Educational Exams

(TOEFL & IELTS)

Ahmad Joudaki

Shaham Sharifian

ETS

Educational Testing Service :

- GRE : Graduate Records Examination - TOEFL : Test of English as a foreign language - TOEIC : Test of English for International Communication - TSE : Test of Spoken English - TFI : Test de français international

- GMAT : Graduate Management Admission Test - IELTS : International English Language Testing System

TOEIC

Test of English for International Communication :

It measures the everyday English skills of people working in an international environment.

Nonnative English speakers take the test to demonstrate their English language skills when applying for new positions and obtaining credentials.

TSE

Test of Spoken English :

measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to communicate effectively. The test is used for employment, graduate assistantships, licensure, and certification purposes.

If you are a student or working professional with English as your second language, you may be asked to take the test to demonstrate how well you can speak in English.

GMAT

Graduate Management Admission Test

The GMAT exam is a test of general skills and abilities that you have acquired over time. It helps business schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in an MBA program, business or in other graduate management programs.

GRE

Graduate Records Examination

- General test

- Subject test

GRE General Test• Analytical Writing — tests taker's ability to

- support ideas with relevant reasons and examples.- sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion.- control the elements of standard written English.

• Verbal Reasoning — tests taker's ability to

- analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it.- recognize relationships between words and concepts.

• Quantitative Reasoning — tests taker's ability to

- understand basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.

GRE General Test (cont.)

Section Number of Questions

Time Score

Analytical Writing

1 Issue Task 45 min

0-6

Analytical Writing

1 Argument Task 30 min

0-6

Verbal 30 30 min

200-800

Quantitative

28 45 min

200-800

GRE Subject Test

Eight Disciplines :

• Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Computer Science

• Literature in English

• Mathematics

• Physics

• Psychology

GRE Computer Test

I) SOFTWARE SYSTEMS AND METHODOLOGY 40%

A. Data organization

B. Program control and structure

C. Programming languages and notation

D. Software engineering

E. Systems

GRE Computer Test (cont.)

II) COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND ARCHITECTURE 15%

A. Digital logic design

B. Processors and control units

C. Memories and their hierarchies

D. Networking and communications

E. High-performance architectures

GRE Computer Test (cont.)

III) THEORY AND MATHEMATICAL BACKGROUND 40%

A. Algorithms and complexity

B. Automata and language theory

C. Discrete structures

GRE Computer Test (cont.)

IV) OTHER TOPICS 5%

numerical analysis, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, cryptography, security, …

What is the TOEFL test ?

Test Of English A Foreign Language is a Standardized test that evaluates the English Proficiency of people whose native language is not English. Nearly 2400 education institutes in the United States and Canada require TOEFL scores from each applicant. The TOEFL tests the ability to understand North American English.

What do I need to know ?

The TOEFL is getting harder and harder all the time. You will need to have a good understanding of English. You will need to be able to listen, read, and write for the TOEFL.

TOEFL parts

Writing Section

Listening Section

Structure Section

Reading Section

Speaking Section ( in future )

Writing

Writing Section : 1 Essay 30 min.

Test of Written English (TWE)

Listening

Listening Section : 40 - 50 questions 50 - 60 min.

- Short conversations- Long conversations- Short talks

Structure

Structure Section : 40 - 45 questions 25 - 30 min.

- Incomplete sentences- Written expressions

Reading

Reading Section : 45 - 60 questions 70 - 90  min.

FAQs

• How can I raise my TOEFL score ? And how long does it take ?

• How much does the TOEFL cost ?

• Where can I take the TOEFL ?

• How can I register for the TOEFL ?

• Who administers the TOEFL test ?

• How can Rescheduling, Cancelling and Refunding be done ?

CBT & PBT

• What's the difference between the computer TOEFL and the paper TOEFL?

• Which TOEFL is easier? The computer TOEFL or the paper TOEFL?

• Can I still take the paper TOEFL instead of the computer TOEFL?

• Should I type or handwrite the essay for the computer TOEFL?

CBT & PBT

TOEFL Paper TOEFL Computer

625 - 677 263 - 300

600 250

575 232

550 213

525 196

500 173

475 152

450 133

425 113

Under 425 Under 113

Eligibility & Fees

Test Fee/Service Amount

TOEFL Computer-Based Test

US$140 (includes 1 examinee score record and 4 score recipients)

TOEFL Paper-Based Test US$140 (includes 1 examinee score record and 4 score recipients)

Additional Score Report Requests 

US$17 (per recipient)

Essay/TWE Rescoring US$50

TOEFL Paper Answer Sheet Rescoring

US$25

New version of the TOEFL

• The test questions are now more focused on academic topics.

• There is no structure section anymore

• You will have to compose two essays in the writing section instead of one .

• The new TOEFL test also measures your speaking ability.

What is IELTS ?

• International English Language Testing System

It is a test for evaluating the English language skills of non-English speaking candidates. It assess the candidate’s ability to understand written and spoken English in academic and social contexts.

Who should take IELTS ?

Applying to most Canadian, British, Australian, and New Zealand academic institutions

It may be required to prove an official IELTS score in order to seek immigration to some countries. (  Canada, Australia, New Zealand, …)

IELTS Versions

• The Academic Module

• The General Training Module

The two versions do not carry the same weight and are not interchangeable

IELTS Format

section parts questions

time

Listening 4 40 30 min

(Academic or General) Reading

3 40 60 min

(Academic or General) Writing

2 - 60 min

Speaking 1 - 11–14 min

IELTS score

• Results are returned to the candidates two weeks after the test date.  Candidates will receive scores on a band scale from 1 to 9, including a score for each module of the test in addition to an overall score. Results are valid for two years.  

Interpret the IELTS score

• 9 : EXPERT USER

• 8 : VERY GOOD USER

• 7 : GOOD USER 

• 6 : COMPETENT USER

• 5 : MODEST USER

• 4 : LIMITED USER

• 3 : EXTREMELY LIMITED USER

• 2 : INTERMITTENT USER

• 1 : NON USER

• 0 : DID NOT ATTEMPT THE TEST

Compare IELTS score with TOEFL TOEFL Paper TOEFL

ComputerIELTS

Equivalent

625 – 677 263 - 300 7.5 - 9

600 250 7

575 232 6.5

550 213 6

525 196 5.5

500 173 5

475 152 4.5

450 133 4

425 113 3.5

Under 425 Under 113 Under 3.5

IELTS schedule for 2006

• When can you take IELTS at ILI?

- April 27, 2006 - May 25, 2006 - June 29, 2006 - July 27, 2006 - August 24, 2006 - September 28, 2006 - October 26, 2006 - November 30, 2006 - December 14, 2006

The IELTS test fee as is now $245.00

Resources

www.ets.org

www.ielts.org

www.testmagic.com

www.testden.com

www.britishcouncil.org

www.imagebank.com

TOEFL Guideline Books

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