Because the exam is online, students can take it from anywhere around the world that has internet access. New, incoming students will be able to take this exam before coming to Kansas City, thus avoiding jet lag from interfering with their exam performance.

Exam Content and Time

Three language areas are tested separately for a total of 1 hour and thirty minutes maximum.

• Reading Comprehension (30 minutes)
• Oral Proficiency (15-30 minutes)

Upon completion, test takers may receive scores within 1-2 business days.

At this time, students must take the Writing portion of the exam on campus. The ALI will hold testing sessions for students to take this part of the exam. Contact the ALI at ali@umkc.edu for more information. 

Writing Exam

Starting in October 2023, the ALI will no longer offer the writing portion of the exam online. Students will need to take the writing portion of the exam in-person. The ALI will schedule testing dates the week before classes begin. It is the student's responsibility to make sure they are in Kansas City in time to take the writing exam. 

The writing exam will be taken in-person, on campus, with pen/pencil or paper. Contact the ALI for more details. 

Test Takers

• Anyone is allowed to take the CALIOPE.
• Any ESL-Only and Conditionally Admitted student or Paseo Program applicant at UMKC is required to take the CALIOPE. Check your I-20 to see if you are required to take the test.
  • Paseo Program applicants must take the exam as part of the admission process. 
  • ESL-Only or Conditionally Admitted students can wait until after admission to take the exam.
• Any student fully admitted to an academic program at UMKC is not required to take the CALIOPE.

Test Scores

Students will be given exam scores that reflect the ALI level they can be placed into. The exam ranges from 1-60+.

• 1-9 - Basic
• 10-19 - ALI Level 1. 
• 20-29 - ALI Level 2.
• 30-39 - ALI Level 3. 
• 40-49 - ALI Level 4.
  • Undergraduate ESL students are required to complete Level 4 before beginning academic classes. 
  • Undergraduate students who score above 49 are cleared for full academic study in most undergraduate programs at UMKC. 
• 45-49 - Paseo Program. 
  • 45-47 - Student is strong in 2 of the 4 language skills.
  • 48-49 - Student is strong in 3 of the 4 language skills.
  • To participate in the Paseo Program, students must indicate interest at the time of application.
  • Undergraduate students who score above 49 are cleared for full academic study in most undergraduate programs at UMKC. 
• 50-59 - ALI Level 5. 
  • Graduate and professional ESL students are required to complete Level 5 before beginning graduate studies in their academic program. 
• 60+ - No ALI courses.
  • Students who score 60+ are cleared for full academic study in graduate and professional programs at UMKC. No ESL is required.

Requirements

Students will need a computer with internet access in addition to

• Webcam
• Microphone (built-in or headset)
• Speakers (built-in or headset)

Cost and Limitations

CALIOPE is required for all new incoming students, but any interested student can take the exam at any time. After taking the exam, one’s score is good for 60 days. If students do not enroll in classes within 60 days after taking the CALIOPE, they will need to retake the exam.

• $30.00 during peak times: approximately during the last 3 weeks in January, the last 2 weeks in May, the first week in June, and the last 3 weeks in August
• Early Bird Special: use the promo code EARLYBIRD and pay only $20.00. The code will only be active 14-60 days prior to the first day of classes for new incoming students.
• Special discounted rates may apply to UMKC and ALI partner institutions

To pay for the exam, visit Test Payment. Test takers must take the exam within 24-48 hours after paying for the exam.

If the Test Payment link does not work, please email ali@umkc.edu.

ALI students are not allowed to retake the exam unless they have had an interruption in their studies, such as skipping a semester or leaving mid-semester to come back at a later time. Students should discuss skipping a semester or leaving mid-semester with their academic advisor before leaving the ALI.