I'm sharing my study tips because I could not find much before I did the test. There were no useful guides in helping me in QET test back then in 2018 so I thought of writing this blog post.
What is NUS QET?
It is an English essay test which tests your English proficiency. The paper is 1h 30min long and it takes place at NUS on a single day.
Who takes NUS QET?
Those who got D and below for Alevels General Paper (that's me!), polytechnic and foreign students.
I scored well in GP in school but I didn't do well in Alevels. I got an E for Alevels.
Why take NUS QET?
You must take QET to graduate from the school and complete English modules if you fail the test.
Why you should pass QET?
This is because there are a lot of people bidding for the English module and as a newbie, you would not have enough points to compete with those seniors. Taking an English module also disallows you from taking other electives because it can overload your MCs.
How's my result?
I passed!! And that is why I shall share some of my tips on preparing for this exam. I did not have to take any English modules.
I think I took 4 days to study.
1. Understand what you are tested!
Go and download the sample paper from the NUS website.
For Alevels students: It is similar to the Application Question (AQ) and writing an Essay.
Generally, it wants you to make comparisons between the two sided arguments. Make a stand and stick to it. I would classify the essay as a argumentative+comparison essay.
 |
| views as of 6/8/23 |
Organisation-Intro-Body-Conclusion
Language-Vocab and grammar
2. Train your basics.
Maybe after the holidays, your writing skills can be very rusty.
Introduction-Body-Conclusion
What makes an overall good essay?
-Balanced
-Accurate not biased
-Reasonable not over-generalisation
-Valid not invalid
-Logical not illogical
Introduction writing
Follow HOOK-BACKGROUND(2 debatable sides)-THESIS
Hook-asking a question, provide an anecdote
Background- DEFINE what is conventional medicine and what is traditional medicine.
A good thesis
1. Focused who? what?
2. Debatable
3. Picks a side-Author A/B
4. Makes a claim
Ok I cannot remember my thesis in the exam so I am giving an example that I prepared before the exam. It is a statement that tells the reader what your three paragraphs are going to be talking about.
E.g. The United States government should be against the current level of abortion because it hurts the physical and mental well being of mothers, hurts the economy and hurts family planning.
Paragraph Writing
Follow PEEL- a common technique used since secondary school.
Point-Elaboration-Example-Link
Question asks: A is better than B because of this reason1 and reason2.
B is better than A because of this reason3 and reason4.
Therefore just keep in mind: Stick to your claim.
Claim: A is better than B because of reason. or B is better than A because of reason.
Intro-For-For-Against-Rebuttal-Conclusion
Rebuttal is a paragraph where you can include exceptions of your claim to level up your essay. This is a high level writing skill. It is to show the reader that your point will never be fully right, there will always be exceptions and you should address that.
You can also use Rebuttal to refute the Against paragraph so that you are supporting the author throughout.
Bonus writing
Analyse the issue from different angles and levels from micro to macro level.
-personal (I shared about my experience with the Three Legs cooling water-a form of traditional medicine. How it helped me to remove the heatiness when I was sick.)
-social
-national
-regional
-international
-global
SPERMA-Factors-Situational essay
S-Social/Scientific
P-Political
E-Economic/Ethical/Environmental
R-Religious/Racial
M-Media/Medical
A-Artistic and Cultural
Comparing 2 items
-General vs Specific
-Foreign vs Local
-Short term vs Long term
-Core vs Periphery
-Perspectives
Linking devices-For essay flow
Similarity
-Likewise
-Similarly
-As well as
Contrast
-However
-Instead
-On the other hand
-Despite
Adding information
-Furthermore
-Moreover
-In addition
Adding examples
-For example
-For instance
-In particular
-To illustrate this point
-This is supported by a study
Showing effect
-As a result
-Consequently
-Hence
-Therefore
-Thus
-Eventually
Conclusion writing
-paraphrase thesis and combine topic sentences
-reveal insight-like an overall big picture or look an issue a new way
Before ending your essay
-do a 5min quick grammar check.
