A few days ago, I completed the Michigan English Test (MET) from Michigan Language Assessment.  I took a few notes while everything was still fresh in my mind:

1. The pre-test process was smooth. Proctoring is handled by Prometric, and they are pretty good at this sort of thing. The process began with a check-in specialist who was visible to me. She was able to answer a few questions I had about the test.
2. All of the pre-test procedures (including a room scan) took about 35 minutes.  That’s long… but normal.  I wonder if test companies track this stat. They probably should.
3. The Prometric software includes the option to cross out answers in multiple choice questions (by right clicking on them).  I love, love, love this.  All of the other proctoring companies should steal this feature. It seems like a small thing, but it helps.
4. One potential issue is worth noting.  At the end of the speaking section I clicked a button to finish the test.  But to exit the proctoring software, I was given a warning and required to click a button that said:  “yes, exit the application and abandon the exam.”  That’s not very good phrasing.  The proctor said it was okay, but I asked him to leave a note on my account.
5. I like the introductory video from Michigan Assessment at the beginning that describes how the test software works.  I also like the pleasant man who later appeared to explain the speaking section.
6. The proctor told me I could request a 10 minute break at any time, during which the test would be paused.  Weird. I didn’t take her up on the offer, as she said I’d have to do a room scan before resuming the test.
7. The test is listed at 155 minutes.  That means it is longer than the category average.  That said, I suspect most test takers won’t use all of that time.  The timers are pretty generous.
8. Note-taking on paper is not allowed, but there is a “scratch pad” built into the Prometric software.  It is kinda clunky.
9. The test includes a mix of general and academic English.  It is mostly general English.  I know there is some debate about what “academic English” even means… but I think you get the point. This isn’t the TOEFL iBT.
10. The test includes some old-school grammar questions.  You don’t see many of those on tests nowadays.
11. The listening section is likely the most challenging for test-takers.  There are short questions that really get into the nuances of word choice, and longer ones that are not as nuanced, but require the test-taker to keep a lot of balls in the air.
12. The speaking section has one “describe the picture” task and four questions that could be described as “independent speaking tasks.”
13. There are no integrated tasks in any of the sections.

That’s all for now.  I hope to take two more tests before my holiday starts in mid-January.  If anyone wants me to share a few words about their test here, remember that I’ll take any English test if it is cheap or I can get a voucher.

I’ve scheduled an appointment to take the Michigan English Test (MET) tomorrow.  I’ll take the at-home version.  I’ve wanted to take this test for ages, so I’m happy to finally find the time to do so.

The MET is the successor to the old MELAB tests, which some readers might remember. Michigan Language Assessment has been doing English language testing since the beginning of recorded human history.  Today their tests are developed in partnership with Cambridge University Press & Assessment.

Update:  you can now read my full report on the test.

A few pre-test notes are worth sharing:

1. I will take the three hour, 4-skill version of the MET.  There is a 2-skill version which can only be taken at test centers.
2. The at-home version costs between $151 and $205, depending on where it is taken from.  That’s a fairly competitive price.  In comparison, the at-home TOEFL test costs between $185 and $450.
3. At-home proctoring is by Prometric.  Test center proctoring is done by Prometric and the MET network of authorized centers.
4. The test is accepted at a decent number of schools.  The website lists 966 accepting institutions.  But you know how those things are – some schools are counted more than once.  It seems to have great coverage in Atlantic Canada.
5. Healthcare licensure seems like an area of focus for the test.  That’s wonderful.
6. Payment and registration is fairly straightforward.  That said, I’m not crazy about the two-step process wherein test takers first register and pay on the MET website, and then take a activation code over to the Prometric website to make an appointment.  I get why smaller tests prefer this approach… but it isn’t great.  Test takers really won’t know what test center/at-home slots are available until after they’ve paid. Heck, they might not even know the location of the test center.
7. I contacted MET’s customer service for help and they were really professional and pleasant to deal with.  That’s rare in this industry.
8. The cancellation/reschedule fee is $100 when done 5-29 days before the test.  Free when done 30+ days before.  Could be better.
9. There is some (but not a ton) test prep on the MET website. There is a printed prep book from 2019 which I will read if I can track down a library copy.
10. The University of King’s College started accepting MET scores in October.  I used to go there to look at the microfilms. I miss those days.

Will share a few more notes when I’m done.  Let me know if there is anything I might keep an eye out for.