What is the QET?

The Qualifying English Test (QET) is an English Language test set by the Centre for English Language Communication. It must be taken by students who do not possess the necessary English Language qualifications when they enter the university.

The criteria for exemption from the QET are listed HERE.

The purposes of the QET are to:

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

Information & Registration

Test date: 11 July 2023 (Tue)

  • Session 1 (reporting time: 9:00 am; test duration: 10:00 am to 11:45 am), or
  • Session 2 (reporting time: 2:00 pm; test duration: 3:00 pm to 4:45pm)

Students will be informed of the session they are assigned to on Friday 7 July 2023.

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

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 QET briefing is from 19 June 2023 to 29 June 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 QET1 briefing through their NUS email address by 5pm on 30 June 2023.
  • Only students who have signed up for the briefing with a valid NUSNET ID will be added to Canvas on 30 June 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 QET

Though there is no specific recommended preparation for the QET, students should ensure that they are familiar with the format of the QET. Students are required to read a 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 texts 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 QET results mean?

  • Students who obtain Band 1 will have to take ES1000 followed by ES1103.
  • Students who obtain Band 2 will have to take ES1103.
  • Students who obtain Band 3 are exempted from these English courses.

Students required to do ES1000 or ES1103 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, ES1000 and ES1103, please refer to the Undergraduate Courses page on CELC website.

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