3. Learn difficult vocabulary to replace easy words
For example,
a lot->myriad, plethora
says->asserts
bad->egregious
wrong->erroneous
causes->engenders
uses->employs
motivates->galvanise
thinks->reasons
improve->ameliorate
worsen->exacerbate
This would level up your essay and leave a good impression.
And these are commonly used words so you would have a high chance of using it.
The list does not end here, do continue to fill up yours.
-Update 2019 vocab list-
I received feedback that this component is useful so I going to add on more vocab.
Do take note that vocab is a bonus in your essay and do not try to squeeze into your essay if it does not fit right.
good->advantageous->beneficial
explain->elucidate
eliminate->eradicate
agree->concur
ease->alleviate
kind->benevolent
doubt->dubious
innate->inherent
give praise->laudatory
new->novel
importance->paramount
acceptable->plausible
seriousness->profound
dilemma-quandary
unnecessary->superfluous
existing everywhere-> pervasive influence of television
remedy->antidote
solution->panacea
true-> bona-fide
change quickly->capricious
best example->epitome of
significant-> noteworthy, notable
argument->contention
harmless->innocuous
spur->catalyse
controversial->contentious
spark->ignite
spotless->unblemished
damaging->detrimental
How I practise using my vocab
Throughout an analysis essay, you probably would craft a myriad of phrases employing the word "prove". However, it is advantageous to include a greater variety of words, in order to engender an essay worthy of an A. You would never want to use this word erroneously or else you will have an egregious outcome. Your teacher wants to see that the piece you read would galvanise you to assert your opinion with a wider vocabulary. Before you use this word, a salient step is to ensure that you reason through all your vocabulary.
4. If you got a lot of time, write a full essay under timed conditions. For me, I just wrote one Intro and one Body paragraph because I was too lazy. And do practise on comparison/argumentative essays! Look out for two sided arguments for example, A is good. A is bad. Then you have to make a stand whether you side that A is good or A is bad.
One day before the test
Check the exam venue, where and how to go.
Check your seat number.
Check how early you have to come.
Bring your matriculation card and receipt.
On the test date
Just chill and go in take the test.
Take note of the time.
Take 15 minutes to plan your essay.
Finish the paper! YES, FINISH.
If you realise you do not have enough time, like me, shorten the last paragraph and move on to conclusion.
Updates on topics
2018-Traditional medicine vs. Contemporary medicine.
2019-University rankings shaping our perspective on the quality of educational institutions.
2020-Virtual Reality Benefits and Cons- enhance skills training, entertainment but also brings detrimental health effects
2021-Deepfake (use of deep learning and artificial intelligence to doctor images and videos) and Toxic positivity/Positive body Image
Updates
2018- Paper exam, present matriculation card
2019- Digital exam on Examplify, pre-QET briefing.
2020- QET briefing on APA style citation. John (2010) or (John, 2010)
2020- QET briefing on APA style citation. John (2010) or (John, 2010)
Allowed to download paper 20 times.
2021- word limit of 600 words
2021- word limit of 600 words
Hi. Do you still have the sample paper for the QET as I could not seem to find it on the website provided by NUS?
ReplyDeleteAnd anyway, thank you for your tips and information about the test.
Hello thank you for visiting my blog, I googled "nus qet sample" and this came out http://www.nus.edu.sg/celc/programmes/files/DET_SAMPLE%20updated%202016_210616.pdf
DeleteThe topic for my paper in 2018 was about traditional medicine vs modern medicine.
Oh, this is the DET though, which is different from QET :( I tried to search it but the link I got was dead so I had no idea what the sample paper looks like haha
DeleteHello not to worry because that paper is pretty much the same as the actual. There would always be 2 sides of the argument. For vs against and you have to take a stand. Only the topics would change.
