Cambridge English Placement Test (CEPT) - FAQs

How long does CEPT take?

The test takes approximately 30 minutes - it is not possible to set a specific time limit and no timer is displayed. The test will not end abruptly and will allow the candidate to complete the task they are on. The test ends once the candidate's level has been determined, specifically when the candidate clicks on the arrow to go to the next task. 

What are the Minimum System Requirements?

You can find the list of technical requirements here. 

I forgot my password, how do I reset it?

If you forget your password you can use the Forgotten your password link on the login page. Please follow the steps below to change your password:

1. Click on the Forgotten your password link
2. Enter your User Id and Institution Id
3. Click Continue
4. Click on the link in the email
5. Enter a new password
6. Click Continue
7. Log in with your new password

My candidate is unable to log in, what should I do?

1. Please check that the candidate is trying to access the correct URL – https://www.metritests.com/metrica
2. Please check if the candidate entered the correct User ID, Password and Institution ID (your Agent ID). You can find step-by-step instructions explaining how you can access your candidates' logins here.
3. Check that no additional spaces were added to the candidate's username or password (especially at the start and end) when their logins were created.
4. Logins are case-sensitive, so please make sure the candidate is using the correct case.
5. If candidates enter their login details incorrectly on five consecutive occasions, their account will be locked for 30 minutes. Please contact us here if you need them unlocked.  

How can I add a Location/Client?

We create the Location and Clients for you. Please fill in the form available on our support site to request a new Location or Client.

Can I add additional users?

Yes, you can create additional users and assign them various roles. You can find information on different roles available and instructions on how to add users here.

Can a user have more than one user role?

Yes, a user can have multiple roles. For example, if you assign a user the CEPT_Entries user role and the CEPT_Purchasing user role they will be able to buy tests and make entries, but they will not be able to view results. If a user has all three roles they will be able to do everything an Agent can do but they won't be able to create or manage users.

I have deleted my default session. What should I do?

All Agents have a default session set up when they are first created. If you have deleted your default session, please contact us and we can re-create it for you.

Is the test invigilated?

CEPT is a self-access test, meaning that no invigilation/proctoring is required. However, institutions using the test may well decide to invigilate/proctor the test to meet their own requirements and this can be done at their own discretion.

How is the test marked?

The Reading and Listening test is auto-marked and the results are made available instantly.

How do I access candidates' results?

You can access your candidates' results on the test portal. You can find a useful tutorial with step-by-step instructions here.

How can candidates access their results?

Candidates are able to access their results on the test portal providing the Session has been set up to allow this.

Why are no results available in the test portal for my session?

If your candidates' results are not available, it's possible that they have not completed the test. In the first instance, please check your candidates' status. If their status is Incomplete, they will need to log back in and finish the test. If the status is Complete but you are not able to access their results, please contact us here.

What CEFR levels does CEPT cover?

The majority of candidates taking CEPT fall within the A1 - B2 proficiency bracket on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). As a result, the test has been designed to test these levels of the CEFR most robustly.

For most of our customers, the differentiation between C1 and C2 is not important, and therefore we feel it is sufficient to indicate that highly proficient candidates have reached the "C1 and above" level.

Has the scoring methodology changed?

As of the 5th of July, 2017 CEPT scoring has been improved to provide candidates with a score out of 50, instead of 100. This will ensure the results are as easy to use as possible, as now each CEFR level is given 10 points (whereas previously it varied from between 10 to 20 points).

This table shows the conversion between the old 100-point scale and the new 50-point scale.

Why has my candidate received an asterisk (*) instead of a result?

The adaptive nature of a Computerised Adaptive test means that the completion time and the number of questions presented will vary from one candidate to another. There are a number of criteria in place which determine when the test should stop, these include: target precision of the ability estimate, number of questions and time limit.

In a timed test, if a candidate reaches the time limit before they have answered sufficient questions for a precise ability estimate to be made then the test issues an * (asterisk) result.

Although the * result may be frustrating, in some respects this may be considered an advantage of the adaptive testing approach. If a candidate hasn't answered enough questions the test doesn't simply assume that they would have got everything else wrong (as it would in a linear test), it reports that insufficient information has been submitted for an accurate estimate of their ability to be made.