The ACTFL Test consists of OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) and WPT (Writing Proficiency Test). NJ DOE requires ESL certification candidates to take English OPI and WPT, and Bilingual certification candidates to take both English and a target language OPI and WPT. ACFTL scores are valid for two years, and must be valid at the time of program completion/application to the State of New Jersey. TCNJ offers ACTFL once per semester.
OPIc is a computer-based test and it takes about 30 minutes. You select at least 13 topics and the computer generates about 13-15 questions based on your topic selections. The computer records your answers to those questions.
WPT is also a computer-based test and it takes 90 minutes: 10 minutes for instruction and 80 minutes for you to write 4 short essays based on the topics you choose with some exceptions. You can move from one essay to another back and forth, and the computer saves your writing automatically. No spell check is available.
The test results are ranked by proficiency level. Advanced Low level is required in both OPI and WPT in order to get NJ ESL certification. For Bilingual certification, the English OPI must score at least Intermediate High. The English WPT must score at least Advanced Low when the target language WPT is at Intermediate High. The English WPT must score at least Intermediate High when the target language WPT is at Advanced Low. Candidates may retake the tests if they do not reach the required level of any test. It usually takes about two weeks to get the test results.
Waiver:
1). WPT in English is waived for those who passed Praxis Core/Basic Skill Test with 162 on writing or
with 50 percentiles of SAT, ACT or GRE on Reading and Writing. See details here.
2). Bilingual certification candidates who were primarily educated at the undergraduate or graduate level
in a target language, as determined by their submitted foreign evaluation transcript(s), will be exempt
from taking OPI and WPT in their target language.
The spring 2025 test date is on Saturday, April 5. This is an online exam with proctoring through Zoom.
1. Fill out a registration form. The deadline to register is April 2nd.
2. Test Date and Time: April 5th at 8:30am. A Zoom meeting will be scheduled at the same time for proctoring purposes. The invitation will be sent to you after registration.
3. Prepare two computers and an earphone set with a speaker for OPIc. If you don’t have two computers, you may use your smart phone to log into Zoom.
4. Test fee: $73 for each test (waived once for all TCNJ students working on their ESL and/or Bilingual certification).
5. The test certificates will be sent to you by email when they are available (about two weeks).