DeleteI'm actually really stressed about the QETs cause I also unexpectedly didn't do well for GP at As and I'm scared of another accident happening >< But I'm so glad I at least found your blog post to help with preparation a little, thank youu!
ReplyDeleteThanks for viewing my blog and I sincerely hope that you can do well for the test. I heard that the exam is now digital using Examplify. Take note that there is no wifi when you start the online paper. Most importantly, follow the instructions on the Question Paper.
DeleteHi! I'm a bit confused about how to use the sources provided. Can I clarify if by "it's like AQ and essay", you mean that you had used the points from the two authors as your points (like AQ) with your own evidence (or can you also use their examples?) and did the essay structure of 2-for-1-against?
ReplyDelete1) Used points from the two authors- On the paper they give you a main question. Answer that main question consistently throughout the whole essay. NO MATTER WHAT. When you are writing, keep looking back at the question and check if you are writing to answer the question. That main question would point out what Author A is saying and what Author B is saying and what is your view/stand. And you should not just directly copy what the author said, like in "AQ" try to rephrase the sentence but do not change the meaning. E.g. Conventional medicine is better than traditional medicine because of (point). If you want to play safe, you can quote what the author says first then write your rephrased point.
ReplyDelete1) Like "essay" is because I am sure you learned in school on how to start an essay in the introduction. DEFINE- you have define what is conventional medicine. What is traditional medicine. KEYWORD-safer to consume-so keyword is safe-keep rephrasing the word safe->secure->reassuring. Introduction format is HOOK-BACKGROUND-THESIS.
2) I used my own evidence to support the examples in the essay. I add on what the author said. It is like I am supporting this author throughout the paragraph. If you just use their examples, that really beats the purpose of asking you to write essay because you are not writing your own ideas.
3) yes 2 for. 1 against. and then 4th paragraph-REFUTATION paragraph by saying that there are exceptions. This is a high level skill writing.This shows that there are flaws in your argument that you want to address. And this 4th paragraph is the one that sets your essay apart from others because you are unbiased. E.g. 1st and 2nd paragraph FOR-support Author A- I wrote Conventional medicine is better. 3rd paragraph AGAINST-support Author B- I wrote Conventional is not better than Traditional medicine because . 4th paragraph- write exceptions about your 1st and 2nd paragraph. I hope that I have answered your question. There is actually a lot to essay writing.
Thank you for such a detailed reply! I just had my test earlier today and it didn't go as well as I had hoped but fingers crossed I still get band 3. But no matter my results, your post has been truly helpful for my prep and I wanted to let you know I appreciate it!!
DeleteYou are welcome :)
DeleteHi. I'm a bit confused about how citation works in this exam. In the DET sample on the Internet there are two texts, each with its own title but ends with "Adapted from ...(source they adapted from, e.g. Mckie, R...)." So, do I cite the text by citing its title (e.g. "Text A Title," n.d.) or by citing the author/source the texts adapt from (e.g. Mckie, 2012)? Also, do I need to put a reference list at the end of the essay? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHello, last time the test was done on paper. No reference list needed.This year it is done on exam software Examplify on computer. This exam software disallows Wifi and locks you inside the essay. There is NO WIFI. The answer is NO, no need for reference list. :) Imagine making a reference list with no Wifi. My poly friend also asked me about citation as yall probably learned in school to do APA style. However, poor JC friends never learned about this APA citation. If I want to cite the author, I would just write. "I agree with John that (his example). This is substantiated by a study (your example). "
DeleteOh, so you didn't use citation formats like APA? I thought I'm required to use it as it's mentioned in Q09 of the FAQ section (http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/events/registration/faqs-for-qet.html). It's good if it's not necessary cuz it's so weird to use it in this essay.
DeleteNo I didnt use. I didnt even see this portion Q9. I heard that there is even a preQET briefing this year. In my year, preQET briefing is unheard of. Did they mention about citation? If you want to do citation like in Q9, go ahead. No harm.
DeleteOk. Thank you for your info :) Appreciate it!
DeleteThank you so much for this content!
