The International Department has moved away from paper-based proficiency testing with the preferred online, pre-departure format using the well-known platform of Duolingo.

Duolingo will be known to most and it is being used at countless educational facilities around the world.  Burnside High School has registered with this provider so that our new students may assess themselves and advise us of their proficiency scores well before arriving in New Zealand.  This will allow students to obtain a realistic understanding of their true English ability and allow us to make provisions for all of the new students well before arrival.  I feel this will benefit all parties involved.  

Below is a copy of the letter that will be sent out to each student/parent/agent once an online enrolment has been received here at school. 

Please make allowances for this new process and advise all students of this new, necessary step in enrolment. Please note, the testing fee is to be met by the student.

We are writing to inform you of a new language proficiency option available to international applicants. We now accept the Duolingo English Test, a convenient and affordable English proficiency test that can be taken online, on demand, anywhere in the world.
The test requires an internet connection and a computer with a camera and microphone. You should be in a quiet, well-lit room with your computer for about an hour. You can get started by visiting

https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants

When you receive your results, select Burnside High School from the sharing menu to send your scores to us. You will receive an email notification to confirm once your test has been scored and shared.

If you experience any technical problems with the test, you can contact support by clicking the orange “HELP” button on the bottom right side of your screen, or you can also email them directly at englishtest-support@duolingo.com

Please do not contact the admissions office as we cannot assist you with technical issues.

Thank you, and best of luck on the test.