Free Practice Questions for STEP English
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Key Facts: STEP English Exam
STEP (Standardized Test of English Proficiency) is administered by the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas) under ETEC in Saudi Arabia.
ETEC lists three scored STEP sections: Reading Comprehension, Grammar Structures, and Listening Comprehension.
STEP section weights are Reading Comprehension 40%, Grammar Structures 40%, and Listening Comprehension 20% (ETEC).
STEP has no official universal passing mark, and ETEC does not publish its score scale; institutions set their own minimum requirements.
ETEC does not publish the STEP item count or test duration.
STEP is a distinct test from Qiyas's GAT (Qudurat) aptitude test, which measures verbal and quantitative reasoning rather than English proficiency.
The STEP fee is 150 SAR inside Saudi Arabia and 200 SAR outside the Kingdom (ETEC).
STEP results are valid for three years from the test date (ETEC).
STEP results are used for university admission, English course exemption, graduate program entry, teaching licensure, and some job applications in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia's STEP (Standardized Test of English Proficiency), from ETEC/Qiyas, is a computer-based English test split into Reading Comprehension (40%), Grammar Structures (40%), and Listening Comprehension (20%), with no fixed pass mark (ETEC does not publish the score scale). It costs 150 SAR inside Saudi Arabia (200 SAR outside), and results are valid for three years.
Sample STEP English Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the STEP English exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 122+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Passage: "Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity using a material called silicon. When sunlight strikes silicon cells, electrons are knocked loose and begin to flow, creating an electric current. Because sunlight is free and renewable, solar power produces no fuel costs and very little pollution once panels are installed. However, solar panels generate electricity efficiently only during daylight hours, so many solar systems rely on batteries or a connection to the traditional power grid to supply electricity at night or on cloudy days." What is the main idea of the passage?
2Passage: "Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity using a material called silicon. When sunlight strikes silicon cells, electrons are knocked loose and begin to flow, creating an electric current. Because sunlight is free and renewable, solar power produces no fuel costs and very little pollution once panels are installed. However, solar panels generate electricity efficiently only during daylight hours, so many solar systems rely on batteries or a connection to the traditional power grid to supply electricity at night or on cloudy days." According to the passage, what happens when sunlight strikes silicon cells?
3Passage: "Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity using a material called silicon. When sunlight strikes silicon cells, electrons are knocked loose and begin to flow, creating an electric current. Because sunlight is free and renewable, solar power produces no fuel costs and very little pollution once panels are installed. However, solar panels generate electricity efficiently only during daylight hours, so many solar systems rely on batteries or a connection to the traditional power grid to supply electricity at night or on cloudy days." Why do many solar power systems rely on batteries or the power grid?
4Passage: "Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity using a material called silicon. When sunlight strikes silicon cells, electrons are knocked loose and begin to flow, creating an electric current. Because sunlight is free and renewable, solar power produces no fuel costs and very little pollution once panels are installed. However, solar panels generate electricity efficiently only during daylight hours, so many solar systems rely on batteries or a connection to the traditional power grid to supply electricity at night or on cloudy days." In the passage, the word "efficiently" most nearly means:
5Passage: "Bees play a crucial role in producing much of the food humans eat. As a bee collects nectar from a flower, pollen grains stick to its body. When the bee visits another flower, some of this pollen rubs off, fertilizing the plant and allowing it to produce seeds and fruit. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that pollinators affect about 35 percent of the world's crop production by volume. In recent decades, bee populations in several regions have declined sharply because of disease, pesticide exposure, and the loss of wildflower habitats, raising concern among farmers and researchers alike." What happens to pollen grains when a bee visits a flower?
6Passage: "Bees play a crucial role in producing much of the food humans eat. As a bee collects nectar from a flower, pollen grains stick to its body. When the bee visits another flower, some of this pollen rubs off, fertilizing the plant and allowing it to produce seeds and fruit. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that pollinators affect about 35 percent of the world's crop production by volume. In recent decades, bee populations in several regions have declined sharply because of disease, pesticide exposure, and the loss of wildflower habitats, raising concern among farmers and researchers alike." According to the passage, approximately what fraction of global crop production by volume is affected by pollinators?
7Passage: "Bees play a crucial role in producing much of the food humans eat. As a bee collects nectar from a flower, pollen grains stick to its body. When the bee visits another flower, some of this pollen rubs off, fertilizing the plant and allowing it to produce seeds and fruit. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that pollinators affect about 35 percent of the world's crop production by volume. In recent decades, bee populations in several regions have declined sharply because of disease, pesticide exposure, and the loss of wildflower habitats, raising concern among farmers and researchers alike." What can be inferred about the relationship between bee populations and food production?
