What is the DET?

The Diagnostic English Test (DET) is an English Language test set by the Centre for English Language Communication. It must be taken by all international graduate students from non-English medium universities whose faculties require them to take it.

The purposes of the DET are to:

The DET will be conducted in digital format using Examplify with remote invigilation via Zoom.

Information & Registration

Test date: 26 July 2023 (Wed)

  • Session 1 (Reporting time: 9.00 am / Test duration: 10:00 am to 12.00 pm), or
  • Session 2 (Reporting time: 2.00 pm / Test duration: 3:00 pm to 5.00 pm)

Students will be informed of the session they are assigned to on Monday 24 July 202

It is compulsory for students to attend the DET/Examplify briefing before they are allowed to take the DET.

For the briefing and the actual test, students are required to prepare:

·         a laptop or desktop with webcam and built-in microphone to complete the paper using Examplify and

·         a mobile phone for remote invigilation using Zoom video conferencing tool.

The briefing will be conducted virtually via the mobile phone using the Zoom app.  During the briefing, students will be able to practise how to position their mobile phone for Zoom invigilation.

Students should register for one briefing session from the list below. Registration for the DET briefing is from 7 July 2023 to 14 July 2023. 

Important notes:

  • Students may only sign up for one session.
  • Students must use their student number to sign up for the briefing if they have completed Registration Part One.
  • Students will receive their Zoom information for the DET1 briefing through their NUS email address by 5pm on 17 July 2023.
  • Only students who have signed up for the briefing with a valid NUSNET ID will be added to Canvas on 17 July 2023 to complete the prebriefing quiz found HERE.
  • If a student is unable to attend the chosen briefing session, they may cancel and register for another timeslot.

Preparation for the DET

Though there is no specific recommended preparation for the DET, students should ensure that they are familiar with the format of the DET. Students are required to read one text and then respond to the question prompt. They need to show that they can use English accurately to write an argumentative essay.

The essay will be assessed for its content, organisation and language.

  • Content:
    • fulfillment of task
    • sophistication and sufficiency of ideas
    • analysis and use of information from the reading text and your own knowledge to support ideas
  • Organisation:
    • clarity of overall structure
    • logical development of ideas
  • Language:
    • accuracy - grammar, mechanics, cohesive devices
    • fluency - communicative quality, vocabulary use and register

What do the DET results mean?

  • Students who obtain Band 1 will have to take ES5000 followed by ES5001A.
  • Students who obtain Band 2 will have to take ES5001A.
  • Students who obtain Band 3 are exempted from these English courses.

Students required to do ES5000 or ES5001A will participate in the Online Module Registration (EduRec). Please refer to the Registrar Office's website for updates from July 2022.

For more information on the courses, ES5000 and ES5001A, please refer to the Graduate Courses page on CELC website.

IMPORTANT: Students are strongly advised to complete ES5000 and/or ES5001A within the first year of study.

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