RATEr

Radboud Academic Test of English

Objective

RATEr is a test of academic English. The test aims to determine whether students, prospective students, PhD candidates and other academic researchers possess the required English proficiency to take an English-taught degree programme in an international higher education environment or research institute.

Who does the RATEr give admmission to and to which university?

Content

RATEr consists of four components:
- Reading skills;
- Writing skills;
- Speaking skills;
- Listening skills.
For additional information and sample questions, click here >>

Level of the test

The RATEr test is based on the European Framework of Reference (EFR) and tests from B2 level. The English language proficiency required to study at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences is B2 level.

After participating you will receive one of the qualifications:

• Candidate performs successfully at the B2 level (comparable to IELTS 6.0-6.5 and TOEFL iBT 80-100).
• Candidate has not mastered the B2 level.

Following the test, the candidate will receive a certificate stating the results with a short explanation.

Take the test on campus or at home

The RATEr is an admission test for Wageningen University and Radboud University Nijmegen. The RATEr is organised by Wageningen in’to Languages and Radboud in’to Languages. You can register for a test on location (Radboud University Nijmegen campus) or for an online exam at home. Proctoring software is used for the online assessment.

Communication with participants taking the RATEr on campus is done from Radboud in’to Languages. Communication with participants taking the test at home is done from Wageningen in’to Languages.

Taking the test on campus or at home has no consequences for the content of the test. The certificate you receive upon completion is the same.

There are no entry requirements for the test: everyone can take it. Should you fail to pass one or more of the components, you cannot retake individual components at a later time. However, you can re-register for the whole test. You will have to pay for it again.

Test dates

Registration

Registration for the RATEr on campus is via Radboud in’to Languages.

Registration for the RATEr online at home is via Wageningen in’to Languages.

When you register, please indicate the university for which you want to use the RATEr admission certificate: Wageningen University or Radboud University. You can indicate this in the field for 'reference'.

Why use the RATEr?

• The RATEr was developed by Radboud in’to Languages and the Faculty of Arts at Radboud University Nijmegen and focuses on academic language use and the academic setting.

• The RATEr has been taking place at the universities of Nijmegen and Wageningen on fixed dates since 2016, but institutions can also administer the tests at their own locations if they so wish.

• The components of the RATEr are extensively pre-tested and give reliable results, comparable to Cambridge, IELTS or TOEFL.

Fees

€225 for all components (including certificate).

You will receive an invoice after the registration deadline has passed.

Results

The participants will receive their results by email no later than 15 business days after taking the test. This applies when the candidate has paid.

The certificate will then be sent by post.

Assessments regulations

• Assessment regulations RATEr on campus

• Assessment regulations RATEr online at home

More information

If you would like to know more about taking the test on campus, please contact the Radboud in’to Languages Service Centre:

T: +31 24 361 21 59
E: info@into.ru.nl

If you would like to know more about taking the test online, at home, please contact the Wageningen in’to Languages Service Centre:

T: +31 317 482552
E: into@wur.nl

* Requirements online test

In order to participate in the online RATEr exam, the following must be in order:

• Use Chrome;
• You must be able to take the exam in a quiet room with a stable internet connection;
• You must have a laptop or PC with a camera and speakers, and you must be prepared to use these during the examination;
• Headphones or earphones;
• You must have a phone with the possibility to make a sound recording. The phone must be charged and have a storage capacity of at least 10-50 MB;
• We use remote proctoring during the examination. Below you will find a document with further explanation about remote proctoring as it is used at WUR. Remote proctoring is used to prevent fraud. We will respect your privacy in that regard;
• We strongly advise you to take the practice exam at least once before taking the exam proper. This allows you to practice the exam content and it is also the best way to check whether your system, your browser and the remote proctoring function as they should. Experience has shown that candidates who have taken the practice exam before the exam perform better and experience less stress during the exam because they are more comfortable with the systems used before and during the exam;
• Valid ID;
• During the administration you may not use a (digital) dictionary or other websites.

*Remote proctoring