ReplyDeleteIntroduction (Hook, Background, Thesis)
FOR (PEEL)
FOR (PEEL)
AGAINST (PEEL)
REBUTTAL: Acknowledge any potential fallacies (PEEL)
CONCLUSION (Paraphrase Thesis, Reveal Insights).
Is my understanding accurate?
Thanks again
Yup!
DeleteHi, can I just check with you what were the things you focused on during the 4 days you studied? I feel like theres so much content to know and that the test could be anything under the sun. Currently, apart from studying the format and reading some model essays here and there, I don't know what I should be focusing on.
ReplyDeleteI mainly focused on the everyday use vocab as mentioned above because I'm sure I will be able use it to elevate my writing no matter which topic that comes out.
DeleteThank you so much for this :)
ReplyDeleteHi there, you are welcome :D
DeleteHi, can I check with you that since we are to use our own experiences, we can use words such as "personally" and "I"? Does that also mean that this QET essay is not a pure argumentative one too?
ReplyDeleteI mentioned about my experience as an example in the paragraph. yeah you can use "I". Argumentative still because it wants you to take a stand.
DeleteHelllo, can you give an example of how to write the rebuttal paragraph. I'm not really sure how to write it :( Thanks in advance!! :)
ReplyDeletemy first two paragraphs are For-contemporary medicine better
Deletethird paragraph i write Against-traditional medicine better
four paragraph i write Rebuttal- However, traditional medicine may harm the health of its consumers as their effectiveness is not scientifically proven whereas contemporary medicine has been through a series of lab tests and research to prove its effectiveness in improving the health of its consumers.
So for rebuttal, you try to sieve out what are the flaws of the traditional medicine that contemporary medicine has. This would further support that contemporary medicine is better rather than just blindly writing another Against paragraph.
Hi! Thanks for this informative post! May I know if the topic given in the sample paper would be the same as/similar to the actual test?
ReplyDeleteFor example, if the sample paper's topic is about medicine, would the actual test be about something medicine or science related too? Like for your case, was your sample paper's topic on medicine? Since the actual test's topic was on Traditional medicine vs. Contemporary medicine. Basically asking is the sample paper's topic closely related to the actual test's topic and question.
Thank you once again for your time! :)
No. The topic would be different each year. No. Sample paper has nothing to do with the actual test topic.
DeleteHello, may I know how the test differs in 2019 Examplify format? Especially when quoting, can we copy and paste texts from the reading texts since they are already in digital format? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteExamplify doesn't allow copy and paste. no wifi also
DeleteHello! I have vividly reading your blogspot and it helped me for my nursing interview! I got accepted. I have another problem to tackle which is the QET. Do they provide us with an essay to read and quote examples from? I am afraid of writing without any knowledge of how to since the last time I wrote an English essay was for O levels. I did not scored well for it too...
ReplyDeleteHello, thanks for reading my blogspot. Congrats to you for being accepted into nursing. Yes, the exam provides you 2 essays to read. Each essay takes an opposite stand from each other. You can quote the example but you should add in your own example to support the example they gave. QET test your knowledge so it is not a mere copy and paste example, you should bring in relevant examples in.
Deletedo i need to learn how to do proper citation since i might be using information from their texts?
ReplyDeleteYes, I heard from the latest QET briefing on 30 June that citation is APA style which means you should write it as John (2010) or (John, 2010)
DeleteDo I need to state which author I agree with more at the start of the essay like an AQ? It is sufficient if my thesis statement only includes which claim I support? Also, for do I have to answer the body paras like GP AQ e.g. I agree with XXX's claim to a large extent as mentioned in or I should simply write my point like an argumentative essay e.g. Firstly, I support the claim because (reason)? Thanks a lot!
ReplyDelete1. When the question asks you "Which view do you agree with?" Yes, state which author you agree with. I did state.
Delete2. No, do not start essay with which author you agree with. Start with a full introduction. Remember that this is an argumentative essay. I slotted in which author I agree with in my thesis.
