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100+ Free iTEP Academic-Core Practice Questions

Pass your iTEP Academic-Core (International Test of English Proficiency) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Read the passage: "Public transportation reduces the number of cars on the road, which lowers both traffic congestion and air pollution. For these reasons, many cities are investing heavily in expanding their bus and rail networks." According to the passage, why are cities expanding public transportation?

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Key Facts: iTEP Academic-Core Exam

iTEP Academic-Core is a 60-minute internet-based English test with three equally weighted multiple-choice sections (Grammar, Listening, Reading), scored 0.0-6.0 and aligned to CEFR levels A1-C2 for college admission and placement.

Sample iTEP Academic-Core Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your iTEP Academic-Core exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1By the time the lecture ended, most of the students _____ their notes.
A.finishing
B.had finished
C.have finished
D.will finish
Explanation: The past perfect "had finished" describes an action completed before another past event (the lecture ending). The phrase "by the time" with a past clause signals that one action was already complete before the other.
2The professor explained the theory _____ clearly that everyone understood it.
A.very
B.too
C.so
D.such
Explanation: "So" modifies the adverb "clearly" in the "so + adverb + that" construction expressing result. The pattern "so clearly that" links the manner to its consequence.
3Neither the students nor the teacher _____ ready for the unexpected announcement.
A.were
B.have been
C.are being
D.was
Explanation: With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject, which is the singular "the teacher," so "was" is correct. Proximity governs agreement in correlative subjects.
4She asked me _____ I had finished reading the assigned chapter.
A.whether
B.that
C.what
D.which
Explanation: "Whether" introduces an indirect yes/no question, which is what the sentence reports. It signals an embedded question without a question mark.
5If I _____ more time, I would have revised the entire essay.
A.would have
B.had
C.had had
D.have had
Explanation: The third conditional uses "if + past perfect" in the if-clause, so "had had" is correct with the "would have revised" result. It describes an unreal situation in the past.
6The new library, _____ opened last month, has quickly become popular with students.
A.who
B.where
C.whom
D.which
Explanation: "Which" is the relative pronoun for a non-human subject (the library) in a non-defining clause. It correctly introduces extra information set off by commas.
7Students are expected to submit their reports _____ Friday afternoon.
A.during
B.by
C.until
D.since
Explanation: "By" indicates a deadline meaning "no later than" Friday afternoon. It marks the latest acceptable point for completing the action.
8The committee has not yet decided _____ to hold the conference in spring or autumn.
A.whether
B.if
C.that
D.unless
Explanation: "Whether" is required before a "to + infinitive" alternative and pairs with "or" to present two choices. "If" cannot precede an infinitive in this structure.
9_____ the heavy rain, the field trip continued as planned.
A.Although
B.However
C.Because of
D.Despite
Explanation: "Despite" is a preposition followed by the noun phrase "the heavy rain" and shows contrast with the result. It concedes an obstacle without changing the outcome.
10This is the most interesting research paper _____ I have ever read.
A.whom
B.that
C.what
D.which one
Explanation: After a superlative like "the most interesting," "that" is the preferred relative pronoun introducing the defining clause. It refers back to "research paper."

About the iTEP Academic-Core Exam

The iTEP Academic-Core is the multiple-choice version of the International Test of English Proficiency, used by colleges and universities for admissions, placement and progress measurement. It is a 60-minute internet-based test (including about 10 minutes of pre-test preparation) that measures three skills through four-option multiple-choice questions: Grammar (Structure), Listening and Reading. The Grammar section has 25 items split between sentence-completion and error-identification; Listening has 14 items based on short conversations, a longer conversation and an academic lecture; and Reading has 10 items based on two academic passages. Each section is weighted equally, results on the multiple-choice sections are available quickly, and there is no penalty for guessing. Scores are reported on a 0.0-6.0 scale aligned to the CEFR (A1-C2), and the Academic-Plus version adds writing and speaking.

Questions

49 scored questions

Time Limit

60 minutes total, including about 10 minutes of pre-test preparation; Grammar 10 minutes, Listening 20 minutes, Reading 20 minutes.

Passing Score

Scored 0.0 to 6.0 (0.5 increments) overall and per skill, aligned to CEFR A1-C2; there is no universal pass mark, and institutions typically require about 3.5-4.0 (CEFR B1-B2) for admission.

Exam Fee

About USD 129 for the exam plus a required USD 12 proctoring and delivery fee (roughly USD 141 total); fees vary by test center and country. (iTEP International, LLC)

iTEP Academic-Core Exam Content Outline

33%

Grammar (Structure)

Fill-in-the-blank sentence completion and error-identification multiple-choice items on tenses, agreement, conditionals, relative clauses, comparatives, the subjunctive and parallel structure.

33%

Listening

Multiple-choice comprehension of four short conversations, one 2-3 minute conversation and one 4-minute academic lecture, testing main idea, detail and inference.

33%

Reading

Multiple-choice comprehension of one ~250-word and one ~450-word academic passage, testing main idea, detail, vocabulary in context, inference and author's purpose.

How to Pass the iTEP Academic-Core Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Scored 0.0 to 6.0 (0.5 increments) overall and per skill, aligned to CEFR A1-C2; there is no universal pass mark, and institutions typically require about 3.5-4.0 (CEFR B1-B2) for admission.
  • Exam length: 49 questions
  • Time limit: 60 minutes total, including about 10 minutes of pre-test preparation; Grammar 10 minutes, Listening 20 minutes, Reading 20 minutes.
  • Exam fee: About USD 129 for the exam plus a required USD 12 proctoring and delivery fee (roughly USD 141 total); fees vary by test center and country.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

iTEP Academic-Core Study Tips from Top Performers

1Review core academic grammar, focusing on verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, conditionals, relative clauses and the subjunctive used after verbs like suggest and insist.
2Practice both iTEP grammar question types: choosing the word that correctly completes a sentence and identifying the one incorrect word or phrase in a sentence.
3Train your listening by taking notes on short conversations and academic lectures, since the listening audio plays only once and cannot be replayed.
4Read academic passages on science, history and social topics, and practice finding the main idea, specific details, vocabulary in context and the author's purpose.
5Work under timed conditions: Grammar allows 10 minutes, and Listening and Reading allow 20 minutes each, so build speed alongside accuracy.
6Answer every question because there is no penalty for guessing, and use elimination to improve your odds on harder upper-level items.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the iTEP Academic-Core?

The iTEP Academic-Core is the multiple-choice version of the International Test of English Proficiency. It is a 60-minute internet-based test that measures grammar, listening and reading for college and university admissions, placement and progress.

How is the iTEP Academic-Core different from the Academic-Plus?

The Academic-Core tests only grammar, listening and reading through multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes. The Academic-Plus adds writing and speaking samples and takes 90 minutes, with those sections graded by trained human raters.

How is the iTEP Academic-Core scored?

Each of the three sections is scored automatically and weighted equally. Results are reported as an overall level and per-skill levels from 0.0 (Beginner) to 6.0 (Mastery) in 0.5 increments, aligned to the CEFR (A1-C2).

How many questions are on the iTEP Academic-Core?

It has 49 multiple-choice questions: 25 grammar items, 14 listening items (short conversations, a conversation and a lecture) and 10 reading items across two passages, each with four answer choices.

Is there a penalty for wrong answers on the iTEP?

No. Each question is worth the same, and there is no penalty for guessing or incorrect answers on the multiple-choice sections, so test takers should attempt every question.

How much does the iTEP Academic exam cost?

The iTEP Academic exam costs about USD 129 plus a required USD 12 proctoring and delivery fee, for a typical total of around USD 141. Prices vary by test center and country.