card. 
   Note: if someone else pays for your test, make sure they type your name in the Details section of the payment form.

6. Close the General Store window.

7. Back in the XpressLab window, click the Request Access button in the pop-up.

8. Wait to receive an email granting access to the test. Please allow up to two business days for your request and payment to be processed.

9. When you have enough time to write the test (90 minutes), log back in.

10. Write the test and view your results immediately after submitting the test.

English proficiency
 

French proficiency
 

Each English and French proficiency test includes two multiple-choice sub-tests: a listening comprehension sub-test and a reading sub-test.

The listening comprehension sub-test consists of three to four recorded listening passages which you will hear twice. All questions are multiple-choice and are printed in your test booklet. This sub-test lasts approximately 25 to 30 minutes.

The reading sub-test includes a reading comprehension component and a cloze exercise. The reading comprehension component consists of three to four reading passages for which you are asked to read the text and answer multiple-choice questions. The cloze exercise consists of a reading passage with blanks where words have been deleted from the text. You must choose, from multiple-choice options, the word that best fits the blank. The entire reading sub-test lasts approximately 50 to 60 minutes.

This service is available on an individual basis and there is a $60 fee associated with the test. The payment can be made here using a credit card, please note that the University of Ottawa does not accept cash payments.

To request a test, you can log in to XpressLab using the XpressLab - Language testing portal. The two versions of the test can be found under the following names:

• Graduate Program Completion Test – French
• Test d'achèvement du programme d'études supérieures – Anglais

For further assistance, please contact us to [email protected] or tel. : 613-562-5800 ext 3461.

Five to ten business days following the test an email will be sent to the student indicating whether or not they have met the requirement. If the student has met the requirement, a note will be added to their file by the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute’s Academic Assistant.

Students who do not meet the requirement must wait at least three months before they may write the test again. Alternatively, students may choose to complete an English or French as a second language course at their level in order to meet the requirement.

The test date and time will be confirmed by email three to five business-days following receipt of your request.