Password Skills Plus Exam

Exam outline

The Password Skills Plus test is an English-language proficiency test that can be used to demonstrate English language ability to universities, colleges, and schools. The test is used for university admission in the UK and Cyprus. It also meets the requirements for a student visa in the UK.

It’s an online test that takes 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete.

The Password Skills Plus test is aligned with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR A2 to C1). 

The test is used as a cheaper alternative to other standardized tests such as IELTS and TOEFL. It can be taken 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, costing just £110 / $140 / €120, and results are sent via email within 5 working days.

Structure of the Password Skills Plus test

The test consists of four parts, and all four parts are taken in one session. The total time allowed for the test is up to three hours and fifteen minutes, which includes a short pause between each part. The four parts cover each of the four language skills:

Reading:

You are presented with five tasks of increasing difficulty. The maximum time allowed for this part is one hour and fifteen minutes. 

Section 1. The first task is to rearrange seven sentences together to show the order of events.

Section 2. The second task is to drag and drop words into a short text.

Section 3. The third task is to read a short text and answer 8 multiple-choice questions.

Section 4. The fourth task is to read 7 paragraphs and match them with their headings.

Section 5. In the fifth task, the test takers read a text and put the 8 paragraph summaries in the correct order.

Writing

You have a choice of two essay titles which are ‘open-ended opinion’ questions. Choose one of these on which to write an essay of at least 200 words. The maximum time allowed for this part is thirty minutes. Your essay should:

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

Listening

You are presented with five sections of increasing difficulty. Each section has one or more tasks. Most of the listening recordings are short lectures or extracts of lectures. The maximum time allowed for this part is one hour. 

Section 1. In this section, there are ten short recordings of information, messages, and lecture clips with a single multiple-choice question for each. Each recording lasts approx. 1 minute and is repeated once.

Section 2. This part has one longer recording of a talk, such as a lecture. You have to decide whether eight points are correct, incorrect, or not mentioned. This recording lasts approx. 3 minutes and is repeated once.

Section 3. This part of the exam has six short recordings of information, messages, and lecture clips with a single multiple-choice question for each. Each recording lasts approx. 1 minute and is repeated once.

Section 4. This section has one longer recording of a talk, such as a lecture with five multiple-choice questions. This recording lasts about 5 minutes and is repeated once.

Section 5. The final part has one longer recording of two speakers with different views on a topic. Test-takers choose four from ten points which are mentioned by each speaker. This recording lasts about  3 minutes and is repeated once.

Speaking

You are presented with five tasks which are displayed on screen. The responses expected increase in length and complexity as the test module progresses. The maximum time allowed for this part is twenty minutes.

Section 1.  You are asked to say your name and date of birth and read a short passage.

Section 2. You are asked simple, everyday questions, eg. Where do you live? What are you wearing?

Section 3. You are given 3 scenarios with prompts. 

Section 4. You’re asked to make a comparison, eg. learning to play a sport or a musical instrument: which is the most difficult?

Section 5. Talking about the information in a graph, chart, infographic or diagram.

Free Practice Materials for the Password Skills Plus Exam

This link will take you to free Passport Skills Plus practice exams and materials

Frequently Asked Questions