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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. Update: It was fine. No problem.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Note-taking on paper is not allowed, but there is a “scratch pad” built into the Prometric software. It is kinda clunky.
- 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.
- The test includes some old-school grammar questions. You don’t see many of those on tests nowadays.
- 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.
- The speaking section has one “describe the picture” task and four questions that could be described as “independent speaking tasks.”
- 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.