Overview of the ECCE

The Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE) is a standardized high-intermediate level English as a foreign language (EFL) examination. It is aimed at the B2 (Independent User, Vantage) level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), and is developed and scored by the University of Michigan (U-M). It is administered by test centers around the world.

The emphasis of the ECCE is on the communicative use of English rather than on a formalistic knowledge of the language. It is aimed at students who are able to function and perform essential communicative transactions in all four skill areas of the language (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). While the ECCE is not an academically oriented exam, it may be seen as a bridge to such an exam (e.g., ECPE, MELAB). The ECCE level si similar to the Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE).

Examinees can use the ECCE certificate as evidence of high-intermediate competence in English for personal, public, educational, and occupational purposes. For example, in several countries the ECCE is used as an exit exam at the end of a course of study. In addition, it is also used to provide evidence of one's level of English to employers. Successful examinees may find an ECCE certificate useful when applying for a job or a promotion, or when conducting business with companies worldwide.

The University of Michigan is committed to excellence in its tests, which are developed in accordance with the highest standards in educational measurement. All parts of the examination are written following specified guidelines, and items are pretested to ensure that they function properly. The ECCE Testing Program works closely with test centers to ensure that its tests are administered in a way that is fair and accessible to examinees and that the ECCE is open to all people who wish to take the exam, regardless of the school they attend.

The ECCE test all four skill areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. It emphasizes the ability to the examinee to communicate effectively in English.

Preparing for the ECCE

The ECCE Testing Program does not recommend any apecific courses of study to be taken in preparation for the ECCE. The best preparation is through the general study and use of English.

Examinees may also find it useful to consult teh sample test items at the end of this booklet in order to familiarize themselves with teh formate of teh test items. In addition, many different publishers produce study guides for the ECCE. A list of preparation materials available and additional sample test items can be found on the ECCE website.

Some local language schools offer courses specifically for learners wising to prepare the ECCE, or may recommend a course of study for learners wishing to take the ECCE. Contact you local test center for information about language courses in your area.

ECCE Format

The following chart describes the format and content of the ECCE.At the end of thid booklet you will find sample items from each section of the test.

Scoring

Each of the four sections of the ECCE is scored separately. The listening and grammar/vocabulary/reading (GVR) section scores are determined by automated scoring by computer at the University of Michigan. The listening and GVR scores range from 0 to 1000.


The speaking and writing sections are graded according to scales established by the ECCE Testing Program. The speaking rating is assigned by trained local examiners. The writing section ratings are assigned by raters trained and certified according to U-M standards. All essays are scored by at least two raters. Ratings range from A to E on the speaking and writing sections. (Charts showing the speaking and writing scales can be found on pp. 13 and 27 of this booklet.)

 
ECCE section scores are reported in five bands. Section scores for listening and GVR are reported as numerical scores; speaking and writing scores are reported as letter scores. The following table shows the numerical score range and letter score that corresponds to each of the five bands or levels.

ECCE Five Levels of Performance

• Examinees with scores in the Low Pass (or higher) in all four sections are awarded an ECCE certificate.
• Examinees with scores in Low Pass (or higher) in three sections and whose other section score falls within
     no less than the Borderline Fail range are also awarded an ECCE certificate.
• A certificate is not awarded to any examinee with a score in the complete Fail range.

receiving results

The University of Michigan ECCE Testing Program does not report results directly to examinees. After all exams in an administration period have been administered and scored, U-M reports examination results to the test centers. The local test center notifies examinees of their results.
 
After results have been reported, U-M sends certificates to the test centers for distribution to successful examinees. U-M also sends an Examination Report for each candidate to the test centers for distribution, regardless of the result.

Examination Reports

All examinees will receive an Examination Report that shows their overall performance as well as their scores on the four sections of the exam. Examinees are given these results so that they will know the areas in which they are doing well and in which they may need to improve.

Rescoring

Examinees who wish to have their exam rescored can get a Rescore Request form from the test center where they took the test. They will return the form to the their test center, along with the corresponding fee.

• Examinees have up to one month after test results have been issued by U-M to request a rescore.
• Examinees receive rescore results after U-M has processed the request and returned the information to the
     test center.
• The ECCE rescore fee is available from the ECCE Testing Program. Please contact us at
      elicertif@umich.edu for information.

Declining or Invalidating Scores

The ECCE is a secure test. The ECCE Testing Program reserves the right to decline to score the ECCE or to invalidate ECCE scores under the circumstances listed below. No exam fees will be refunded and the examinee will not be allowed to take the exam again.

• An examinee misrepresents her/himself; for example, examinee appearance or signature does not match
     picture or signature on the ID.
• There is sufficient evidence that the handwriting on the ECCE composition does not match the examinee’s
     signature.
• The examiner discovers evidence of examinee misconduct during the ECCE administration, including, but
     not limited to, copying answers from another examinee, talking with another examinee during the
     test administration, transferring ECCE test information to any external media, referring to previously
     prepared notes or aids (test preparation books, study guides, dictionaries, etc., are not allowed), creating a
     disturbance, or neglecting to follow the examiner’s instructions.
• There is an unusual discrepancy in the examinee’s performance and/or pattern of answers across test
     sections.
   

Test Takers with Disabilities

The University of Michigan is committed to ensuring that every examinee be able to demonstrate his or her language ability under circumstances that are fair and equitable. For this reason, the ECCE Testing Program allows exam applicants with disabilities to request special accommodations. These accommodations may include changes in the format or the administration of the test.

