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Information
If you are not a native English speaker you will need to take an ELA exam. To determine whether you are required to take the English Language Assessment (ELA), you are asked questions in your application that will help determine your English proficiency.
 
You are required to answer the following questions honestly: 
  1. Is English your first/native language?
  2. Is English the language you use most?
  3. Was English the language you spoke in high school/secondary school?
  4. Is English the primary language you speak at home?
  5. Is English the primary language you use at work, or outside of the home?
 
If you need to take an ELA exam before being accepted into the PathwayConnect the ELA exam will be placed into the application. You will take the ELA in your homes, or wherever you are applying for the program. The test is adaptive, which means it will change based on your progress and answers. The test should take 1.5-2 hours, but this depends on each individual. The exam is scored automatically and you will be notified if you qualify for PathwayConnect. 
  • If you receive a qualifying score: you will be admitted to the PathwayConnect program and will be directed to complete the registration.
  • If you did not receive a qualifying score: you will be notified that you are ineligible and will be invited to participate in EnglishConnect or retake the exam (you will need to reach out to PathwayConnect to retake it).
The test is divided into four sections:
  • Vocabulary
  • Listening (see section 4 if the student is deaf)
  • Grammar
  • Reading
Retaking the ELA
If you did not receive a qualifying score you may choose to retake the test, but must wait at least 30 days from the date you took the assessment. 

If you need to repeat the ELA, you may use these resources to help you practice and improve your English:
 
Technical Issues During the ELA Exam
A technical issue could include (but is not limited to) the following:
  • Power outage
  • Computer glitch
  • Lost internet connection
If you experienced a technical issue while taking the ELA, you can petition to have the ELA reset by using this general petition form.
(Note: in this situation, you will not have to wait 30 days after taking the test in order to petition.)
 
Information
TOEFL
The TOEFL test may be accepted as a replacement for the ELA. You must TOEFL result, and it must be from the last 24 months with the minimum scores as follows:

Writing - 15
Reading - 15
Listening - 15
Speaking - 15
 
OPIc
If you are a missionary whose first language is not English and are serving in an English-speaking mission you will take a test called the OPIc. You are asked within the PathwayConnect application if you have taken the OPIc. If you have taken the OPIc, you will be able to submit your score as part of the application process. 

 

Elicited Intelligence (EI)
This exam is for current missionaries.
 

If you have completed the EI (Elicited Imitation) test with a qualifying score while on your mission you will not be required to take an English assessment as part of the PathwayConnect admission process. If you do not have a qualifying EI score you will be required to complete the English Language Assessment. 
 

A qualifying score for PathwayConnect is 6.5 or above. Scores are valid for up to 1 year after the test date. 

 

Scores will automatically be pulled from the MTC database. You must use the Church account associated with your membership record number (MRN) so that the MTC data can be matched with your admissions application. 

 
Information
The English Placement Assessment is valid for a year. If you are returning to PathwayConnect and took the ELA less than a year ago, you will not need to retake the ELA. 

If you have previously applied to PathwayConnect and took the old language assessment will need to take the ELA unless you have completed a term of PathwayConnect, even with a failing grade.
 
Information
If you are deaf or hard of hearing and flagged to take an English proficiency assessment it is required to take all portions of the assessment, with the exception of the listening portion, in order to qualify for admittance. To get the listening portion waived Enrollment Services will need to assist. Create a ticket for Enrollment Services Queue.
 
Information
Step 1 Basic troubleshooting:
  • Switch to a different recommended browser. (Recommended browsers are, in best order: Google Chrome, the latest version of Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox. Internet Explorer and Apple's Safari are not recommended browsers.) 
  • Clear all cache and cookies (see tutorial below for additional information)
  • Use an incognito page (Chrome- CTRL+Shift+N)
  • Make sure that the computer is not requesting updates
  • Use the direct link for the ELA: English Language Assessment
If the internet and/or power shut off while the applicant was taking the ELA, the application will return the individual to where they left off.
For more help, see these tutorials:
Step 2 If Issue Persists After Troubleshooting
Create a ticket for Mentors
1/12/24
Keywords: Admissions, ELA