Test format

Part 1: Reading (75 minutes), Writing (30 minutes).

Part 2: Listening (60 minutes, Speaking (20 minutes).

With allowances for a small break in between we require you to allow 200 minutes for the entire duration.

Cost

The total cost, including ProctorU’s remote promoting service, is AUD$245.

Quick guide to steps:

1. Read this page in detail
2. Follow the Equipment & environment checklist
3. Register your interest (via the link on this page)
4. Wait for instructions on how to pay email
5. Make payment
6. Wait for payment verification and next steps email from University of Sydney
7. Register with ProctorU
8. Take your test.

If you are in China or Iran and need to undertake the Password test of English because testing centres are closed in your country, here is a summary of the process:

1. Make an application to the University of Sydney for a degree course starting in either Semester 2 of 2020 or Semester 1 of 2021.
2. If you have been made a conditional offer based on level of English, and you are an international student who resides in China or Iran, you will be directed to the Password test page by email.
3. Go to the page and read everything carefully: http://sydney.edu.au/cet/test-centre/password-test.html
4. Check that you can meet the preparation requirements for this online test (computer, software, and other equipment, suitable test-taking environment)
5. Use the link to register your interest
6. Receive the email from CET (Centre for English Teaching) that gives instructions on how to pay for the test.
7. Pay for the test using your credit card.
   1. The cost to complete the test through CET and the University of Sydney is AUD$245.
8. Wait for an email from the International Recruitment team at the University of Sydney that:
   1. confirms your payment has been received
   2. gives you a “test token”
   3. gives you “practice tokens” so you can practice for the test. Do not proceed until you receives this email.
9. Register with ProctorU
10. Make an appointment online, via ProctorU, for your test date and time.
11. Complete Password skills test
12. Depending on the result of your test, you will either be sent an Unconditional Offer or be emailed with options for meeting our English language requirements.

Please use the following link to register your interest for Password Skills test. CET will contact you to arrange payment and provide you with your test token. The cost to complete the test through CET and the University of Sydney is AUD$245.

System and equipment

Minimum system requirements for the Password Skills test are as follows:

• Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 or above. You must use a personal computer with Windows installed on it. You may not use a tablet or phone or a computer running Mac OS.
• Chrome or Mozilla Firefox
• 2.4 GHz Processor, Dual core or Hyper-threaded
• Minimum 512 MB free memory (RAM)
• Minimum of 1 GB free disk space (Storage)
• Minimum 13-inch display with 1024 x 768 resolution, recommended 15-inch 1920 x 1080
• Recommended internet speed is 35 Mbps download speed. Minimum internet speed is 1.5 Mbps download speed.

Additional Requirements for Listening and Speaking Modules:

• Headphones (3.5 mm or USB powered)
• Microphone (3.5 mm or USB powered)
• Adobe Flash Player for Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
• Audio Codec ’97 or HD Audio capabilities
• 200KB/s of available upload and download speed.

Environment and testing space

Privacy

• You must be alone in a room where you will not be interrupted during the test.
• Completing the test in public spaces such as a park, internet cafe or restaurant is not allowed.

Desk and seating

• You must take the test with your computer and keyboard on a desk or other tabletop surface.
• The desk and area around it must be clear of all items not approved for use during the test.
• You must be sitting in a standard chair. You may not sit on a couch or overstuffed chair or sit or lie on a bed.
• Food and drink are not allowed while you are sitting the test.

Clothing and appearance

• You must dress appropriately for your test. Please note that you will be monitored by the proctor via camera, and your photo will be distributed with institutions that receive your test scores.
• Avoid wearing items such as jewellery, tie clips, cuff links, ornate clips, combs, barrettes, headbands and other hair accessories.

Note-taking materials

• You may only take notes on one A4 piece of blank scratch paper.
• You will be asked to tear up all notes in view of the proctor at the end of the test.

Before registration please ensure:

• You have checked that you meet the preparation requirements for the test shown on this page.
• Paid CET to undertake the test. We cannot provide a refund if you do not meet the preparation requirements for the test.

Please use this link to register online with ProctorU.

1. Choose ‘University of Sydney’ then complete your details as shown below.


2. Select your Time Zone.
3. Make sure you provide your phone number correctly so ProctorU can contact you during the exam if they need to provide technical support.
4. Create your account and wait for an email from ProctorU to confirm your account.

Book your Password Skills test through ProctorU

Follow these steps to choose your test date and time:

• Login to ProctorU
• Select 'schedule'
• Find your desired date and time to take the test and then click "select", then "schedule". Please note that the test is divided into Part 1 and Part 2 and you will need to select a time to take both tests together. We estimate the total combined time for the test to be 200 minutes.
• When you have completed these steps, the details will be confirmed online and will be sent to you via email.

Please follow these steps at your selected test time:

• Login to your ProctorU account. Please ensure you are on time. You will have up to 15 minutes after your test time to check-in. If you do not begin the check-in within that time then your test will be cancelled and you will not receive a refund for your test.
• Select "Start Session".
• Please note that due to high test volume, it may take up to 30 minutes to be connected with a proctor. During this time please do not exit and rejoin the application window as this will reset your position to the end of the queue.
• You will need to complete some steps to confirm your identity including showing your ID to the proctor. The name on your ID must match the name on your account. If you are logged off at any point in the session, you will be required to confirm your identity with the proctor again.
• The proctor will go through the exam rules with you and will request remote access to your computer screen during the test for monitoring purposes.
• The proctor will request that you use either a mirror or cell phone to display your computer screen to them.
• The proctor will request that you display a 360-degree view of the room using your computer camera, including your tabletop surface.
• The proctor will direct you to enter your test token code.

Your test results may be deemed invalid if there is found an academic integrity breach in one or more of the following areas:

• You need to be visible at all times on camera. Suspicious movements could invalidate your test.
• You are not allowed to use any unauthorised materials, which includes mobile devices, prewritten notes or textbooks.
• You may not communicate with anyone else.
• You must show valid ID
• You must complete the registration process successfully
• You are not allowed to wear headphones during the exam

Please review the table below for the equivalent IELTS and CEFR levels for Password Skills test results. In order to check the packaged English language requirements, find the equivalent IELTS result for your Password test result and then check the Direct Entry Course page under "Outline of entry requirements".

*Students requiring scores in the C2 Range, ‘Password Band 7 and above’ will be required to achieve a prespecified grade 7A, 7B, 7C to meet the University of Sydney English Entry requirements.

Please review the tables below for English language entry requirements for entering a degree program directly at the University of Sydney.

Minimum IELTS equivalent

IELTS 6.5 equivalent

IELTS 7.0 equivalent

IELTS 7.5 equivalent

IELTS 8.0 equivalent