e review of current research in the field of academic listening assessment. This is followed by an argument for a role for cognitive validity in assessing the extent to which a test can be said to engage processes resembling those of a real-world EAP or professional listening experience. A concrete example is given of the type of validation criteria that can be applied across various features of a test. A final review compares the cognitive demands faced by candidates across a range of current tests of EAP listening.