3. No, not sufficient. Your thesis should include at least 3 topics that you are going to support, including the opposition.
4. Body paragraphs I start with topic sentence, like an argumentative essay. I do not start with "I support the claim". I would write it "as supported by research done by [insert organisation]".
Hi yuelun! Thank you for this wonderful blog post! Am a poly graduate myself and unsure on how to write the rebuttal paragraph. From what you stated above, Intro-For-For-Against-Rebuttal-Conclude. Could you please briefly explain how does one write on the rebuttal paragraph? Thank you!
Deletemy first two paragraphs are For-contemporary medicine better
Deletethird paragraph i write Against-traditional medicine better
four paragraph i write Rebuttal- However, traditional medicine may harm the health of its consumers as their effectiveness is not scientifically proven whereas contemporary medicine has been through a series of lab tests and research to prove its effectiveness in improving the health of its consumers.
So for rebuttal, you try to sieve out what are the flaws of the traditional medicine that contemporary medicine has. This would further support that contemporary medicine is better rather than just blindly writing another Against paragraph.
Main point of rebuttal is to "fight back" the Against paragraph. Address exceptions.
thank you so so much!!! :) you're a blessing!
Deleteyou're welcome :D
DeleteHi, do u have any tips on how to further elab the points in the texts?
ReplyDeleteI don't get what you mean. You can try rephrasing the points in the texts which can help you in your elaboration,
DeleteThank you so much for this informative instructional guide! Has been extremely helpful in enabling me to prepare for my QET! :)
ReplyDeleteyou're welcome :) atb!
DeleteHi I've been using your guide to prepare for my QET and it's been very helpful and informative! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteHowever I would like to ask, the question was "A has more advantages than B. Do your support the view?" and I only realised afterwards I never stated whether or not I supported the view. I only wrote "B has more advantages than A."
Will I be penalised? T_T
You won't be penalised over a sentence "I do not support the view that A has more advantages than B." As long as your stand is "B has more advantages than A" throughout your essay, you should do fine.
DeleteHi thank you for the post! I did my QET yesterday, however i realized i spent too much time reading the articles. I couldnt finish it and didnt hit the word count:( Did any of your friends get exemption with incomplete essay?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about that. Since the exam was over, I didn't ask.
Deletehello! i used your tips for july 2020's qet and it greatly helped me during the paper! just checked my results today and i got band 3! thank you~
ReplyDeleteI feel so happy for you!! :D you are welcome
DeleteHi! Im actually taking my QET2 test tmr morning (20 nov) and i didnt prepare anything and im kinda panicking now, and looking through ur blogpsot. By any chance will the topic of july 2020 be the same as nov 2020? :')
ReplyDeletealso, thanks for the
Intro
For
For
Against
Rebuttal (to support the FOR side again)
Conclusion
format!
With just 500 word count, wont it mean that one paragraph has slightly less thna 100 words, is the QET test loookin for depth of knowledge or do they just want you to mention each point briefly?
sflr, nope topics won't be repeated. I think depth of knowledge is better than touch and go.
DeleteThank you for ur blog! I got band 3 and im exempted from ES mods :)
DeleteMy topic was an argumentative essay whether the healthcare of citizens should be a responsibility of the citizens or the govt!
I had my intro,
for (it is our personal responsibility, then I evidence with facts from article)
for (it is our personal responsibility, evidenced from fact from article)
against (however, govt still plays a role)
rebuttal (I was out of points so I gave some very common sense fluff things that wasn't mentioned in article. I talked about how if we don't even bother to take care of our own health, no one can help us, not even the govt, so personal health starts with up. ALL FLUFF, just 2-3lines)
conclusion (I kinda did a double sided stand, but lean to FOR: "Although the government plays a key role in provided a support system, there is only so much the govt can do - to spread awareness etc, and it is up to the citizens whether they want to follow, so its on them black black)
it was quite similar to the rebuttal. rebuttal about 3 lines, conclusion also about 3 lines.
