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Radboud Academic Test of English (RATEr)

The RATEr is an admission assessment for Wageningen University & Research and Radboud University Nijmegen. The assessment ascertains whether students, prospective students, PhD candidates and other academic staff possess the required language proficiency to take an English-taught degree programme at Wageningen University or Radboud University Nijmegen.

These universities each have their own rules regarding RATEr acceptance for admission. See the table below for details.

Who is the RATEr for?

Target group Radboud University Wageningen University & Research
(incoming) students with Dutch nationality yes yes
EU students with non-Dutch nationality no yes
non-EU students with non-Dutch nationality no no
PhD candidates and other academic researchers yes yes
reading (B2) BIG registration yes yes

    Please click here for the admission requirements for Bachelor students of Wageningen University & Research and here for the admission requirements for Master students of Wageningen University & Research.

    Content

    RATEr consists of four components:

    • Reading skills
    • Writing skills
    • Speaking skills
    • Listening skills

    You can find more information about the RATEr content here.

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

    Level of the assessment

    The RATEr is based on the European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and assesses whether a candidate has a B2 level of English. The English language proficiency required to study at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences is B2 level. There are no entry requirements for the assessment: everyone can take it.

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

    Take the test on campus or at home

    logos_voor_rater.jpg

    The RATEr is organised by Wageningen in’to Languages and Radboud in’to Languages. You can register for an assessment on location (Radboud University Nijmegen campus) or for an online assessment at home. Proctoring software is used for the online assessment. Check the bottom of the page for more information about taking the assessment online from home.

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

    Registration

    Registration for and communication about the RATEr on campus runs through Radboud in'to Languages. Registration for and communication about the online RATEr from home runs through Wageningen in'to Languages.

    When you register, please indicate the university for which you want to use the RATEr admission certificate: Wageningen University & Research or Radboud University and also if you want to become a student or PhD candidate. You can indicate this in the field for 'reference'.

    Practical information

    Assessment dates

    Date RATEr On Radboud University campus Online at home Registration deadline Result
    Thursday 23 May 2024 No Yes Wednesday 15 May 2024, 12:00 hrs Thursday 13 June 2024
    Tuesday 4 June 2024 Yes Yes Monday27 May 2024, 12:00 hrs Tuesday 25 June 2024
    Tuesday 2 July 2024 No Yes Monday 24 June 2024, 12:00 hrs Tuesday 23 July 2024
    Thursday 15 August 2024 Yes No Wednesday 7 August 2024, 12:00 hrs Wednesday 28 August 2024
    Thursday 7 November 2024 Yes Yes Wednesday 30 October 2024, 12:00 hrs Thursday 28 November 2024

      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 assessment. This applies when the candidate has paid. The certificate will then be sent by post.

      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 assessment. You will have to pay for it again.

      Assessment Regulations

      Assessment regulations RATEr (on campus)

      Assesment Regulations RATEr (online)

      Requirements online test

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

      • You must be able to take the assessment in a quiet room with a stable internet connection;
      • You must use Google Chrome;
      • You must have a laptop or PC with a camera and speakers, and you must be prepared to use these during the assessment;
      • You must have a headset or headphones you can use;
      • You must have a valid ID;
      • 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;
      • During the administration you may not use a (digital) dictionary or other websites.

      Further information

      We use remote proctoring during the assessment to prevent fraud. This document contains further information about remote proctoring as it is used at WUR.

      We strongly advise you to take the practice exam at least once before taking the assessment. This allows you to practice the assessment 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 assessment perform better and experience less stress during the assessment because they are more comfortable with the systems used before and during the assessment.

      Questions?

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

      T: +31 317 482552 E: into@wur.nl

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

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