Undergraduate Students

FAQs

The English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) is a compulsory test for:

 

1. New UG students joining HKUST with sub-degree qualifications

Both parts of ELPA should be taken so that your results can be used to place you in the right Year 1 English course.

 

2. Students pre-registered into LANG1002-I (I stream ONLY)

LANG1002 is a compulsory English course for HKUST students. The course is designed to raise your language proficiency and equip you with the underlying competence necessary for you to succeed in English-medium university study. Taking ELPA before the Fall semester will enable your LANG1002 instructor to give you feedback and advice on how to improve as you complete your Year 1 studies. Students who are required to take ELPA will receive an invitation by email to their HKUST account in mid-August.

If you have any queries about English courses, you can email the CLE English Course Advice Team at lcstdadvice@ust.hk.

 

This year, ELPA tests will be held online only.

 

1. New UG students joining HKUST with sub-degree qualifications

ELPA written tests for students with sub-degree qualifications will be held online on 28 July 2021.

The Speaking tests will be held online via Zoom on 29-30 July 2021.

Online booking will be available from the afternoon of 19 July 2021.

 

2. Students pre-registered into LANG1002-I stream

ELPA written tests for students pre-registered into LANG1002-I stream will be held online on 26 August 2021. Email invitations will be sent to the students’ HKUST email account.

The Speaking tests will be held online via Zoom on 25-27 August 2021.

Online booking will be available from the afternoon of 16 August 2021.

 

You must watch an orientation video (http://cle.hkust.edu.hk/archive/2021/tests/elpa/orientation_video_speaking/) before taking the Speaking test.

Students will need to join the Zoom meeting for their test at least 10 minutes before the start of the test. Students are advised to book their tests early in order secure their preferred test time slot.

The test has 3 papers (in sequence): Writing, Vocabulary and Reading. You will do the papers on Canvas (https://canvas.ust.hk).

The test will be invigilated on Zoom. You need a computer, a microphone and a webcam. For the workstation setting, you must follow the guidelines (https://cle.hkust.edu.hk/archive/2021/tests/elpa/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/07/student_hardware_guide-summer2021_final.pdf). Your phone must be switched off and placed somewhere you cannot see it. No recording or photographing is allowed, and no conversation is allowed.

Before coming to the test, you will have read and agreed to the Declaration of Academic Integrity on the Canvas site. That means you agree to NOT use any materials – this is a closed book examination. You agree that your answers will be your own work – you are not to receive any assistance. You agree to take this test in isolation. You agree to use your own ITSC account to complete the examination.

We are depending on your academic integrity to approach this test with honesty. You are also reminded that Turnitin will be used for plagiarism checks. Anyone caught cheating will be disqualified.

Please check that your booking was successful and confirmed. You can either check your ITSC email account (http://o365.ust.hk/) for the confirmation email that will be sent to you with your test details or log back into the online registration website to check your “booking status”, which will show your test booking time and venue.

If you become aware of something that clashes with the time you have booked for your tests, you can go back into the online registration system to change your bookings. Please note that your choice of test times may become limited as test times get fully booked.

If you are unable to attend your test due to circumstances beyond your control, including medical emergencies, you must contact the ELPA team (lcelpa@ust.hk) within one week from your test date.

If you are absent due to medical reasons, you must obtain a “Certificate of Sickness” issued by a registered medical practitioner that states the diagnosed condition/illness and recommends a period of sick leave that covers the test date.

For the online written and speaking tests, you should prepare your student ID card (or other photographic ID such as your HKID or passport), a blank piece of paper and a pen. Please note that the use of electronic devices, such as mobile phones and smart watches, are strictly prohibited. You must switch such devices off and must not have them placed near you during the entirety of the test.

In case of adverse weather on the day of your test, your test may be rescheduled. You must check this webpage and your HKUST email for the most up-to-date information regarding rescheduled test arrangements. You may refer to the official university guidelines for general guidance.

You will get your ELPA results through the online feedback system. Please note that accounts are not created on the system until you have results to show. This means you will not be able to access the system until your results are available.

Students are required to declare their SEN to the Dean of Students’ Office who will work with the students on available support services, including academic accommodation(s) throughout their study at HKUST. Students with SEN are strongly advised to specify their needs when they register for ELPA online and schedule an appointment with the Dean of Students’ Office by emailing sen@ust.hk. The data collected will be handled with strict confidentiality and in compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance of Hong Kong.

Contact lcelpa@ust.hk if you have any unanswered questions.

This page has been archived.

It has not been updated nor maintained since 1 Sept 2021.

For the latest information on the Center of Language Education, please check the new CLE website.