FAQ
Answers to Some Common Questions
Below you'll find answers to many frequently asked questions about Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments exams. On this page, we've also provided the FAQs from the ECCE, ECPE, MELAB, and MET sections of the website.
What kind of exams do you offer?
Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments offers a wide range of internationally recognized English language exams of general English at various proficiency levels, tests of English for academic purposes, and tests of English for special purposes. You can view the complete list in our exams section.
How do I register for an exam?
You can take Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments examinations at authorized centers all over the world. Registration to take examinations is made directly to the test center, not to Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments. Please contact your nearest center for information.
Where is my nearest test center?
Use the Find a Center section to locate a test center near you.
Do I have to be a student at the center in order to take an exam there?
No. Our authorized test centers are required to offer the exam to all interested persons, regardless of whether or not they are students at the center.
Where can I find more information about an exam?
Visit the exams section of our site for the particular test you're interested in. Below are links to the most recent information bulletin for each exam. In the information bulletins you'll find descriptions of the exams, as well as details about scoring, results, rating scales, and samples of test content.
ECCE (PDF) | ECPE (PDF) | MELAB (PDF) | MET (PDF)
How can I prepare for an exam?
Our exams do not follow a specific English language curriculum, and special preparatory classes are not required. The best preparation for our exams is through the study and use of the English language.
Can I take one of your exams if I have any specific physical or learning difficulty?
Yes. Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments is committed to ensuring that you can demonstrate your language ability under circumstances that are fair and that do not alter the construct being measured. To this end, applicants with disabilities can request special accommodations, which can be made for all of our international exams. View our policies for more information.
Can I take notes in my test booklet?
In the listening section of exams you may take notes in the test booklet as you listen. You should not mark your answers in the test booklet, but instead on the separate answer sheet. Only answers recorded on the separate answer sheet will be scored.
What if I don't know the answer to a question on an exam?
If you do not know the answer to a question, you should make an educated guess. There are no penalties for wrong answers.
What happens if I mark more than one answer to a question?
If more than one answer choice is marked for a question on an exam, that particular question will be marked as wrong, even if one of the marked answer choices is correct.
Can I use a dictionary during the exam?
No. You are not allowed to use dictionaries or other resources during the exams.
Should I use a pen or pencil on the writing section of my exam?
Pencil must be used. Pen is not permitted.
Are your exams secure?
Yes. Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments exams are administered under secure conditions.
How much does an examination cost?
The cost of exams varies by location. Please contact your local test center for more information about the fee for an exam.
If I cannot take the exam, do I get my money back?
If you miss the exam for medical reasons or due to illness, you should contact the center where you registered to see if a refund can be made.
I’d like to find out the results for the exam I took. Whom should I contact?
The test center where you took the exam will notify you of your results.
Our institution would like to become a certified exam center. What do we do?
There is an application process for becoming a certified exam center. Contact us for details.
I have questions about the University of Michigan's GSI OET. Where can I find more information?
Many of the answers to your questions about the GSI OET can be found in the GSI OET Information Bulletin (PDF).
What if I can’t find an answer to my question on the website?
If you can't find the answer to your question, contact your local test center and they should be able to help you.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the ECCE
If you are unable to find the answer to your question below, please check our general FAQ.
How often can I take the ECCE?
You may take the ECCE twice a year. Test centers typically offer the ECCE in May and December. Contact your local test center for more specific information about test dates.
I'm looking for practice materials for the ECCE. Where should I go?
Visit the support materials section of our ECCE resources section for currently available ECCE practice materials.
How does the ECCE relate to the Common European Framework of Reference?
The content and difficulty of the ECCE is aimed at the B2 (Independent User, Vantage) level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
What If I use alternate English accents or spellings on the ECCE?
During the speaking or writing sections of the ECCE, you are allowed to use alternate English accents or spellings. You will not be penalized.
Who scores the ECCE speaking section?
The ECCE speaking section is administered by well-qualified, carefully trained, and regularly monitored examiners trained by the test center using CaMLA training materials. View Speaking Test Examiner Qualifications (PDF).
Who scores the ECCE writing section?
The writing section is scored by raters trained and certified according to CaMLA standards.
How do I receive my ECCE results?
The test center where you took the exam will notify you of your results.
How long does it take to receive ECCE results?
You will typically receive your results within two months after taking the exam.
