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Password Knowledge and Writing
Password Knowledge and Writing is amongst the most widely used English language assessments for admission into university preparation (pathway) programmes.
The test is aligned to the CEFR.

Password Knowledge

Password Knowledge is a sophisticated test of grammar, vocabulary and reading. It consists of 72 questions across 5 sections and takes 1 hour to complete.
It is aligned to the CEFR (A2 to C1) and delivers extremely accurate and reliable results.

Section 1

There are 18 questions in section 1. These questions test grammar and vocabulary.
Test-takers try to select the correct answers from the drop-down boxes.

EXAMPLE 1

Student: I am having a lot of trouble with this assignment.
Tutor: Please try and do it as  as you can.
In this example, the correct answer is ‘well’.

EXAMPLE 2

He should have taken more time  his essay.
In this example, the correct answer is ‘to edit’.

Section 2

There are 14 questions in section 2. These questions test grammar and vocabulary.
Test-takers try to choose the correct answers from the drop-down boxes.

EXAMPLE 1

Student A: It’s good news that Rashid passed his first-year exams, 
Student B: Yes, let’s hope he’s  next year too.
In this example, the correct answers are “isn’t it” and “successful”.

EXAMPLE 2

 sure you adhere to all the ethical procedures when carrying  your research project.
In this example, the correct answers are “Make” and “out”.

Section 3

There are 18 questions in section 3. These questions test knowledge of near synonyms.
Test-takers try to choose the correct answers from a list.

EXAMPLE 1

“Have you altered the introduction to your essay?”
Which word is most like altered?
 forgotten
 selected
 composed
 amended
 considered

In this example the correct answer is “amended.

EXAMPLE 2

“I assume that the tutors will be able to help me with any essay problems.”
Which word is most like assume?
 suppose
 know
 doubt
 analyze
 deduce

In this example the correct answer is “suppose.

Section 4

There are 11 questions in section 4. These questions test knowledge of collocations.
Test-takers try to choose the correct answer from a list.

EXAMPLE 1

“The sound coming from the speakers was intense.
Which word is most often used with intense?
 intense error
 intense formula
 intense funds
 intense pain
 intense version

In this example the correct answer is “intense pain.

EXAMPLE 2

“Petra asked the shop assistant where the changing rooms were.”
Which word is most often used with assistant?
 assistant executive
 assistant worker
 assistant manager
 assistant owner
 assistant secretary

In this example the correct answer is “assistant manager.

Section 5

There are 11 questions in section 5. These questions test grammar and vocabulary.
Test-takers choose the correct answers by clicking “right” or “wrong”.
There can be more than one correct answer for each question. The correct answers are selected below.

EXAMPLE 1

Do you know what book he was talking about?
 Right        Wrong

Do you know what book about was he talking?
 Right        Wrong

Do you know what book was he talking about?
 Right        Wrong

EXAMPLE 2

Due to the development of the internet, library membership has dramatically decreased in the last few decades.
 Right        Wrong

Because the development of the internet, library membership has dramatically decreased in the last few decades.
 Right        Wrong

Owing to the development of the internet, library membership has dramatically decreased in the last few decades.
 Right        Wrong

Password Writing

Password Writing assesses a test-taker’s ability to write an essay. Test-takers are presented with a choice of two essay titles.
Test-takers are given instructions regarding length and content.
Choose topic (A) OR (B) and write an essay on ONE.

(A) “School Children should choose the subjects they study from a young age and stop doing subjects they find uninteresting.”
How much do you agree with this opinion and why? Give reasons and examples to support your answer.

(B) “Old people are an essential part of society, so they should be respected.”
How much do you agree with this opinion and why? Give reasons and examples to support your answer.

You have 30 minutes to write your answer. You should write more than 200 words; if you write less, your score will be less.

Your essay should:

  • Clearly present your ideas about the topic and be well organised.
  • Use appropriate examples or details to support your opinion.
  • Make accurate use of a suitable range of grammar and vocabulary.

Your score will be based on these aspects.

Write your answer in the box below. Do not click finish section until you have finished.

Word Count: 0
Sample Answer:

School children should choose the subjects they study from a young age and stop doing subjects they find uninteresting.

“In most education systems today, children learn a wide variety of subjects until they leave school.  At university, they begin to specialise before focussing on a specific job or career in the long term.  Some countries, however, allow students to start to choose areas of study they prefer from a much younger age and in my opinion this is not a good idea.

First of all, when a pupil is still young, they often do not realise the consequences of their choices.  By this I mean that, if they choose not to study a subject because they find it too difficult or not interesting, they may not realise that this will prevent them having many careers.  They may lose their dream job because they did not select the right subjects to study for it.  In any case, working hard to overcome difficulties is an important life lesson to learn for every young person.

Another reason for not allowing students to drop subjects too early is that they may give up studying ones they feel are not useful in terms of their academic future, forgetting that these are important for their well-being and creativity.  Art, music, drama, dance and sport are all important for our lives and can help build self-esteem.  Research shows that these positive feelings can lower stress and even improve pupil’s exam results.

Finally, in my view, the world’s best thinkers are the people with the widest knowledge.  In the future we will need creative people who can make links across many subject areas to come up with new ideas.   Computers cannot do this as well as humans can, but to be able to make new links we need a wide foundation.  In conclusion, school is the place to get the broad subject knowledge to build our future.”