Introduction of 2018 English Entrance Exam

CUC-NTU Master Program

TOEFL ITP

Applicants can find information about the test and do practice papers by following this link: https://www.ets.org/toefl_itp/content/sample_questions/ . Please advise applicants to click on the Level 1 information (intermediate to advanced).

Writing test

Purpose of the test

The NTU Writing test is designed to assess a wide range of writing skills which are required for study on UK university degree programmes. The test will assess how well you

· write an appropriate response

· organise your ideas

· use a range of vocabulary and grammar accurately and appropriately

Timing

The NTU Writing test takes 50 minutes. You need to manage your own time. It is recommended that you divide your time as follows:

· reading the input text: 10 minutes

· planning your writing: 5 minutes

· writing: 30 minutes

· checking your writing: 5 minutes

The writing task

There is only one task in the NTU Writing test. you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view or an issue which is contained in a short input text.

You will read this input text before you start to answer the essay question. The input reading text will be no longer than 400 words and will be on a topic of general interest (such as ‘the role of social media in society’ or ‘the best way to learn a foreign language’). You should find the input text interesting and easy to understand.

You will be asked to write at least 300 words. The task will allow you to respond to the ideas in the input text and also to write from your own experience.

You should write in a formal style.

What you should bring to the test

· Pen(s)

· Eraser

· Bottle of water (if required)

· Your ID document

What you should not bring to the test

· Any electronic devices (including telephones)

· Papers with notes

· Dictionaries

Marking

Your Writing test will be marked by experienced NTU English lecturers.

How to prepare for the NTU Writing test

· Practise looking at a variety of essay questions, and think about what each question is asking you to do and how you answer it.

· Practise writing paragraphs on a variety of topics under timed conditions. Exchange these paragraphs with other students, and ask them to give you feedback on your use of grammar, and vocabulary, and how you organise your ideas.

· Look back at any pieces of writing you have done recently, and reflect on your strengths, and weaknesses.

· Look at the sample NTU Writing test, and familiarise yourself with the format and instructions.

· Look carefully at the Assessment Criteria below, and familiarise yourself with them.

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION	ANSWER
Should I write with pen or pencil?	Please use a black pen.
What if I make a mistake?	Just cross it out neatly and write your correction.
My handwriting is poor. Will it affect my mark?	No. But we do need to be able to read what you have written!
If I cannot write 300 words will it affect my mark?	No provided still answer the question adequately.
What if I write more than 300 words?	If you write more that is fine but make sure what you write is relevant to the question and that you avoid repetition.
Should I give a reference for the pre-writing text?	No you do not need to give the reference for the pre-writing text.
Can I use ideas of my own which are not included in the text?	Yes provided they are relevant to the essay question.
Can I copy words from the text?	You may need to use some key words from the text in your answer but do not copy phrases or sentences. Try to paraphrase ideas from the texts in your own words.
Are grammar and spelling important?	Yes. Leave time to check your spelling and grammar at the end.
What is the passing grade for this test?	You need to achieve an overall PEAP grade of at least 60. (Please see the assessment criteria below.)

Speaking test

Purpose of the test

The NTU Speaking test is designed to assess a wide range of speaking skills which are required for study on UK university degree programmes. The test will assess how well you:

· can organise your ideas in an extended talk.

· respond appropriately with a partner to complete a task.

· use a range of vocabulary, and grammar accurately and appropriately.

· speak with clear pronunciation, and intonation.

Timing

The NTU Speaking test takes around 15 minutes.

The speaking test

There are three parts to the Speaking Test. Details of each part are given below. You also have some ideas on how to prepare for the test.

Part 1 (Interview)

Whats in Part 1?	Conversation with the examiner. The examiner asks you and your partner questions on a number of personal subjects ( e.g. home town, daily routines, hobbies) .
What do I have to practise?	Giving personal information and expressing opinions.
How long do we have to speak?	About 5 minutes

Part 2 (Long turn)

Whats in Part 2?	A mini-presentation on a topic about graduate attributes and/or study skills (e.g. the benefits of collaboration, the most effective ways to learn new words). You have 1 minute to prepare to a presentation lasting approximately 2 minutes.
What do I have to practise?	Talking on your own about being a student: giving information, and expressing and justifying opinions.
How long do we have to speak?	About 5 minutes

Part 3 (Extended discussion)

Whats in Part 3 ?	You will be asked questions relating to the topic of the text you read in the writing test. This will relate to Broadcast Journalism, Media and Globalisation, and Cultural Heritage (e.g. the uses of social media). You do not need specialist knowledge of your subject to respond to the questions. The assessor asks follow-up questions to explore the topic in more depth.
What do I have to practi c e?	Turn-taking, exchanging information, expressing and justifying opinions, speculating, comparing and contrasting, agreeing and/or disagreeing, etc.
How long do we have to speak?	About 5 minutes

What you should bring to the test

· Bottle of water (if required)

· Your ID document

What you should not bring to the test

· Any electronic devices (including telephones)

· Papers with notes

· Dictionaries

Assessors

You will be assessed by an experienced NTU English lecturer.

How to prepare for the NTU Speaking test

· Think about the personal topics you could be asked to talk about in Part 1 of the test. Practise speaking about these everyday topics.

· To prepare for Part 2 of the test, think about what skills a successful student needs to have. Practise preparing a presentation on each topic in one minute. The practise speaking on the topic for about two minutes.

· You will be asked to comment on, and develop ideas related to the topic on the text from the writing test. To prepare for Part 3 of the test, read the text carefully and try to explore the topic in more depth. Discuss the topic with a friend.

· Review expressions you can use for giving and justifying opinions, turn-taking and speculating, agreeing and disagreeing, etc.

· Look carefully at the Assessment Criteria below and familiarise yourself with them.

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION	ANSWER
Do I need to know a lot about my subject?	No. Your examiner will ask you to talk about being a student and some general questions about the text you read for the writing test. You do not need to know a lot about your academic subject to complete the speaking test.
What should I do if I cannot understand my examiner?	Your examiner will use simple language and will speak slowly. If you do not understand, ask the examiner to repeat what they said.