What information is on the ECCE report of examination results?
The ECCE report gives the overall examination result as Pass or Fail. It also contains information on how an examinee did on each section of the exam ranging from High Pass (HP), Pass (P), Low Pass (LP), Borderline Fail (BF), and Fail (F). It provides a brief description of the examinee’s performance in speaking and writing and provide the numerical score of section results in listening and grammar, vocabulary, reading (GVR). You can find out more in the ECCE scoring section. There is also information about scaled scores provided in Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Scaled Scores on the ECCE and ECPE (PDF).
How do I receive my ECCE results?
Certificates are sent to the test centers for distribution to successful candidates. Find out more in the ECCE results section.
Can I replace a missing or lost ECCE certificate?
Once certificates have been sent to test centers, CaMLA will not issue duplicate certificates or copies of exam reports. You may contact your center to request a letter specifying the test you took, when you took it, and the final result.
Can I request a rescore of my ECCE exam?
If you wish to have your ECCE rescored, you can obtain a rescore request form from the test center where you took the test. You have up to one month after your test results have been issued by CaMLA to request a rescore. Read more about rescoring in the ECCE results section.
Who is awarded an ECCE certificate?
If your overall examination result is Pass, you will receive a certificate. To receive an overall examination result of Pass, you must achieve at least a Low Pass (LP) or higher in three sections of the ECCE and receive no lower than a Borderline Fail (BF) in any one section.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the ECPE
If you are unable to find the answer to your question below, please check our general FAQ.
How often can I take the ECPE?
You may take the ECPE twice a year. Test centers typically offer the ECPE in June and November. Contact your local test center for more specific information about test dates.
I'm looking for practice materials for the ECPE. Where should I go?
Visit the support materials section of our ECPE resources section for currently available ECPE practice materials.
How does the ECPE relate to the Common European Framework of Reference?
The content and difficulty of the ECPE is aimed at the C2 (Proficient User, Mastery) level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
What If I use alternate English accents or spellings on the ECPE?
During the speaking or writing sections of the ECPE, you are allowed to use alternate English accents or spellings. You will not be penalized.
Who scores the ECPE speaking section?
The ECPE speaking section is administered by well-qualified, carefully trained, and regularly monitored examiners trained by the test center using CaMLA training materials. View Speaking Test Examiner Qualifications (PDF).
Who scores the ECPE writing section?
The writing section is scored by raters trained and certified according to CaMLA standards.
How do I receive my ECPE results?
The test center where you took the exam will notify you of your results.
How long does it take to receive ECPE results?
You will typically receive your results within two months after taking the exam.
What information is on the ECPE report of examination results?
All candidates receive an examination report that shows their overall performance as well as the levels for each test section. This report helps the test taker determine how well they have done in each area as well as where they may need to improve. You can find out more in the ECPE scoring section. There is also information about scaled scores provided in Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Scaled Scores on the ECCE and ECPE (PDF).
How do I receive my ECPE results?
Certficates are sent to the test centers for distribution to successful candidates. Find out more in the ECPE results section.
Can I replace a missing or lost ECPE certificate?
Once certificates have been sent to test centers, CaMLA will not issue duplicate certificates or copies of exam reports. You may contact your center to request a letter specifying the test you took, when you took it, and the final result.
Can I request a rescore of my ECPE exam?
If you wish to have your ECPE rescored, you can obtain a rescore request form from the test center where you took the test. You have up to one month after your test results have been issued by CaMLA to request a rescore. Read more about rescoring in the ECPE results section.
Who is awarded an ECPE certificate?
Candidates who pass three sections with a Low Pass (or higher) and receive no less than a Borderline Fail in one section will be awarded an ECPE certificate. Those with Honors scores on all four sections are awarded a Certificate of Proficiency with Honors.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the MELAB
If you are unable to find the answer to your question below, please check our general FAQ.
How often can I take the MELAB?
You must wait a calendar month between tests. For example, if you take the test in June, you must wait until August or later to take the MELAB again. You may take the MELAB a maximum of six times in any consecutive twelve-month period.
I'm looking for practice materials for the MELAB. Where should I go?
Visit the support materials section of our MELAB resources section for currently available MELAB sample materials.
What is the content of the MELAB?
