using the toefl ibt® test for admissions · •at least four trained and qualified toefl test...

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Using the TOEFL iBT® test for Admissions

----------------------------------- Sandy Bhangal

TOEFL

Copyright © 2012 by Educational Testing Service. ETS, the ETS logo, TOEFL and TOEFL Journey are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS) in the U.S. and other countries. TOEFL Junior is a registered trademark of ETS.

Contents

• Why universities accept TOEFL® scores

• Method of assessment

• TOEFL® test delivery

• TOEFL® test security


ETS

Educational Testing Service (ETS) was founded in 1947

• Not for profit, mission based organisation dedicated to supporting all learners worldwide

Today, ETS develops, administers and scores annually more than 50 million tests in more than 190 countries at over 9,000 locations worldwide

Experts in research, test development, psychometrics, statistical analysis, linguistics and global assessment as well as education policy


“In line with Home Office guidance we continue to accept TOEFL, as we always

have. As a University there has never been any issue for us regarding the acceptance of non-SELT tests, like TOEFL, in our admissions process as the Home Office guidance has always permitted universities to do this.

We have collated strong evidence regarding our decisions for continued acceptance of TOEFL and other English language competency tests in our admissions processes at all levels.

We also note that a wide range of the world’s leading universities accept TOEFL including MIT, Yale and Harvard to list only a few”.

“We continue to accept candidates offering appropriate TOEFL scores and appreciate the transparent scoring and analysis of linguistic ability across skills.

The online verification tool is simple and TOEFL staff are responsive to any queries we have about the test or individuals’ results.”

Comments from two universities


The TOEFL® Test Advantage

Built upon a solid foundation of research

An ongoing, robust, and rigorous research program that includes 172 research reports and 68 external publications support the TOEFL test.

Research conducted by both ETS staff and external language testing academics in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Japan, Canada and the US.

"The TOEFL test is without a doubt the best-researched language test in the world.“ — Tim McNamara, Professor, Department of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, University of Melbourne, Australia

5


TOEFL iBT® Test Development

TOEFL® test questions go through an extensive and rigorous development and review process

• Takes 6 to 18 months for questions to be ready for use

• Questions are pretested prior to use and statistically analysed after the test prior to the release of scores

• All TOEFL iBT test questions are reviewed by:

• At least four trained and qualified TOEFL test developers

• An ETS editor

• A fairness reviewer

• A subject matter expert who can comment on the accuracy and the currency of the content


The TOEFL iBT ® Test Format

Section Description Testing Time Score Scale

Reading 3–4 passages from academic texts; 12–14 questions per passage

60–80 min. 0–30

Listening 4–6 lectures, some with classroom discussion, 6 questions each;

2–3 conversations, 5 questions each

60–90 min. 0–30

Break - 10 min. -

Speaking 2 tasks to express an opinion; 4 tasks to speak based on reading and

listening passages

20 min. 0–30

Writing 1 integrated task (write based on what is read and listened to);

1 independent task (support an opinion on a topic)

50 min. 0–30

Total - - 0–120

7

Note taking is allowed in all sections. TOEFL® test scores: • appear in student accounts about 10 days after the test date • are valid for 2 years


CEFR mapping of TOEFL iBT®

TOEFL® scores previously recognised by the Home Office at the B2 level

8

Reading 18

Listening 17

Speaking 20

Writing 17

Total Score 72


Scoring process ensures fairness and integrity

• Rigorous rater training

• Daily calibration for Speaking and Writing raters

• Multiple raters for Speaking and Writing –3 to 6 raters for Speaking responses

– 4 ratings for Writing responses

• Scoring is separate from the testing site to maintain

score integrity –Raters see and hear worldwide responses,

not just from one country

–Anonymous raters do not know the examinee

9

Scoring Sets the TOEFL® Test Apart


Apply Intensive

ETS Training Test

Certified as Rater

Daily Calibration

Test

Monitoring by Scoring

Leader

Analyze Results

1 3 2 6 5 4 7

TOEFL® Rater Training & Scoring


Online score verification tool

n service


• Test administrations occur at authorised test centres. Each centre undergoes a screening process through ETS designed to ensure secure testing.

• Test centre applicants receive an initial pre-qualification review to determine if the facilities meet security and technical requirements, and to obtain verifiable references.

• ETS uses the same Internet security protocols as those used by major financial institutions for their secure transmissions. The communication channel uses state-of-the-art encryption, and our software is able to detect whether a transmission was altered or disrupted.

Test Delivery


• Test content that is downloaded to a test centre computer is encrypted and cannot be accessed until the actual test administration begins.

• At the beginning of each test administration, the test software automatically closes all non-TOEFL iBT® windows or applications, including instant messaging (IM).

• It closes any applications that try to open during the test and then automatically logs the incident. The software also locks the desktop, suppressing key combinations so the test taker cannot switch to any other task.

Test Delivery


• Test centre staff are required to pass a certification exam to demonstrate their knowledge of test delivery, as well as testing policies and procedures before they can serve as Test Centre Administrators.

Training includes the following security-related topics:

• Identification requirements

• Check-in procedures on the day of the test

• Security of test data and computers used for testing

• Test centre layout and required distance between test takers

• Monitoring of test takers during the test

ETS provides a Policies, Practices and Procedures Manual to test centre supervisors. All policies and procedures in the Manual must be followed.

Training of Test Centre Staff

Copyright © 2012 by Educational Testing Service. ETS, the ETS logo, TOEFL and TOEFL Journey are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS) in the U.S. and other countries. TOEFL Junior is a registered trademark of ETS. Confidential and Proprietary. Copyright © 2013 Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved.

The TOEFL® Test Approach to Security

ETS takes test security extremely seriously and uses a three-pronged approach to protect test integrity

Prevention

Detection Communication

15


Security - Prevention

• Training and certification of test centre supervisors

• Stringently enforced identification requirements

• Digital photograph taken on test day appears on score reports

• Test-taker photograph appears on assigned computer at the beginning of test and after break to verify identity

• State-of-the-art encryption software for delivery of the test to the test centre as well as return of test taker responses to ETS


Security - Detection

•Handwriting sample and signature collected at the test centre

•Unannounced test centre audits

•Secret shoppers

•Statistical analysis of score trends by test centre, country and region

•System-generated irregularity report reviewed after each administration


Security - Communication

• Every concern regarding test results reported by an institution or agency is investigated

•When scores are cancelled, ETS contacts all institutions designated by the student to receive scores

•Contact the Office of Testing Integrity at [email protected] or call the Security Hotline at +1-609-406-5430

For more information on security please visit www.ets.org/toefl/security

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.ets.org/toefl/security

using the toefl ibt® test for admissions · •at least four trained and qualified toefl test...

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