The descriptive study at Northern Iloilo State University for the Academic Year 2022-2023 assessed 172 first-year students' English language proficiency using a qualifying exam measuring correct usage, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Results indicated that the overall proficiency was upper intermediate, with students performing best in correct usage (advanced), adequately in reading comprehension (upper intermediate), but less proficient in vocabulary (intermediate), possibly due to limited vocabulary acquisition skills. Significant differences were also observed in language proficiency across different college programs, underscoring varied performance in correct usage, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.