Warning: scheduled maintenance will be carried out on Saturday 20th April 2024. Please do not start any Password test after 05.30 BST, as this website will go offline at 09.00 BST. We expect normal service to be resumed at 12.00 BST.
Warning: scheduled maintenance will be carried out on Saturday 20th April 2024. Please do not start any Password test after 05.30 BST, as this website will go offline at 09.00 BST. We expect normal service to be resumed at 12.00 BST.
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Password Knowledge
Password Knowledge is used to assess new students to ensure they have the English language skills necessary to successfully undertake their programmes of study.
Students needing in-sessional support are identified quickly and cost-effectively. The test is aligned to the CEFR and delivers extremely accurate and reliable results.

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