English Preparatory Program

SCHOOL OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES – ENGLISH PREPARATORY PROGRAM

The purpose of the Preparatory Program is to equip students with the language knowledge and skills necessary to pursue their studies in the programs they are enrolled in, to follow publications related to their professions, and to participate effectively in activities and discussions in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Modular System / Level System

At Cappadocia University, the English Preparatory Program is based on a Modular (Level) System. An academic year consists of four quarters, each lasting seven weeks: two in the Fall Semester and two in the Spring Semester. In each quarter, students are placed in different modules according to their English proficiency levels. Students who successfully complete a module advance to the next level, while those who fail repeat the same level in the following quarter. The opening of repeat modules in each quarter is determined by the decision of the School Board. A student starting from the lowest level (A1) can complete the preparatory education successfully by passing the final module required by their program at the end of the fourth quarter. Students who cannot reach the required level by the end of the Spring Semester may attend a seven-week Summer Term. The Summer Term is designed to cover only one module and is opened only if there is sufficient demand.

Placement of Students into Modules According to Language Level

At the beginning of each academic year, a Placement Test is administered to determine the English proficiency levels of new students and place them into appropriate modules based on their results.

Assessment and Evaluation

Throughout each module, students are assessed through pop quizzes, projects, portfolios, online studies, and instructor evaluations. These components determine the student’s overall module grade. At the end of each module, students take a Module Exit Exam. The final grade is calculated as 60% of the module average and 40% of the module exit exam. Students who achieve a minimum of 60 points are considered successful and pass the preparatory program.

Placement Tests: These exams are administered before the preparatory education begins to determine students’ English proficiency. The test date is announced in the university’s academic calendar. Students who achieve the required threshold score proceed to the second stage (Exemption Exam). Those who do not meet the threshold are placed into appropriate modules based on their results. Students who do not take the Placement Test start at the lowest basic level. If decided by the School Board, the placement test results may also be included in the overall evaluation of the module exit exam.

Module Exams: Students are evaluated during each module through pop quizzes, projects, portfolio work, online assignments, and instructor evaluations.

Evaluation Table (Example)

The types and weights of assessment components may vary each module by decision of the School Board.

Module Exit Exams: During the preparatory year, five module exit exams are administered — two at the end of the Fall modules (Modules I–II), two at the end of the Spring modules (Modules III–IV), and one at the end of the Summer Term if applicable. The Module Exit Exam may consist of two or three parts (written, oral, and/or online) as determined by the School Board.

The Module Exit Exam contributes 40% to the final grade.

Exemption Exam:

• Newly enrolled students in programs with compulsory English preparatory education take the Exemption Exam at the beginning of the academic year, on the date announced in the university calendar. The exam has two stages: a placement test (written or online), followed by Writing and Speaking Exams. Students who achieve an average score of 60 or above are exempted and can begin their departmental studies. Others are placed into modules according to their level. Students who provide proof of an equivalent national or international language exam score accepted by the university are also exempted.
• Students who have completed one year of preparatory education but failed to pass may also take the Exemption Exam.

Optional Exemption Exams:

Students who wish to take the exemption exam outside the regular schedule may apply by paying the exam fee. These exams are held monthly upon student request if the following conditions are met:

• Completion of at least one semester of the Preparatory Program,
• Application submitted at least two weeks before the exam date,
• Payment of the exam fee at least one week prior to the exam.

English Exam Equivalencies (ÖSYM Foreign Language Exam Equivalency Tables, 25.02.2016)

Students who present valid national or international exam results equivalent to the level required for their program are exempted from the Preparatory Program. Exams must be administered in officially supervised centers (in Turkey, in state university buildings; abroad, verified by the test center).

Table 1: CPE Equivalency

Table 2: CAE Equivalency

Table 3: TOEFL IBT Equivalency

Table 4: PTE Academic Equivalency

Duration of Education

At Cappadocia University, the English Preparatory Program is compulsory for programs taught in English and optional for others. The duration of study depends on students’ success in module and exit exams. The standard duration is two semesters. Students who complete the required level (Module IV) within this period proceed to their departments in the following semester. Students who fail may attend the Summer Term or repeat the preparatory year. Those who improve their English independently may take the Exemption Exam at the end of the semester or the beginning of the next academic year. Students who submit valid international exam results equivalent to the required level are also exempted.

According to the regulation published in the Official Gazette dated March 23, 2016, students who cannot complete the preparatory program within two years are dismissed from their programs but may transfer to equivalent Turkish-taught programs or use their additional exam rights. Students who pass one of the additional exams are re-enrolled in their program.

Attendance Requirement

Students must attend at least 80% of total class hours in each module. Those who fail to meet the attendance requirement are not allowed to take the Module Exit Exam and must repeat the module. Students who are medically excused are still marked absent but may take make-up exams for missed assessments if their medical reports are approved by the School Board.

Optional Preparatory Program

Students enrolled in programs taught in Turkish may apply to the Optional English Preparatory Program. Students who pass the final exams at the end of this program may take advanced English courses instead of compulsory English classes. They may also take courses taught in English within equivalent English-taught programs if applicable. Upon completion, they are awarded a certificate indicating their proficiency level according to CEFR standards.