Centre for English & Additional Languages
The Liberal Art University in Hong Kong

What is Password Test

From Term 2 of Academic Year 2020-21, the Password Test has been adopted in Lingnan for the following purposes:

 

  1. Replacing and fulfilling the DELTA requirement for cohorts admitted in or before 2020;
  2. Fulfilling the English language graduation requirement for students admitted in or after 2021; and
  3. *Ascertaining your level of English for partial or full exemption from the University’s English language requirements.

 

*Password Test results can be used for fulfilling the IELTS graduation requirement. An application form has to be submitted to CEAL. If you would like to be exempted from other requirements such as completing English language courses, a special request must be made in writing for taking a special session of the Password Test. The special session, different from the regular one, can count as one attempt of taking the test. Please also note any applications for exemption should be made in August; late applications will not be accepted.

 

Benchmarked against IELTS, the Password Test can let you realistically estimate your level of English and your readiness to take IELTS. There are two parts to the test: Part A: Reading and Writing and Part B: Listening and Speaking. More details can be found below (adapted from the Password Test documentation):

 

 

Password Test

The Password Test was developed following widespread consultation with the UK University sector. The test's original purpose was to enable UK universities to reliably assess international students overseas pre-arrival who were not already holding a recognised English language qualification.

 

Since its launch in 2014, the Password Test has helped many UK universities in their recruitment and admission of international students whilst upholding their academic standards. It is also used by universities and colleges as an exit test for foundation, pre-sessional and pre-Masters students, here "doubling up" as an admissions test for their onward course of study.

 

The test has been formally aligned to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the CEFR (A2 to C1). It comprises four modules, one for each language skill, which are specifically designed to assess academic English:

 

Reading

This test module consists of five tasks which increase in difficulty as the module progresses. Whilst the tasks are designed to assess academic English, they require no prior knowledge of specific subject matter. The time allowed for this test module is 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Writing

This test module offer test takers a choice of two "open ended" questions, one of which they chose as the subject of an essay. Test takers are instructed to write 200 words or more in 30 minutes.

Listening

This test module consists of five sections with one or more tasks in each section which increase in difficulty as the test module progresses. Most of the recordings are short lectures or snippets of lectures and, as with the reading test modules, no prior knowledge of specific subject matter is required. The time allowed for this test modules in 1 hour.

Speaking

This test modules consists of five tasks with one or more subjects on which to speak displayed on screen. The responses expected increase in length and complexity as the test module progresses. Responses are captured by a microphone, and the time allowed is 20 minutes.

 

All test modules are delivered online. The Password Test is delivered in two parts - Reading and Writing followed by Listening and Speaking. Although the Password Test was originally designed as a high stakes admissions assessment, the test developers (CRELLA) have worked hard to create a test design and tasks which are as low stress as possible for the test taker. Preparation courses are deliberately not available, but all test takers are encouraged to study the test format (there are sample test and questions on our website) and to take a (free) practice test.