To register for the August 2026 OECT, submit the intake form.
Verify if you have to take the OECT to meet the English for Teaching Requirements. The OECT is only offered in person on campus.
OECT Registration
OECT Testing Dates
Note: To receive notifications about test selection, international teaching assistants (ITAs) must register for the OECT. A late registration will lead to missed emails regarding test slot availability.
| Registration Date | Test Date | Location (Check-In) |
|---|---|---|
The August 2026 registration period is open. Submit an OECT Registration Intake Form. For new incoming ITAs, we will check your Workday record to verify that you do not have TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo scores before you are allowed to take the OECT. Those who are need to enroll in GRST 5400 can email itas@iastate.edu for further instructions. | TBD | TBD |
Test Preparation
Check out the guides to help you understand and prepare for your test. The test guide contains instructions and sample questions similar to the test — answer them just as you would on test day. The score guide contains the ratings and descriptors raters use.
Before the Test Day
- After you have completed the OECT Registration Intake Form, wait for a follow-up email about selecting a test session. This email will come a few weeks before the actual test dates.
- Once you have selected a test slot, we will email you to confirm your TEACH topic.
- Cancel your test session at least 48 hours if you can't make it so that we can offer the slot to those on the waitlist.
On the Test Day
- Arrive at the check-in location ONE hour before your scheduled test time. For a 10:40 a.m. appointment, check in at 9:40 a.m. to prepare for the TEACH part. No additional time will be given to those who arrive late.
- Bring a University ID card (or another photo ID such as a driver's license or passport).
OECT Score Guide
- Scores: The examinee passed both the OPI and the TEACH tests with 230 or higher (on a scale 0-300).
- Recommended teaching duties: Whatever the department needs, but some personal support for the TA in the first semester is recommended.
- Workday instructor eligibility: Role 1 Instructor for standalone instruction and roles in the lower levels
- Requirements: None.
- Recommendations for extended practice: None.
- Scores: The examinee received (1) a score of 210 or 220 on one test and a higher score on the other, or (2) scored 210 or 220 on both tests. For example, the examinee passed the OPI test with 230, but received a score of 210 or 220 on TEACH (on a scale 0-300).
- Recommended teaching duties: Not a sole, stand-alone instructor, but may be a recitation or discussion leader, an occasional presenter, or any of the duties described in the lower levels.
- Workday instructor eligibility: Roles 1 Co-Instructor for Discussion/Recitation sections, and roles in the lower levels
- Requirements:
- One semester of English for Communication Practice (ECP) if both OPI/TEACH scores are 220.
- One semester of GR ST 5400 (3 credits), usually section D if either or both OPI/TEACH scores are 210. This must be taken during or before the first semester of teaching duties.
- Recommendations for extended practice:
- Participation in one Peer Speaking Practice Group OR
- Participation in one Individual Speaking Consultation at least bi-weekly for the semester.
- Scores: The examinee received a score of between 170 and 200 (1) on one of the tests and higher on the other or (2) on both tests (on a scale 0-300).
- Recommended teaching duties: May work as a laboratory instructor reviewing assignments and helping with experiments, or individually with students as tutors or in help-rooms, or any of the duties described in the lowest level.
- Workday instructor eligibility: Roles 1 Co-Instructor for Labs or Studio sections, 3 Grader, and 5 Section Support
- Requirements: 1-2 semesters of GR ST 5400 (3 credits each) usually sections A-C (depending on scores), with retesting at the end of each semester. Classes must be taken during or before the first semester of teaching duties and continue for a second semester if still teaching, unless the student retests at level 1.
- Recommendations for extended practice:
- Level 3 upper band (190-200): Participation in one Peer Speaking Practice Group (any month during the semester) AND one Individual Speaking Consultation per week for the semester.
- Level 3 lower band (170-180): Participation in two Peer Speaking Practice Group (separate months during the semester) AND in one Individual Speaking Consultation per week for the semester.
- Scores: The examinee received scores of below 170 on one or both tests (on a scale 0-300).
- Recommended teaching duties: Ones that don't require oral proficiency, such as taking care of or setting up equipment, grading papers and assignments, doing webpages, and proctoring examinations.
- Workday instructor eligibility: Roles 3 Grader and 5 Section Support
- Requirements: 2-3 semesters of GR ST 5400 (3 credits), usually beginning with section A and finishing with section D, with retesting at the end of each semester. Classes must be taken during or before the first semester of teaching duties and continue the following semesters.
- Recommendations for extended practice:
- Participation in two Peer Speaking Practice Group (separate months during the semester) OR
- Participation in two Individual Speaking Consultation per week for the semester.
- If the student took GR ST 5400A and got a Level 4 scores after re-testing, s/he is required to complete at least 7 hours of independent work per week before being eligible for GR ST 5400B or GR ST 5400C. The student is allowed to retest at the end of the semester if the independent work requirement is completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only international graduate students who have teaching assistantship offers from their department and Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) applicants without TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo scores can take the OECT. Graduate students who are looking for teaching assistantship offers but do not yet have confirmed offers, OR research assistants and administrative assistants, may not take the OECT.
No. The OECT is only offered in person on campus.
Complete the OECT Intake Registration Form per test period. We will contact you when test slots are open for selection.
Two test cycles are offered:
- January and August - Incoming and new International Teaching Assistants (ITAs)
- May and December - ITAs enrolled in GR ST 5400 courses and PFF applicants
No more testing sessions are available once the semester starts. Contact us at itas@iastate.edu.
Email itas@iastate.edu if you have additional questions or concerns.
Unfortunately not. We can't accommodate individual students' testing requests due to limited resources. If you need OECT scores for the application to the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) program, indicate in your application when you will take it.
The Graduate College does not administer the English Placement Test (EPT). If you need to take the EPT or request an exemption, visit the English Placement Test (EPT) Webpage.