Colleges and universities around the world have unique preferences and requirements for admission — topics for personal statements, volunteer experience, personal references and score requirements, to name a few. And when it comes to score requirements, a crucial part of the application process for international students is an English-language assessment to ensure they are prepared for the rigor of English communication in academic classrooms.
How do students choose which test to take to satisfy this requirement?
When it comes to convenience, the TOEFL test offers multiple options for students, whether they prefer to test in person at a test centre or from the comfort of home. The TOEFL iBT test is the only major English-language test with a long-term option to take the same test — with regards to quality, reliability, validity, security and score acceptance - in a test centre or at home.
Though the pandemic has created uncertainty for in-person testing, the majority of test centers across India are currently open for testing. ETS is working closely with our authorized test service provider in India to continue opening testing locations as it is safe to do so, while taking the necessary precautions (e.g., distancing work stations and sanitizing high-touch areas) to maintain the safety of students while testing.
The ETS launched the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, a test that is identical in content, format, on-screen experience and scoring to the in-person TOEFL iBT testing experience. This was initially developed to support students while traditional testing was suspended and to enable them to take active steps to achieve their educational goals despite the circumstances.
However, as we adapt to the future of digital learning, where blended learning opportunities are becoming increasingly more relevant and preferred, we've recognised the need for the at home test to be a continuing product in our portfolio. Renamed TOEFL iBT Home Edition, the at home test is here to stay.
Because the TOEFL iBT Home Edition is the same test as the TOEFL iBT test given at a test centre, scores are being accepted by institutions in the same way. More than 11,000 institutions in over 150 countries worldwide accept TOEFL scores.
In addition, the TOEFL test is accepted at 100 per cent of institutes in the US, Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, as well as universally by English taught programmes in non-English speaking countries worldwide.
TOEFL scores than all other English-language tests combined. Institutions around the world rely on and prefer the TOEFL iBT test because it is specifically designed for the higher ed sector — the test is made up of 100% academic content, meaning the types of questions students will encounter on test day simulate the communication experiences they will encounter at university.
While preparing to study abroad, not only is it important to consider the requirements for university admission, but also any immigration requirements for one's selected destination.
While the pandemic has created unprecedented times for students across the world, it does not have to stop the momentum of their educational journeys — and ETS is striving in every way to ensure that it doesn't.
By taking the TOEFL test, students can take active steps to pursue their dreams, stand out during the application process and feel confident knowing that they are prepared for an exciting, rewarding journey ahead of them.
For more information on the TOEFL test, including information on acceptance, registration, test prep and more, check out www.ets.org/toefl.
For information specific to TOEFL iBT Home Edition, please visit www.ets.org/toefl/athome.