Oxford Test of English
English proficiency tests developed by Oxford University Press

Oxford Test of English
AcronymOTE
TypeStandardised test
AdministratorOxford University Press
Skills testedSpeaking, Listening, Reading and Writing of the English language
PurposeTo assess the English language proficiency of non‑native speakers
Year started2017; 9 years ago (2017)
DurationSpeaking: ~15 minutes; Listening: ~30 minutes; Reading: ~35 minutes; Writing: ~45 minutes; Total: ~2 hours
Score range0–140 (OTE, OTE for Schools); 0–170 (OTE Advanced)
Score validityScores valid for life
OfferedOn demand at approved test centres
RegionsGlobal
LanguagesEnglish
Websiteelt.oup.com/feature/global/oxford-test-of-english/

Oxford Test of English (OTE) is a suite of computer‑based English proficiency tests developed by Oxford University Press and certified by the University of Oxford. It assesses four skills—Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing—and reports results aligned to the CEFR at A2–B2 (OTE and OTE for Schools) and B2–C1 (OTE Advanced). Tests are delivered on demand via approved centres worldwide, with Reading and Listening scored immediately and Speaking and Writing typically reported within five working days.[1][2][3]

History

Development of the test began in the mid‑2010s, with Spain selected for the first national launch in April 2017.[4][5] The global rollout followed in April 2019 and was marked at the 53rd IATEFL Conference in Liverpool, including a launch event at Tate Liverpool.[6][7]

In 2020, the Oxford test of English was shortlisted for “Best Use of Summative Assessment” at the International e‑Assessment Awards.[8] In 2024, Oxford University Press launched Oxford Test of English Advanced to target higher‑level certification at B2–C1 for academic and professional use, with recognition including admissions at the University of Oxford.[3][9][10] In June 2025, OTE Advanced received the **Best Summative Assessment Project** award at the International e‑Assessment Awards, celebrating its innovative use of technology and real-world relevance in assessment delivery.[11][12]

Format

Modules and delivery

The suite comprises four modules—Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing which can be taken individually or in any combination. Module durations are ~15 minutes (Speaking), ~30 (Listening), ~35 (Reading) and ~45 (Writing) with whole‑test time around two hours.[2][13]

Listening and Reading are computer‑adaptive: an algorithm selects subsequent items based on previous responses, improving efficiency and measurement precision. Speaking and Writing are randomised linear tests marked by trained human assessors against published criteria.[2][14][15]

Marking and quality assurance

Productive skills are marked by trained assessors, supported by standardisation and ongoing quality control processes described in the test specifications.[2][16]

Scoring and results

For OTE and OTE for Schools, module and overall results are reported on a 0–140 standardised scale mapped to CEFR bands (A2: 51–80; B1: 81–110; B2: 111–140). Certificates may show different CEFR levels across modules, reflecting test‑taker performance; scores are valid for life. Reading and Listening results are available immediately, with Speaking and Writing typically reported within five working days.[2][1][17]

For OTE Advanced, results are reported on a 0–170 scale with certification at B2 and C1; candidates below B2 receive an indicative “Below B2”.[15]

Variants

Oxford Test of English for Schools

Introduced in 2020, Oxford Test of English for Schools uses the same format and scoring as OTE but adapts topics and tasks for test‑takers aged 12–16 (e.g., more age‑appropriate content and informal responses in certain Speaking tasks).[18][16]

Oxford Test of English Advanced

Launched in 2024, OTE Advanced targets higher‑level proficiency for university entry and professional contexts at CEFR B2–C1. Test specifications emphasise integrated skills and mediation (e.g., spoken summary of multiple audio inputs; written summary of multiple textual inputs). Recognition includes use for University of Oxford admissions.[3][15][19]

Administration, security and accessibility

All tests are delivered in invigilated sessions at approved centres, using secure browser technology; results can be verified online by organisations. Accessibility measures and accommodations are described in the test specifications.[1][2][16]

Recognition

OTE is recognised by a range of universities, organisations and public bodies internationally. In Spain, recognition includes multiple ministries, regional authorities and universities; Andalusian public universities list OTE among accepted certificates for CEFR equivalence.[20][21]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Oxford Test of English". Oxford University Press. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "About the Oxford Test of English". Oxford University Press. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "About the Oxford Test of English Advanced". Oxford University Press. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  4. ^ Becerra, Juanjo (5 April 2017). "Oxford desafía al examen de inglés de Cambridge". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  5. ^ "Fin al monopolio del examen de inglés". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 14 July 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  6. ^ Civinini, Claudia (3 April 2019). "OUP launches Oxford Test of English". The PIE News. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  7. ^ "My IATEFL Conference 2019 experience!". Teaching English with Oxford (OUP blog). 20 May 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  8. ^ "e‑Assessment Awards Finalists and Winners 2020". The e‑Assessment Association. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  9. ^ "Oxford Test of English Advanced: Independent CEFR referencing". Ecctis. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Oxford Test of English Advanced Certified by University of Oxford". Eaquals. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  11. ^ "Oxford Test of English Advanced wins Best Summative Assessment Project at 2025 International e-Assessment Awards". Oxford University Press press release. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  12. ^ "2025 e-Assessment Awards Winners Announced".
  13. ^ "Oxford Test of English Sample test (overview)" (PDF). Oxford Test of English sample materials. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  14. ^ "Oxford Test of English – Test specifications (overview)" (PDF). Oxford Exams Euskadi (OUP document). May 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  15. ^ a b c "Oxford Test of English Advanced: Independent CEFR referencing". Ecctis. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  16. ^ a b c "Oxford Test of English – Test specifications" (PDF). Oxford Exams Euskadi (OUP document). May 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  17. ^ "How to interpret your Report Card" (PDF). Exámenes Oxford (OUP guidance) (in Spanish). 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  18. ^ "About the Oxford Test of English for Schools". Oxford University Press. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  19. ^ "Oxford University Press presents the 'Oxford Test of English Advanced'". Mondadori Group. 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  20. ^ "Who recognises your certificate (Spain list)". Oxford University Press Spain (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  21. ^ "Tables of official certificates accepted for language accreditation (Andalusian Public Universities)" (PDF). Universidad Internacional de Andalucía (in Spanish). June 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
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