At the end of ELC4 (the last required level for most STU undergraduates), students take the ELC Exit Test. The test consists of the oral component of the Aptis Exam, a computer-based assessment tool designed by the British Council. The oral component of the Aptis Exam contains four parts:

SECTION 1: personal topics: Students are asked three questions and are expected to speak for 30 seconds on each one.

SECTION 2: photograph description: Students are shown a photograph and asked some questions based on it. Students are expected to discuss each question for 45 seconds.

SECTION 3: picture comparison: Students view two pictures and answer two questions based on them. Students are expected to discuss each question for 45 seconds.

SECTION 4: two-minute-talk: Students are asked three questions on a single topic. Students are given one minute to prepare and are then expected to talk for two minutes.

Once completed, the exams are sent electronically to the British Council and marked by Council experts. Scores are calculated numerically, with 50 being a perfect score, and are assigned a CEFR value (i.e., A1, A2, B1, B2, C). The results of the test not only provide students with a clear idea of their oral proficiency but also provide the ELC with data to aid in the analysis of the program’s success.