1- Structure

The GFP Placement Test is the basic criteria for admitting applicants into the General Foundation Programme at GCET. Based on the results of Placement Test, the GFP applicant can take the related Modules. All the applicants should take the English Test first, and based on the results they will be placed in Level One or Two in GFP, or may be exempted from studying English Modules at GFP provided they get B2 or more. The GFP Placement Test is exempted if the GFP applicant meets the criteria mentioned in sections 7-1, 7-2 or 7-3 of GFP Academic Regulations document.

If the GFP applicant gets B1 or B2 level in English language, then they can take Math and ICT Placement Tests and based on their results, they will take one or two semesters to complete GFP.

Upon passing all the Placement Tests, the GFP applicant will be exempted from GFP and can join their UG programme. There is no Placement Test for the Module Study Skills and if an applicant is exempted from all English, Math and ICT modules after Placement Tests, they can be directly admitted to UG.

2- Syllabus

All the new applicants take the Placement Test in English Language. The English test includes two sections of written and spoken. For the first section, the GFP applicant takes the MEPT, conducted and proctored in college. After the first section, the applicants will be examined on their English Speaking skills by FS examiners. If the GFP applicant gets a minimum of B1 level in English Placement Test, they are eligible to take the English Writing, Math and ICT tests. If they score 0 – 52%, they will be registered at Level One with all GFP modules to be taken in two semesters.

The Math Test includes two sections. First, the GFP applicant takes the Basic Math and if they get 50% or more, they can take the second test. GFP applicants who apply for an Engineering programme take the Pure Math test, and if they want to enter a Non-engineering programme they take Applied Math test. However, if they score below 50%, they will not proceed with the second section and will be placed in Level One for Math. The test is based on problem-solution and objective type questions. The syllabus of tests includes:

  • Kinds of number and basic operations, Laws of Indices, Simplifying algebraic expressions
  • Inequalities, Linear polynomial equations, Basic geometry of circles, triangles and straight lines
  • Graphs, Trigonometry and identities, Functions, Basic Statistics
  • Minimum or maximum values of a quadratic function
  • Trigonometry for computations in arbitrary triangles
  • Basic concepts of statistics and probability
  • Tables, mean values, statistical diagrams, simple events, tree diagrams

The Computing Test consists of two sections: theory and practice. Three major areas are covered in this test which are fundamentals of computers, key Microsoft Office applications and concepts related to living online. The syllabus of the Test includes:

  • Computer Hardware (Parts of computer)
  • Computer Software (MS Word – MS Excel – MS PowerPoint)
  • Operating Systems
  • Mobile Applications
  • Computer Security
  • Internet

The following table elaborates the benchmarking of MEPT:

MEPT Cut Score CEFR (from-to) IELTS (Overall band) Entry
0 – 52 Equal to A1 – A2 Equal to 3.5 (and below) GFP Level 1
53 – 56 Equal to B1 – B2 5.0 GFP Level 2
57 or more B2 or higher 6.0 or higher UG (Exempted from GFP)

Placement Test Structure

Placement Test Exemptions

The GFP Placement Test is exempted if a student:

  • holds a Certificate of Completion of the General Foundation Programme from an Omani Higher Education Institution.
  • has completed a programme that demonstrates attainment of the Learning Outcomes of one or more of the modules offered in GFP can be exempted from studying that module (Accreditation of Prior ‘Certificated’ Learning, AP(C)L, will be applied).
  • holds any or all of these valid certificates:
  1. English:
  • TOEFL with a minimum score of 600
  • IELTS with a minimum overall band of 6.0
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (B2 Level)
  1. Mathematics:
  • Omani approved Foundation Mathematics Module with a minimum of 50% marks
  • Foreign qualifications such as A level or International Baccalaureate
  1. ICT:
  • ICDL certificate in English medium
  • IC3 certificate in English medium
  • Cambridge IT Test

NOTE: Programmes which are not accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI) cannot be considered replacements for GFP.