• visual impairment or blindness
• hearing impairment or deafness
• motor impairment
• psychological and learning disabilities

• wheelchair access
• extended testing time
• additional rest breaks
• reader
• scribe
• recorder to mark answers
• headphones
• alternate test formats (e.g., Braille, large print)
• alternate response formats (e.g., computer for writing section)

How and When to Apply

Examinees should apply directly to the local test center as far in advance as possible from the test date. For special materials, such as Braille or large-print exams, the examinee should apply at least three months before the test date. For administrative modifications, such as extended time, reader, or scribe, the examinee should apply at least one month before the test date. The test center representative will inform the examinee before the exam about what accommodations have been granted.

Required Documentation
 

Documentation from a licensed or certified professional who is qualified to evaluate the examinee’s disability should be submitted to the examination center in advance of the actual test date, at the time when the examinee registers to take the exam. Individuals with disabilities are defined by the American Psychological Association as persons possessing a physical, mental, or developmental impairment that substantially limits one or more of their major life activities. Qualified professionals include physicians, school psychologists, psychometricians, and psychiatrists. Classroom teachers or parents are not considered to be qualified to make a disability determination.

Score Reporting and Certificate Modifications

When there is credible evidence that the scores from a modified examination are comparable to scores from a standard administration, no special indicator is placed on the certificate. When such evidence is lacking, information about the nature of the modification will be provided, if permitted by law, to help test users interpret test results accurately.

In cases where a section of the examination is not given(e.g., the listening section is not administered because the examinee is profoundly deaf), the ECCE Testing Program will issue a modified certificate. The modified certificate will indicate which sections of the exam were taken and passed.

Further Information

Please visit the ECCE website for more information as well as a copy of the manual for test takers with disabilities.

Administration and Test Centers

A new ECCE is administered approximately every six months: in May and in December. Some test centers may administer the ECCE only once a year. The cost of the ECCE also varies from country to country, depending on the local economy. The fee is paid directly to the test center. For specific information about registration procedures, test dates, and fees in your area, contact yourlocal test center.

Visit the ECCE website for a list of all test centers. Contact the testing center nearest you to find out if and when the ECCE is offered in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and how often can I take the ECCE?
Examinees may take the ECCE as often as it is offered. Most test centers offer the ECCE twice a year; once in May and again in December.

Do I have to be a student at the test center in order to take the ECCE there?
No. Test centers are required to offer the ECCE to all interested persons, regardless of whether they are students at the test center.

Should I use a pen or pencil on the writing section?
Examinees must use a pencil on the writing section.

Can I use a dictionary during the exam?
No. Examinees are not allowed to use any aids during the exam.

Can I make notes in my test booklet?
In Part 2 of the listening section of the ECCE, examinees are encouraged to take notes in the test booklet as they listen. Otherwise, it is not necessary. Examinees should not mark answers in the test booklet; answers should be marked on the separate answer sheet.

If I don’t know the answer to a question, should I guess or leave the answer blank?
If you don’t know the answer to a question, you should make an educated guess. There is no extra penalty for wrong answers.

What happens if I mark more than one answer to a question?
The question will be marked wrong, even if one of the marked answer choices is correct.

If I use alternate English accents or spellings in the speaking or writing sections, will I be penalized?
No.

Who scores the speaking section?
The local oral examiner who administers your speaking test will score your speaking test.

Who scores the writing section?
The writing section is scored by raters trained and certified according to University of Michigan standards.

How long does it take to receive test results?
Examinees should expect to receive their results within one to two months after taking the exam.

How do I receive my results?
The test center where you took the exam will notify you of your results.

Can I replace a missing or lost certificate?
Once certificates have been sent to test centers, the University of Michigan will not issue duplicate certificates or copies of Exam Reports. You may contact your center to request a letter specifying the test you took, when you took it, and the final result.

How does the ECCE relate to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)?
The content and difficulty of the ECCE is aimed at the B2 (Independent User, Vantage) level.

How can I get more information about University of michigan exams?
Additional information about the ECCE and other University of Michigan exams can be found at the ECCE website.

For specific information about test dates, registration procedures, and test fees in your area, contact your local test center.

ECCE Resources

Visit the ECCE exams section for a general overview of the ECCE and information about ECCE format, preparation, scheduling and registration, and results.

Information Bulletin

The ECCE Information Bulletin (PDF) provides an overview of the exam and includes information about test content, scoring, results, rating scales, as well as sample items.

Registration Form

ECCE Registration Form (PDF)

Support Materials

ECCE sample tests, writing prompts, speaking prompts, and other materials.

Writing Benchmarks

These ECCE sample essays (PDF) from the writing section are benchmarks that have been commented upon by trained raters at Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments. A passing score on the writing section is a rating of C or higher on the A to E scale of the ECCE Writing Levels (PDF).

Scaled Scores

The following document helps explain questions we often receive about scaled scores: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Scaled Scores on the ECCE and ECPE (PDF).

Speaking Score Levels

A passing score on the ECCE speaking test is a rating of C or higher on the A to E scale of the ECCE Speaking Score Levels (PDF).

Reports

ECCE administration reports are prepared twice annually.

Test Center Order Form

Test centers can order exam materials by using the ECCE Exam Materials Order Form.

Test Center Rescore Request Form

ECCE & ECPE Rescore Request Form (PDF)

ECCE Testing Dates