Congrats and thanks for sharing your experience :)
DeleteHi! Thank you for the blog post, it has been a great help:) May I know if you memorise any content and statistics before taking QET? If so, how did you choose what to focus on? Thank you in advance!
ReplyDeletehi you are welcome! I didn't memorise content and statistics but I kept myself abreast of current affairs and debates (the focus) so it would be easier for me to support my argument with relevant examples (the focus). Statistics are ever-changing so it can be out of date.
DeleteHi! Thank you for such an informative blogpost, reading up about the QET, there will be 2 passages that will be aligned with the questions correct? Since the passage is already talking about the problem at hand, is there any reasons we can take from there to use in our essays, as PEEL points
ReplyDelete?
hi, yeah 2 opposing passages. usually the first sentence in each paragraph is P-point, then the examples inside the paragraph you can elaborate further and not just take the reasons
DeleteHello, for the 2 articles that is given to us, can we copy word for word or must we rephrase the article in our own words for the essay?
ReplyDeleterephrase every word in your own words, you are taking an exam, not copying an exam.
DeleteHi thank you for the detailed explanation. However I would like to clarify if I can start my body paragraphs with my stand followed by citations from the text to support my point?
ReplyDeleteE.g. I believe that traditional medicines are more effective because ... This is supported by the author in text A who states " quote" ... Followed by my elaboration and example.
Will this be acceptable?
try not to use the word "believe" as this is an argumentative essay, you need to take a stand and support it with evidence. you can use "I largely agree", "I concur". try not to "quote" but rather rephrase the author's stand or point sentence. otherwise structure is fine.
DeleteHi! Do I have to be equipped with many examples to add in the essay or can I just use examples provided in the text?
ReplyDelete2 examples, better to use your own examples, this is an exam, not copying of examples.
Deletehello! just to ask for the stand in your thesis, the 3 pts that u chosen - 2 is for and 1 is rebuttal right?
ReplyDeleteif it is thesis, then you should include 2 for, 1 against. The rebuttal is not included in the thesis but it comes after the against paragraph to reinforce your for paragraphs.
ReplyDeleteHi! I am wondering as for the body (for, for, against and rebuttal), do the points(topic), elaboration and example have to come from the 2 articles provided?
ReplyDeleteAnd for the rebuttal and conclusion, how do we make it less similar?
Yes. Read the QET instructions again, it says "Support your views with ideas drawn from the reading texts, your experience and your knowledge". Then, elaboration and examples you can draw from your experience or knowledge.
DeleteRebuttal is mainly to go back and support your For paragraphs and tackle your Against paragraph. Conclusion is to summarise all the 4 paragraphs and end it with your stand. They are vastly different.
I'm very confused about how I'm suppose to make my essay. I understand the format and the need to paraphrase. Just that the main points, do I make them based off the texts or based of the question? I know I need to answer the question.
ReplyDeleteSO for example the university ranking topic, one of my main points was power imbalance and evidence used was one text saying that higher rank institutions have more funding. Is this correct? Or am I supposed to come up with other main points not really addressed by the texts?
Also, when citing from the text, can I put two different sections into one sentence?
Main points is made based off the texts that answers the question.
DeleteI don't have that university ranking essay so I cant answer you.
thanks!! that main point thing really confused me :)
DeleteHi, do you have an example of how do i write a thesis with an "against"point. Because i find it weird/confusing to write my thesis with 2 for and 1 against.
ReplyDeleteFrom the example you gave which is "E.g. The United States government should be against the current level of abortion because it hurts the physical and mental well being of mothers, hurts the economy and hurts family planning."
How do i add my against point in this thesis?
The recent QET1 had a morning and afternoon session. The morning paper was about deepfake whether support it or not. The afternoon paper was about whether the body positivity movement supports all body types or whether it promotes unhealthy illnesses such as obesity.
ReplyDelete