Placement Test Syllabus

  1. ENGLISH TEST

The English Test includes two sections for all English skills. For the first section, the student takes a computer-based test, conducted and proctored in college, and it is not available online. After the first section, the student will be examined on their English Speaking skills by our experienced examiners.

  1. MATHEMATICS TEST

If the student gets a minimum of B1 level in the English Placement Test, they are eligible to take the MATHEMATICS TEST. The Math Test includes two sections. First, the student takes the Basic Math and if they get 50% or more, they can take the second test. Students who apply for an Engineering programme take the Pure Math test, and if they want to enter a Non-engineering programme they take Applied Math test.

The test is based on problem-solution and objective type questions. The syllabus of tests includes:

  • Kinds of number and basic operations, Laws of Indices, Simplifying algebraic expressions
  • Inequalities, Linear polynomial equations, Basic geometry of circles, triangles and straight lines
  • Graphs, Trigonometry and identities, Functions, Basic Statistics
  • Minimum or maximum values of a quadratic function
  • Trigonometry for computations in arbitrary triangles
  • Basic concepts of statistics and probability
  • Tables, mean values, statistical diagrams, simple events, tree diagrams
  1. COMPUTING TEST

If the student gets a minimum of B1 level in the English Placement Test, they are eligible to take the COMPUTING TEST. The Computing Test consists of in two sections: theory and practice. Three major areas are covered in this test which are fundamentals of computers, key Microsoft Office applications and concepts related to living online. The syllabus of the Test includes:

  • Computer Hardware (Parts of computer)
  • Computer Software (MS Word – MS Excel – MS PowerPoint)
  • Operating Systems
  • Mobile Applications
  • Computer Security
  • Internet

Entry Criteria

The minimum entry requirement for the General Foundation Programme (GFP) is a pass in the Omani General Education Diploma (or equivalent) with:

  • A minimum overall average of 65%.
  • A minimum of 60% in Mathematics (applied or pure).
  • A minimum of 55% in the English Language.
Placement Test Overall score Starting Point in GFP
English Language 1% – 39% Level 1 for all English Modules
40% – 49% Level 2 for all English Modules
50% – 100% Exempted from English Language Modules
Mathematics 1% – 39% Basic Mathematics
40% – 49% Pure or Applied Mathematics
50% – 100% Exempted from Mathematics Modules
Computer 1% – 79% ICT 1
80% – 100% Exempted from ICT Modules

Programme Specification:

  • First Semester:
Module Title Module Code Delivery
1. English Language Reading- Writing 1 ENGLRW-20-01 4 sessions/week = 6 hours
2. English Language Listening-Speaking 1 ENGLLS-20-01 4 sessions/week = 6 hours
3. Basic Mathematics MATHBA-10-01 4 sessions/week = 6 hours
4. ICT 1 (Fundamentals and Key Applications) ICTFKA-10-01 4 sessions/week = 6 hours
Total Scheduled Contact hours/week – 16 sessions/week = 24 hours
Tutorial Sessions (Blended learning) – 4 sessions/week = 6 hours
  • Second Semester:
Module Title Module Code Delivery
1. English Language Reading- Writing 2 ENGLRW-20-01 4 sessions/week = 6 hours
2. English Language Listening-Speaking 2 ENGLLS-20-01 4 sessions/week = 6 hours
3. Pure Mathematics/

Applied Mathematics

 MATHPU-10-02/ MATHAP-10-02 4 sessions/week = 6 hours
4. ICT 2 (Living Online) ICTFKA-10-01 2 sessions/week = 3 hours
5. Study Skills FSSTSK-00-02 2 sessions/week = 3 hours
Total Scheduled Contact hours/week – 16 sessions/week = 24 hours
Tutorial Sessions (Blended learning) – 4 sessions/week = 6 hours
  • Summer Semester:

If the student fails in one or all of progression modules in the second semester, they can retake the failed modules in Summer Semester. The Modules are offered in an intensive time frame of four weeks and students can take the final exam afterwards.