The ETS® Proficiency Profile is available in two forms: Standard and Abbreviated. Both forms are offered in proctored paper-and-pencil and online versions. Students may take the proctored test on campus or off campus. Secure remote proctoring services are offered through our partner, ProctorU. A nonproctored online version is also available.
The ETS Proficiency Profile offers greater flexibility to meet your testing needs by allowing you to add an additional 50 locally-authored questions and select when, where and how you administer the assessment. Plus, get greater insight into your students' writing skills with a direct and authentic measure of their ability to construct a response by adding an essay to the ETS Proficiency Profile assessment.
Flexible payment options are also offered. Institutions may pay for all inventory, or can pass the cost of the test, the remote proctoring session or both to the student.
Standard Form vs. Abbreviated Form
The Standard and Abbreviated test forms both offer valuable information and the same level of score detail at the group level. The forms are compared below so you can choose the one that best meets your needs for test length and score usage:
| Standard Form | Abbreviated Form | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery method | Online or paper-and-pencil using onsite facilities and staff Note: Online tests are PC- and Mac®-compatible. |
Online or paper-and-pencil using onsite facilities and staff Note: Online tests are PC- and Mac-compatible. |
| Administration method | Proctored (On-campus) — Online, paper-and-pencil format Proctored (Off-campus) — Online Nonproctored — Online |
Proctored (On-campus) — Online, paper-and-pencil format Proctored (Off-campus) — Online Nonproctored — Online |
| Test length | 2 hours | 40 minutes |
| Task types | 108 questions | 36 questions |
| Score availability | Online — reported immediately Paper-and-pencil — scores are reported three weeks after ETS receives the tests |
Online — reported immediately Paper-and-pencil — scores are reported three weeks after ETS receives the tests |
| Minimum # of test takers to produce aggregate reports | No minimum | 30 |
| Certificate of Achievement | Yes (Online) No (Paper-and-pencil) |
No |
| Optional essay | 30 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Usage | Document program effectiveness and foster curriculum improvement Use scores for counseling and remediation |
Document program effectiveness and foster curriculum improvement |
| Payment Options | Institution pay Student pay |
Institution pay Student pay |
Technical Support
Free technical support is available for the online version of ETS Proficiency Profile assessment. Full-service support is available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, and after-hours support is available outside of regular business hours. If you anticipate the need for technical support during testing, we recommend scheduling your administration during the full-service support hours. You can contact Technical Support at 1-800-514-8491.
Additional Information
For more information about the test, review the Procedures section of this website, or contact an ETS Advisor.
Promotional Links
ETS Proficiency Profile Administrator Portal (Program Workshop)
Order tests, manage test administrations, run reports (for existing customers only)
ETS Proficiency Profile Annual Comparative Data Guide
Compare the performance of your students with those of a large group of students at other institutions.