DET

The Diagnostic English Test (DET) is an English placement test set by the Centre for English Language Communication (CELC) ;for graduate students pursuing the Master or Doctorate degrees. The objectives and format of the DET are available on the CELC website.

DET1 for Academic Year 2025/2026 is scheduled as follows:

1.

Who may take DET1?

All Masters and PhD students informed by the Office of the University Registrar of the requirement to take the DET.

22 July 2025 (Tuesday): 

  • Reporting time: 2:00 pm
  • Test duration: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Students will be informed of the Zoom meeting link and password to the session by 5 pm on Monday, 21 July 2025 through their NUS email address.

If a student misses the test, or is unable to sit for DET1, they will need to take DET2 in December 2025.
 2. DET will be conducted in digital format using Examplify and Zoom proctoring.

As DET will be conducted in digital format with remote invigilation, students are required to register for and attend the compulsory briefing session (see Section 3 below for details).

For the briefing and the actual test, students are required to prepare:
  • a laptop or a desktop computer to complete the paper using Examplify and
  • a mobile phone for remote invigilation using Zoom video conferencing tool.

An iPad should not be used for taking the DET.

The laptop or desktop computer and mobile phone should be fully charged or connected to a charging station for the whole duration of the test.
 3. Registration for the Briefing Session

It is compulsory for students to attend at least one briefing session.

Students will NOT be allowed to take the DET if they are absent from the briefing session.

  • To register for the DET briefing session, students must first complete Registration (Part One) to obtain their NUS-ID account information. Please allow two working days for the activation of NUS-ID before changing the default password to a personal password. Thereafter, you may proceed to register for the briefing session using your NUS-ID account;

    Please refer to the registration guide here.
  • Students should register for their briefing session during the registration period from 3 July to 10 July 2025 here, using their full names (as in Passport/NRIC), along with their NUS email address.
Before attending the briefing session, students must:
  • view the briefing slides on Examplify Take-Home Exam here;
    Access to the Examplify software will be granted after 10 July 2025.
  • read the attached briefing document on Zoom Invigilation here;
  • complete this quiz
    https://canvas.nus.edu.sg/courses/75319/quizzes which is based on information on Examplify and Zoom invigilation.

The briefing session will be conducted via Zoom. Students will receive information on the Zoom briefing session through their NUS email address upon successful registration. Students must join the briefing session using their mobile phone.

The briefing slides should be downloaded onto their computer as reference will be made to them during the briefing. 
 4. Assignment to DET1

Students will receive an email on Monday, 21 July 2025 to inform them of the Zoom meeting link and password to the session.

If an email is not received by Monday, 21 July 2025, 5 pm, students must write to elcbox50@nus.edu.sg.
 5. Sitting for the DET

Students must report to their assigned group on Zoom at the respective reporting time. The Zoom session will be locked half an hour after the reporting time, i.e. 2:30 pm. 

Students will need to have their identification document with recent photo (e.g. Student Card, NRIC, Passport) for identity verification purposes before being allowed to sit for the test.
 6. Release of DET results

Results will be released online on 4 August 2025 (Monday) via this link here.
 7. Step-by-step guide for system access Checking of Test Results
Students should refer to Paragraph 8 of the Guide on how to retrieve their DET results.
 8. Frequently Asked Questions Check for answers to common queries here.

Please take note that a student can only sit for the DET once.

You may access information on the DET through the Telegram channel https://t.me/+8eXIVCcNTv81Y2E1
Or scan the QR code below to join us on Telegram:

Telegram QR Code

Please take note that a student can only sit for the DET once.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Do I need to sit for the DET? / Can I be exempted from the DET?

    You will be notified via your Offer of Admission Letter or by your Faculty Administrator whether you are required to sit for the DET. The DET is held in July and December before the start of each semester and registration for the DET will be held around 2 weeks before the day of the Test. Students who are required to sit for the DET will receive an email notification from the Office of the University Registrar to register for the Test when registration opens.

    For matters regarding exemption, please contact your Faculty Administrator.

  2. I am unable to make it for the coming DET. Can I sit for the next one?

    If you have been informed to sit for the DET, please note that it is a university-level requirement which must be fulfilled before graduation. Based on your DET result, you may also need to read and complete additional Graduate English courses (GEC) during your study at NUS. As such, we do not advise you to postpone sitting for the DET as your study / graduation schedule may be affected. You should also check with your Faculty Administrator on the faculty's stand regarding this.

    If you have weighed the pros and cons and/or have your faculty's approval to sit for the next DET, simply register for it during the relevant registration period.

  3. When is the next DET date and registration period?

    Information on the next DET (including the test date and registration period) will be uploaded onto the DET website once it is available. Please check the website regularly for the latest information and updates.

  4. What is the DET test format and grading criteria?

    Please refer to the Centre for English Language Communications (CELC) website, https://www.nus.edu.sg/celc/tests/diagnostic-english-test-det/ for more information.

  5. How can I register for Graduate English Course (GEC)?

    Please refer to the Centre for English Language Communications (CELC) website, https://www.nus.edu.sg/celc/graduate-courses/ for more information.