OECT Schedule

--The OECT is only offered in-person, face-to-face on ISU's campus.--

 

The OECT Test Cycles

The test cycles are reserved for the following groups.

  • January and August - Incoming and new International Teaching Assistants (ITAs)
  • July - Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) applicants and other ITAs who want to retest
  • May and December - ITAs enrolled in GR ST 540 courses and PFF applicants

- Note: Starting Fall 2023, ENGL 180 will be called GR ST 540 -

Registration Date

In-Person Test Date

Location (Check-In)

Notes

January OECT is now locked. Email Dr. Lily Compton at lcompton@iastate.edu if you want to register.

January 4, 5, 8,10, 12

 

Pearson 1115

To receive notifications about test selection, students must register for the OECT.

A late registration will lead to missed emails regarding test slot availability.

NOTE 1: This schedule is subject to change. Please keep checking this page for updates.
NOTE 2: Students are strongly advised to take OECT as early as possible. We may not be able to accommodate late testing requests. 
NOTE 3: Seats for earlier dates will be available first; seats for later dates will open gradually.

For questions about OECT testing, email itas@iastate.edu.


Test Registration

Important:

  1. OECT is designed for assessing international teaching assistants' oral English proficiency. Native speakers of American English or undergraduate students are not eligible to take this test.
  2. International graduate students with teaching appointments are required to take OECT. Students without a teaching assistantship OR international research assistants are not required to take this test.
  3. Students enrolled in GR ST 540 can re-take OECT at the end of the semester. Students who are required but do not not take English 180 are allowed to re-test only after a year.
  4. Students are strongly advised to complete the registration as early as possible. Completing a registration means that we can give you updates when test dates are open for selection.

Directions (please read carefully)

Test registration is offered through the OECT Portal, which requires entering TOEFL or IELTS scores. ITAs who are re-taking the test may choose the "exempt" option. First-time test takers must provide their TOEFL/IELTS scores unless they are exempt from the English proficiency requirement.

A valid NetID (ISU email address before "@iastate.edu") and correct student ID number (on the student's ISU ID card) are required for test registration for all test takers. Students should confirm their information in order to proceed to the registration part. Submit only one registration per testing period.

If you do not have a NetID, please visit the Information Technology Services to get one before attempting to register for the OECT.

Once the online registration form is completed and submitted, students are notified by email when test scheduling begins and will be asked to select a test date and time, after which they will receive another email confirming their test time.


Click here to register for OECT


On the test date

Test takers must arrive at the check-in location one hour before their scheduled test time. For example, if the test appointment is at 10:40a.m., the student is required to check in at 9:40 a.m. to prepare for the TEACH part of OECT. Test takers must also bring the following documents to the test:

  1. University ID card (or another photo ID such as driver's license or passport)
  2. Their most recent official TOEFL or IELTS score report and a photocopy of it (first-time test takers only). If students do not have an official TOEFL record available, they may present a printout of their TOEFL scores reported on the ETS website at their check-in. Students who have earned a bachelor's or higher degree in the U.S. and thus do not have a TOEFL/IETLS record to bring in should present proof of their degree by email (lcompton@iastate.edu) or at the check-in on the test date. Proof of degree may include a copy of the diploma or a transcript with the earned degree and the student's name listed. 
For additional information about OECT, email lcompton@iastate.edu.