The content of the test is aimed toward the level of English a student might encounter in an American university setting. On the listening test, speakers use standard American English at a normal rate of delivery. Grammar items focus on control of forms and structures of English that people might use when talking with each other. Vocabulary words tested are those frequently encountered in written sources. Reading comprehension passages—on a variety of subjects—are taken from books and magazines. Find out more in the MELAB format section.
Can I take the optional MELAB speaking test by itself?
No, the speaking test may not be taken separately. You may only take the speaking test in conjunction with the MELAB examination. Speaking test scores are only reported if you took the speaking test during your most recent MELAB examination. In other words, you cannot carry a previous speaking test score over to a more recent MELAB score report.
Who scores the MELAB speaking test?
The MELAB speaking test is administered by well-qualified, carefully trained, and regularly monitored examiners using CaMLA training materials. View Speaking Test Examiner Qualifications (PDF).
How long does it take to get my MELAB scores?
Total turnaround time, from the time MELAB test papers are received at CaMLA until the time you receive your results, will be 4 to 6 weeks. Rush service is available for the reporting of scores. Read more about this in the MELAB results section.
Where are my MELAB scores reported?
You will automatically receive one unofficial copy of your MELAB score report, issued by the test center where your MELAB was administered. Official MELAB score reports will be sent to up to two universities or institutions that you listed at the bottom of the Official MELAB Identification Form (PDF) before taking the test. Find out more information on score reporting in the MELAB results.
What is a MELAB Score Report?
Score reports include scores of performance on the different parts of the MELAB. Scores on parts 1, 2, and 3 are averaged to produce a MELAB final score. MELAB reports also include brief biographical information, the test date, and test location. No special test certificate is awarded.
How long are my MELAB scores valid?
MELAB test scores are valid for two years from the administration date, and no score reports can be issued for tests taken more than two years from the test date.
What is a passing MELAB score?
There is no official passing score on the MELAB, although different institutions and organizations that accept MELAB scores may require certain minimum scores for their purposes. View the MELAB results section for more information on scoring.
What is the MELAB policy for health care professionals?
In November 2002, the MELAB was discontinued as a test for ICHP/CGFNS Visa screens. If you have questions regarding the MELAB oral test for professional health care certification in Canada, visit www.melab.ca.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the MET
If you are unable to find the answer to your question below, please check our general FAQ.
How often can I take the MET?
The MET is a monthly test. You must register with your local test center to take it. You may take the MET as many times as you want.
I'm looking for practice materials for the MET. Where should I go?
Visit the support materials section of our MET resources section for currently available MET practice materials.
How does the MET relate to the Common European Framework of Reference?
The MET is aimed at levels A2 to C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Read more about this on the Interpreting Scaled Scores in Relation to the Common European Framework Levels (PDF) flyer.
When will I receive my MET score report?
Your MET score report, issued by CaMLA, will be ready four weeks from the date we receive your test for scoring. You will receive the score report from the test center where you took the test.
Are different forms of the MET equal in difficulty?
Yes.
Who should take the MET?
The MET is intended for adults and adolescents at or above a secondary level of education who want to measure their general English language proficiency in a variety of linguistics contexts. The MET can be used for educational purposes, such as when finishing an English language course, or for employment purposes, such as applying for a job or pursuing promotion that requires an English language qualification.
The MET is not an admissions test for students applying to universities and colleges in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Those interested in such a test should consider the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB).
What is the content of the MET?
The MET is a paper-and-pencil test. It contains 135 multiple-choice questions in two sections.
Section I: Listening (approximately 45 minutes).
- 60 questions assessing the ability to understand conversations and talks in social, educational, and workplace contexts
Section II: Reading and Grammar (90 minutes).
- 25 questions testing a variety of grammar structures
- 50 Reading questions assessing the ability to understand a variety of texts in social, educational, and workplace contexts
- vocabulary is assessed within the listening and reading sections
What is the pass score for the MET?
The MET does not have a pass score. Instead, all candidates receive a scaled score with a maximum of 80 for sections I and II, and a final score for these two sections. The final score is the total of the two sections. The scaled scores are not percentages. They do not show how many items the candidate answered correctly, but rather where he/she stands on the language ability scale. This ensures that test scores are comparable across different administrations and fair to all test takers regardless of when they took the test. Read about Interpreting Scaled Scores in Relation to the Common European Framework Levels (PDF).