How much does it cost?

The E-CAP assessment product costs between $100 and $190, depending on the reports you select. Please check the pricing here. Most people who have taken E-CAP say that it is one of their best educational investments. Our coaching packages are priced based on the number of sessions.

Should I prepare for the test?

E-CAP requires no preparation. When you take the test, you should be at your computer in a quiet place so that you can concentrate. As you take the test, stay relaxed and speak in your normal style for professional interactions. But please see our suggestions for preparing your computer for the test here.

I speak English as a second language. Will E-CAP be too hard for me?

E-CAP is designed to give accurate results for both native speakers and those who speak English as a second language. To take the test, you just need to have the ability to form sentences in response to questions about everyday work or job situations. If you have a strong foreign accent, we urge you to select the pronunciation diagnosis test option described here.

I'm just a student. Is this test right for me?

For years at school, you have probably received advice about your writing, or perhaps occasionally about some presentations you've made. But if you are like most students, you have never had expert, concrete feedback on your speech. E-CAP is an opportunity for you to find out about your speaking style and about the impression you might give to others, even in an upcoming  job interview. In fact, many schools use E-CAP for every entering student so that they can begin to work on their communication skills. You'll also be interested to know that the analysis report for E-CAP contains valuable advice for improving your score on standardized tests, such as the GMAT®, MCAT®, GRE®, and other exams.

Are my responses and score private?

Yes. The test-taking environment is protected by industry standard SSL technology, and your responses are stored on our secure server. Our download of your responses is also password protected. Your score (and report, if selected) is sent only to the email address you provide at registration as a pdf document. Upon request, we can send your report in encrypted form. Read our privacy policy.

Can I listen to my responses during the test or after I'm finished with the test?

Due to strict security procedures at our server, it is not possible for you to review your responses. However, during the test, you can record your answers with an external device (but do not use your computer, because of soundcard conflict problems).

What are the questions like?

E-CAP uses a carefully selected library of questions on topics of general interest. No special knowledge or background is assumed. Some questions can be answered quickly (less than 15 seconds), while more complex questions allow you 90 seconds to respond. Many questions give you time to prepare, while others ask for your immediate reaction to the issue.

If I make a mistake answering a test question, what should I do?

The raters understand the anxiety and pressure that sometimes occur during a test. If you make a mistake answering a test question and there is still time remaining in the answer clock on the test screen, you should say you misspoke and then restart your answer. If you realize your mistake after you finished the question, just ignore the mistake and do your best on the next question. The raters have a standardized procedure for dropping non-representative responses or responses where there was a technical problem. They compensate for any problematic response by re-weighting the other test questions

Note: The UserID you receive at registration is valid for only one administration of E-CAP.

Who evaluates the test?

Our team of communication experts. Every evaluation and report is supervised by a Ph.D. level expert. The evaluators compare your responses to standardized benchmarks developed from thousands of speech samples

How does my score compare with other people?

The E-CAP score range is from 20-100, and your score reflects a weighted average of your subscores in more than 75 distinct linguistic competencies. Most people receive a score between 50 and 100, with a median score of 75. Often a score can be negatively impacted by just a few consistent speech habits (such as frequent sentence restarts or lack of reasons to support opinions), which can be easily improved once you are aware of them, resulting in a higher score in another attempt at the E-CAP.

How often can I take the test?

You should wait at least three months before taking repeating E-CAP. After receiving your score and report, you will notice some communication skills that you can change quickly and easily (such as how you make your point or the reduction of verbal junk such as “uh”). Other skills (such as removal of a monotone, vocabulary expansion, or accent improvement) will take more time and practice to conquer. You may want to consider supplemental coaching for communication skills that are challenging for you to acquire.

When will I get my results?

You will receive your score (and report, if ordered) within seven days. The results will be in a pdf document sent to the email address you provided in the registration process.

I ordered only a score, but now I want to see the 20 page analysis report on my communication. Is it possible?

Yes, we can provide a report based on your test. The price for an additional report is $85. Please email us with your name and testID at support@e-cap.net.

What happens if I experience a computer difficulty and cannot complete the test?

Before you take the test, confirm that your computer and microphone are functioning properly with the sample question. When you are ready to take the test, please choose a quiet place that will be free from interruptions, including phone calls. If you experience a computer difficulty during the test, contact us at support@e-cap.net with details of the technical problem, and if needed, we will issue you another UserID number. The UserID you receive at registration allows you to take E-CAP only once.

How does E-CAP differ from other tests?

Most standardized tests and skill assessments provide only a score and crude outline of score components. E-CAP's rigorous, psychometric assessment methodology analyzes more than 75 components of communication effectiveness. The raters, who are educated native speakers, listen carefully to your responses, often multiple times, so that they can accurately understand your ideas. The companion advisory report provides a rich resource for skill improvement, and the optional pronunciation diagnosis gives expert appraisal of more than 50 separate English sounds.

I want to do web-based audio and video recording. Can you tell me what program you use to record over the internet?

E-CAP is a flash-based recording solution. If you want to use similar technology, Adobe recommends the offerings at http://www.userplane.com/index.cfm/

I teach a language class and would like to use a similar test for my students. Can you help us?

E-CAP is based on a sophisticated testing authoring and administration platform. It is available for licensing. Contact us for details at academic@e-cap.net

Can E-CAP be used to check my child's language ability?

E-CAP is designed for adults with a minimum of a high school education. A child's linguistic competencies should be evaluated in other ways, and you may find helpful guidance at your child's school.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

After receiving your UserID and password, your purchase is complete and you have ten days to take the assessment at your personal link. You can take the test at any time or location you choose. Your UserID may be used only once. After ten days, your password will expire and we are unable to refund the test fee.

Your coaching package purchase is completed after you click "Confirm Purchase." You agree to finish your training sessions within six months of the purchase date. We are unable to offer refunds for unused sessions. Coaching sessions should be scheduled at least one week in advance. If you need to cancel a scheduled coaching session, you must give at least 24 hours written notice to your coach. Sessions that are cancelled less than 24 hours before the scheduled training time will be considered one of your package sessions.