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: 22 November 2024 (Friday)

  • Session 1 (reporting time: 9:00 am; test duration: 10:00 am to 11:45 am)

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 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 by logging in as 'NUS Students'. Registration for the QET briefing is from 7 November 2024 to 14 November 2024. 

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 15 November 2024.
  • Only students who have signed up for the briefing with a valid NUSNET ID will be added to Canvas on 15 November 2024 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 text and your own knowledge to support ideas
  • Organisation:
    • clarity of overall structure
    • logical development of ideas within and across paragraphs
  • Language:
    • accuracy – grammar, sentence structure and cohesive devices
    • fluency – communicative quality and vocabulary use
    • academic style - argumentation, source acknowledgement and integration, 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 Course Registration (EduRec). Please refer to the Office of the University Registrar’s website for updates.

For more information on the courses, ES1000 and ES1103, please refer to the Undergraduate Courses page on CELC website.

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