Placement test for ESL and FLS courses

For ESL only: Verify if you are eligible to an exemption from the test (see below).

Method of payment valid until October 23^rd, 2025: Once you have accessed the FLS/ESL placement test, a $33.00 non-refundable fee will be added to your Statement of account which can be viewed in uoZone. Please ensure that you access and run the right test.

*NEW*: For all ESL or FLS placement tests taken on or after October 24, 2025, the payment process is changing. From now on, payments must be completed through the university’s online platform, the eStore. When you request access to your test, you’ll be able to use the hyperlink provided to go directly to the eStore page.

If you’re unable to complete your payment using the hyperlink in the test portal, you can also go to the payment page by following the appropriate link below:

• Payment for the FLS courses test
• Payment for the ESL courses test

Please note: These fees are non-refundable. The test results are valid for 1 calendar year from the initial date of your test.

You MAY be exempt from the Online ESL Placement Test if you meet ALL of the following conditions:

1. You are enrolled in an English-language program and your first language is not English.
2. At the time of your admission to the University of Ottawa, you submitted a language test score (e.g., IELTS, CanTEST, CAEL or TOEFL) which granted you unconditional admission to your program of studies (i.e., you were not required to take any ESL credit courses as part of your offer of admission); and,
3. You are interested in taking an advanced-level credit course in the English language, at the ESL 2300 level or above.

If you meet ALL THREE of these conditions, please complete the form to have your information verified and to request an exemption from the Online ESL Placement Test.  You will receive an email with your exemption status for the Online ESL Placement Test.

If you are granted an exemption, your ESL course registration MUST be done with assistance; the University’s online course registration system will not let you register in a language course without a Placement Test score.

If you are an undergraduate student and you are exempt from taking the Online ESL Placement
Test, you will be directed to contact your Faculty for assistance with registration in an advanced-level ESL credit course.

If you are a graduate student and you are exempt from taking the Online ESL Placement Test, please contact OLBI directly for assistance with registration in an advanced-level ESL credit course.

The English Placement Test includes:

• A series of various grammar items to complete. Each sentence contains a blank where you must choose the appropriate term from multiple options.
• A series of various student task samples. You will need to choose the task performance shown that best matches the level you believe you are at.
• 1 question about your preferred learning style.

Test-takers must allow two hours to write the test, but may finish more quickly.

The French Placement Test includes:

• A series of various grammar items to complete. Each sentence contains a blank where you must choose the appropriate term from multiple options.
• A series of various student task samples. You will need to choose the task performance shown that best matches the level you believe you are at.
• 1 question about your preferred learning style.

Test-takers must allow two hours to write the test but may finish more quickly.

Please note that students who have conditional offers are not required to take the placement test. 

For ESL courses:

1. Follow the login steps outlined in the XpressLab - Language testing portal.
2. After you login, find Placement Test for ESL Courses - Test de Classement Pour Cours ESL in the Available Tests list.
3. Click on the Request Access button next to the test title.
4. Complete the test payment on the eStore platform. Without payment, access to the test will not be granted.
5. Wait to receive access to the test. Access is granted within 1 to 3 business days following the payment. An automatic email is sent to the address associated with your Xpresslab portal account. If you do not receive an email, simply log in to the platform to verify your access.
6. Write the test and view your results immediately after submitting the test.

For FLS courses:

1. Follow the login steps outlined in the XpressLab - Language testing portal.
2. After you login, find Test de Classement Pour Cours FLS - Placement Test for FLS Courses in the Available Tests list.
3. Click on the Request Access button next to the test title.
4. Complete the test payment on the eStore platform. Without payment, access to the test will not be granted.
5. Wait to receive access to the test. Access is granted within 1 to 3 business days following the payment. An automatic email is sent to the address associated with your Xpresslab portal account. If you do not receive an email, simply log in to the platform to verify your access.
6. Write the test and view your results immediately after submitting the test.

You will receive a list of courses for which you may register. This is the starting point for your second language studies at uOttawa. Please go to OLBI’s course registration page for more information about the courses and how to register for them.