English Language Teaching

Display options

The Oxford Test of English is available with different display options. You can take the Oxford Test of English in high contrast (light text on a dark background) or pastel (dark text on a pastel background).

Enlarged text

• You can take the test with enlarged text size (24 pixels).
• Please note that enlarged text size may increase the need for scrolling on the screen.
• You can view the above display and text options in the online demo.

What to do if you have visual requirements:

1. Take the demo to decide which display options are best for you.
2. Complete the Special Requirements Request Form (PDF, 0.1 MB).
3. Give the form to your test centre and book your test at least one month in advance.
4. Register when you receive a registration email.
5. On test day, the test centre helps you set up the test.
6. Take the test!

If you have specific access needs (e.g. wheelchair access or adapted seating requirements), please describe them on the Special Requirements Request Form. Please note that not every Oxford Test of English test centre can meet all physical access requests.

1. Complete the Special Requirements Request Form. (PDF, 0.1 MB)
2. Give the form to your test centre and book your test at least one month in advance.
3. Register when you receive a registration email.
4. Test day: the test centre accommodates your needs.
5. Take the test

Extra time

You can request extra time to complete the Reading and / or Writing modules of the Oxford Test of English if this would help you. Extra time will be added to the whole time limit of the relevant module.

You can request extra time for one or both of the modules, depending on the nature of their condition. 25% extra time is available for each module.

All requests for extra time must be made in advance and supported by medical evidence. Please note that extra time is not currently available for the Speaking or Listening modules.

Private test sessions

You may be able to take your test in a private test session with a single invigilator. All requests for a private test session must be supported by medical evidence.

Please note that a private test session might not be available at all test centres.

Breaks between modules

The Oxford Test of English includes four modules: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. The whole test takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

You can request rest breaks between the test modules if this would be helpful to you. All requests for breaks between modules must be supported by medical evidence.

What to do if you need extra time, a private test session, or breaks between modules:

To request extra time, a private test session, or breaks between modules, you’ll need to provide evidence of your condition (e.g. a medical certificate). To do this:

1. Get supporting evidence of your condition. Supporting evidence must:
   • Be written by a qualified doctor, psychologist or other professional
   • Include the name, professional qualification(s) and address of the person providing the evidence.
   • Be in English, or professional translated into English from an original document in another language.
2. Complete the Special Requirements Request Form. (PDF, 0.1 MB)
3. Give the form and supporting evidence to your test centre and book your test at least three months in advance.
   • For temporary conditions, you’ll need evidence written in a suitable time period to confirm that the condition is still valid.
   • For permanent conditions, there is no time requirement.
4. Register your Oxford Test of English account using the invitation email from your test centre.
5. Go to your test centre on the test day. Take the test.

For the options below you do not need to fill in the Special Requirements Request Form. You register with your test centre in the usual way and inform the test centre on the test day about your needs.

Reading support device

Test takers may use their own text isolation reading card – also known as a ‘text window’ – to aid focus on the specific area of text they are reading. This must be provided by the test taker and approved by the test centre on the day of the test. For security reasons, any reading cards must be free of writing.

Hand-held text magnifier

Test takers may use their own non-electronic hand-held text magnifier to add focus on specific text. This must be provided by the test taker and approved by the test centre on the day of the test.

Hearing difficulties

The Oxford Test of English is taken on a computer and all test takers wear individual headsets and can adjust the volume on the computer to meet the ideal level for their needs in the Speaking and Listening test modules. There is no audio in the Reading or Writing modules.