8Passage: "Bees play a crucial role in producing much of the food humans eat. As a bee collects nectar from a flower, pollen grains stick to its body. When the bee visits another flower, some of this pollen rubs off, fertilizing the plant and allowing it to produce seeds and fruit. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that pollinators affect about 35 percent of the world's crop production by volume. In recent decades, bee populations in several regions have declined sharply because of disease, pesticide exposure, and the loss of wildflower habitats, raising concern among farmers and researchers alike." According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a cause of declining bee populations?
9Passage: "Researchers have found that sleep plays an important role in helping the brain store new information. During certain stages of sleep, the brain replays patterns of activity that occurred while a person was learning something new, strengthening the connections between neurons involved in that memory. Studies have shown that students who sleep well after studying tend to recall material better than those who stay up all night reviewing the same material. For this reason, many sleep researchers recommend that students prioritize a full night's sleep before an exam rather than cramming through the night." What is the passage mainly about?
10Passage: "Researchers have found that sleep plays an important role in helping the brain store new information. During certain stages of sleep, the brain replays patterns of activity that occurred while a person was learning something new, strengthening the connections between neurons involved in that memory. Studies have shown that students who sleep well after studying tend to recall material better than those who stay up all night reviewing the same material. For this reason, many sleep researchers recommend that students prioritize a full night's sleep before an exam rather than cramming through the night." According to the passage, what happens in the brain during certain stages of sleep?
About the STEP English Exam
The Standardized Test of English Proficiency (STEP) is a computer-based English proficiency test administered by the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas) under ETEC in Saudi Arabia. It measures general English proficiency, benchmarked against frameworks similar to the CEFR, for university admission, course exemption, graduate program entry, teaching licensure, and job applications. The exam has three scored sections: Reading Comprehension (40%), Grammar Structures (40%), and Listening Comprehension (20%); ETEC does not publish the item count or test duration, and results are valid for three years. It is distinct from Qiyas's GAT/Qudurat aptitude test and from the Hamza Arabic-proficiency test, and it does not have a universal passing score; individual institutions set their own minimum requirements.
Exam sponsor: National Center for Assessment (Qiyas), under the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Computer-based multiple-choice test with three scored sections: Reading Comprehension (40%), Grammar Structures (40%), and Listening Comprehension (20%). ETEC does not publish the number of questions or the test duration.
Time Limit
Not published by ETEC
Passing Score
Score scale not published by ETEC, and there is no official universal pass mark; universities, scholarship programs, and employers each set their own minimum requirement, which vary by institution and program.
Exam / Certification Fees
150 SAR inside Saudi Arabia; 200 SAR outside the Kingdom (ETEC). Confirm the current fee in your Qiyas e-services account.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Reading Comprehension
Short passages followed by questions on main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context, and author's purpose or organization.
Grammar Structures
Verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, conditionals, prepositions, conjunctions/connectors, relative clauses, comparatives, and sentence structure.
Listening Comprehension
Short conversations and talks tested through transcript-style comprehension questions on main idea, detail, inference, and speaker purpose.
Preparing for the STEP English Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Score scale not published by ETEC, and there is no official universal pass mark; universities, scholarship programs, and employers each set their own minimum requirement, which vary by institution and program.
- Assessment: Computer-based multiple-choice test with three scored sections: Reading Comprehension (40%), Grammar Structures (40%), and Listening Comprehension (20%). ETEC does not publish the number of questions or the test duration.
- Time limit: Not published by ETEC
- Exam / certification fees: 150 SAR inside Saudi Arabia; 200 SAR outside the Kingdom (ETEC). Confirm the current fee in your Qiyas e-services account. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 122 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
STEP English: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the STEP test and who administers it?
STEP (Standardized Test of English Proficiency) is a computer-based English proficiency test administered by the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas) under Saudi Arabia's Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC). It measures general English proficiency for university admission, course exemption, graduate study, teaching licensure, and job applications.
How many questions are on the STEP test and how is it structured?
ETEC lists three scored sections: Reading Comprehension (40%), Grammar Structures (40%), and Listening Comprehension (20%). ETEC does not publish the number of questions, so treat any item count you see in unofficial material as unverified.
Is there a passing score on the STEP test?
No. STEP reports a proficiency score rather than a pass/fail outcome, and ETEC's STEP page does not publish the score scale. Individual universities, scholarship programs, and employers set their own minimum score requirements, which vary by institution and program.
How long does the STEP test take?
ETEC's STEP page does not publish the test duration. Check the appointment details in your Qiyas e-services account and arrive early for check-in.
Is sa-etec-step-english the same test as the GAT (Qudurat)?
No. STEP is a distinct English-proficiency test from Qiyas's General Aptitude Test (GAT/Qudurat), which measures verbal and quantitative reasoning rather than English proficiency. They are administered by the same center but assess different skills.
How much does the STEP test cost?
ETEC lists the STEP fee as 150 SAR inside Saudi Arabia and 200 SAR outside the Kingdom. Confirm the current fee in your Qiyas e-services account before registering, since fees can change.
How long are STEP results valid?
STEP results are valid for three years from the test date, according to ETEC.