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The Password Skills Plus Language Test

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About the test 

Password Skills Plus Test is made up of four test modules – reading, writing, listening and speaking. The test takes 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete.

Password Reading (1 hour 15 minutes)

This part consists of five tasks which increase in difficulty as the module progresses. Whilst the tasks are designed to assess academic English, they require no subject specific matter knowledge.

Password Writing (30 minutes)

This section assesses a test-taker’s ability to write an essay. Test-takers are presented with a choice of two 'open-ended' questions, one of which they choose as the subject of an essay. Test takers are instructed to write at least 200 words.

Password Listening (1 hour)

This part consists of five sections. In each section there are one or more listening tasks to be completed which increase in difficulty as the module progresses. Most recordings are short lectures or snippets of lectures.

Password Speaking (20 minutes)

Password Speaking has five sections with one or more speaking tasks (questions) in each, simply answered by speaking into a microphone. The responses increase in length and difficulty as the module progresses.

You can find out more and see example questions on the Password Plus Website. 

Results 

Once the test has been taken, results should be available to the University within 10 working days. However, if there are any issues identified during the test, results could take longer as they will need to be investigated. 

Test results will go directly to Durham University's Student Recruitment and Admissions department and you will be notified of the outcome via email.

You can only take the test a maximum of three times per academic year.

What will you need to take the test? 
  • You will need a Windows laptop or computer with access to either Edge, Chrome or Firefox. If using a Mac you must use Chrome, and not Safari. A PDF viewer which is not your main test browser (for example Adobe Acrobat or a second browser) must be installed.
  • Check your internet connection is stable and it needs to be more than 2 Mbps. You can check this via https://fast.com/, it is a quick check and must be done before starting your test.
  • Check your headphones and microphone are working.
  • Government issued photo ID: This can be your passport or drivers’ licence if it includes an English translation. It needs to be the original document which is in date and has not expired.
  • A test login code, which will be provided to you following receipt of the required payment.

Paying for the test 

Taking the password test currently costs £80, this covers the cost for the test paper, the marking of your exam and the invigilating costs. 

Once you have made this payment you will receive a voucher code for your test. You can then redeem this code on the Password Skills Plus website to access your test and schedule a time slot for your tests with Examity.

To make the payment please click on the link below. You will need your Student Number in order to pay this number which is 9 digits long and begins with 00.

The payment is non-refundable so please ensure you have everything you need to take the test before you pay. 

▸ Make Password Language Test Payment 

 

Note: If you are re-taking a Password Skills Plus test please email test.password@durham.ac.uk to be sent a payment link.

Note: Password One Skills Retake is not available for tests delivered through Durham University.