F-1 English Language Proficiency (ESL)

Prospective international students include those who are requesting a new, Initial Form I-20 for initial attendance at OCC or Change of Status. Outlined below are the testing options accepted at OCC for English proficiency. 

TOEFL Scores

If your TOEFL iBT score is not more than a year old and an overall 79 iBT with a 24 in writing, you will be eligible for an Associate’s Level I-20. You must submit a copy of your official score as required documentation in your I-20 request.

Students with TOEFL scores that do not meet the 79 iBT with a 24 in writing requirement must complete the DuoLingo English Placement Testing process outlined below and receive their scores from OCC before requesting their Form I-20 in the F-1 Portal. 

IELTS Scores 

If your IELTS score is no more than a year old and the overall score is 6.5 or higher, you will be eligible for an Associate’s Level I-20.  You must submit a copy of your official score as required documentation in your I-20 request

Students with IELTS score that do not meet the overall 6.5 requirement must complete the DuoLingo English Placement Testing process outlined below and receive their scores from OCC before requesting their Form I-20 in the F-1 Portal.

DuoLingo English Placement Test

Students who do not have a TOEFL or IELTS test result must complete a DuoLingo English Placement Test. OCC provides a coupon code for students to take the test once at no cost to them. 

How to Access the DuoLingo Test

• • Log in to MyOCC
  • Select Pre-Registration Steps card
  • Select Duolingo ESL Placement
    

How to Complete the Test 

• You must use the OCC Coupon Code provided.  No payment is required. If you requested a code and have not received it via your OCC Student email address, email ESLP@oaklandcc.edu for more information. 
  
  
• You must use a laptop or desktop PC or MAC with a camera and a microphone. If you do not have access to this technology, email ESLP@oaklandcc.edu.
  
  
• You cannot use a smartphone, tablet or Chromebook.
  
  

• Students who have a previous DuoLingo account MUST use their original DuoLingo account when completing the test. The OCC coupon code will still be accepted. 

Receiving Results

Results from the DuoLingo English Placement Test will be emailed to you directly from the ESLP faculty to your OCC student email account. Save a copy of this email to upload in your Form I-20 request within the F-1 Portal. 

Questions regarding English Placement and Testing

All questions related to English placement, testing options or exemptions should be directed to ESLP@oaklandcc.edu The International Student Services team does not score ESL tests or provide placement recommendations.  

Transfer students are current F-1 students studying in the U.S. who are seeking to transfer to OCC for a future semester. 

Current U.S. Transcripts

Students who have studied at an accredited U.S. college or university and have taken a course equivalent to OCC’s English 1510, Composition I, and received a “C” or better in the course are exempt from providing English Placement Test scores. Students must upload a copy of their transcript to the F-1 Transfer In request in the F-1 Portal. Students will need to request an official transcript be sent to OCC for credits to transfer. 

TOEFL Scores

If your TOEFL iBT score is not more than a year old and an overall 79 iBT with a 24 in writing, you will be eligible for an Associate’s Level I-20. You must submit a copy of your official score as required documentation in your I-20 request
Students with TOEFL scores that do not meet the 79 iBT with a 24 in writing requirement must complete the DuoLingo English Placement Testing process outlined below and receive their scores from OCC before requesting their Form I-20 in the F-1 Portal. 

IELTS Scores 

If your IELTS score is no more than a year old and overall score is 6.5 or higher, you will be eligible for an Associate’s Level I-20.  You must submit a copy of your official score as required documentation in your I-20 request

Students with IELTS score that do not meet the overall 6.5 requirement must complete the DuoLingo English Placement Testing process outlined below and receive their scores from OCC before requesting their Form I-20 in the F-1 Portal.

DuoLingo English Placement Test

Students who do not have a TOEFL or IELTS test result are eligible to complete a DuoLingo English Placement Test. OCC provides a coupon code for students to take the test once at no cost to them. 

How to Access DuoLingo Test

• Log in to MyOCC
• Select Pre-Registration Steps card
• Select Duolingo ESL Placement

How to Complete the Test: 

• You must use the OCC Coupon Code provided.  No payment is required. If you requested a code and have not received it via your OCC Student email address, email ESLP@oaklandcc.edu for more information. 
• You must use a laptop or desktop PC or MAC with a camera and a microphone. If you do not have access to this technology, email ESLP@oaklandcc.edu
• You cannot use a smartphone, tablet or Chromebook. 
• Students who have a previous DuoLingo account MUST use their original DuoLingo account when completing the test. The OCC coupon code will still be accepted. 

Receiving Results

Results from the DuoLingo English Placement Test will be emailed to you directly from the ESLP faculty to your OCC student email account. Save a copy of this email to upload in your Form I-20 request within the F-1 Portal. 

Questions regarding English Placement and Testing

All questions related to English placement, testing options, or exemptions should be directed to ESLP@oaklandcc.edu. The International Student Services team does not score ESL tests or provide placement recommendations.