Myths |
Realities |
Exams are not offered frequently: “If I don't take the test immediately, I won't have a chance again!” |
Exams are scheduled to take place frequently, in some cases every business day!
- TOEIC10 times a year.
- TOEFL CBTevery business day
- TOEFL ITP10 times a year
- TOEIC Bridge 2 times a year
- TSEonce a month
- SAT6 times a year
- GMAT3 weeks / month
- GRE3 weeks / month
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Results take too long to receive: “If I don't take the test immediately, I won't have a chance again!” |
Results in as little as 2 weeks
- TOEFL CBTaround 10 business days
- can know the scores by phone
- TOEICaround 10 business days
- TOEFL ITParound 10 business days
- TOEIC Bridge around 15 business days
- TSEaround 1 to 1.5 months
- SATaround 4 to 5 business days
- GREaround 10 business days； can know the scores by phone
- GMATaround 10 business days； can know the scores by phone
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I can only take the exam once: “If I don't take the test immediately, I won't have a chance again!” |
Exams can be taken repeatedly
- Test takers can take TOEFL CBT and schedule a specific date once every calendar month.
- All the other tests can be taken repeatedly whenever there is a test.
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My results won't last long enough to apply: “If I don't take the test immediately, I won't have a chance again!” |
Test results last, in most cases, as long as you need them!
- 2 years for TOEFL, TOEIC & TSE tests
- 5 years for the SAT test
- 5 years for the GRE & GMAT tests
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The following information was taken from The official ETS website for the New TOEFL test.
The Next Generation TOEFL Test—TOEFL iBT (Likely to be launched in Taiwan in 2006)
To succeed in an academic environment in which English is the language of instruction, students need to not only understand English, but also to communicate effectively.ETS has developed a new TOEFL test that will help individuals demonstrate the English skills needed for success.This next generation TOEFL test will help institutions make better decisions about prospective students' academic readiness for academic coursework.The new test will also impact the teaching and learning of English worldwide.
Internet-based Testing (iBT)
The new TOEFL test will be delivered via the Internet. Internet-based testing (iBT) allows ETS to capture speech and score responses in a standardized and fair manner.It will also make it possible to greatly expand test center access.
Timeline
ETS is committed to a successful transition worldwide. In order to maintain test and score integrity and ensure a quality administration for test takers, ETS will introduce the new test in phases.
The test will first be administered in the United States on September 24, 2005. On October 22, the TOEFL iBT test will begin in Canada, France, Germany and Italy. The test will be introduced in the rest of the world in 2006. A complete schedule will be available by November 1, 2005.
What's unique about the new TOEFL test?
- Tasks that integrate all four language skills
- Test content based on authentic language
- Tests delivered via the Internet within the official test center network
- Score reports that provide valuable information about test takers' performance
- Diagnostic feedback that helps identify learning needs
- Learning and assessment tools that support English language learning in and out of the classroom
Scoring information
Score Scale
Scores from the new TOEFL test will provide information about performance in the four skill areas students need for success in an academic environment.
Listening |
0-30 |
Reading |
0-30 |
Speaking |
0-30 |
Writing |
0-30 |
Total Score |
0-120 |
Score Reports
Score reports will provide better information than ever about an individual's readiness to participate and succeed in academic studies in an English-speaking environment. Score reports will include:
- four skill scores
- total score
We encourage score users to consider the four skill scores, and not only the total score. The four skill scores give institutions the flexibility to customize their score requirements to meet the varied English language demands of different academic disciplines.
English Language Competency Descriptors
With the new TOEFL test, ETS is providing more than just a score. The new English Language Competency Descriptors provide useful information about what a student can do in English at various score levels, and will help you understand what the new scores mean.
Score Reporting Time
Scores will be reported online fifteen business days after the test. Both examinees and score recipients will be able to view the scores online free of charge. Paper copies of score reports will be mailed from ETS fifteen business days after the test.
This information was taken from The official ETS website for the New TOEFL test.
- Entrance Exams for University
American universities normally rely on three entrance exams when deciding whether to admit an international student.These exams are:
- The TOEFL CBT test
- The SAT test
- The ACT test (Normally not administered in Taiwan except under special circumstances)
International students, depending on the institutions they are applying to, will either have to submit (a) the TOEFL CBT only, (b) the TOEFL CBT and the SAT, (c) the TOEFL CBT and the ACT, (d) the TOEFL CBT, SAT and SAT 2, or (e) none of these.Admissions testing requirements normally adhere to the following rule-of-thumb:
Top-tier universities: TOEFL CBT plus (a) the SAT, (b) the SAT and SAT 2, or (c) the ACT
Mid-tier universities: the TOEFL CBT plus the SAT, only the TOEFL CBT, or proof of English proficiency through the completion of an on-campus intensive English program at the college or university's Intensive English program.
Lower-tier universities: the TOEFL CBT, or proof of English proficiency through the completion of an on-campus intensive English program at the college or university's Intensive English program.
- TOEFL CBT (The Test of English as a Foreign Language, Computer-Based Test)
- TOEFL CBT Measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings.
- TOEFL CBT scores usually use for the admission to colleges, universities or graduate school in North America.
- Registration site: www.prometric.com
- TOEFL ITP (The Test of English as a Foreign Language, Institutional Testing Program)
- ITP Pre-TOEFL measures ability at the beginning levels, TOEFL ITP tests individuals' English proficiency at the intermediate-to-advanced levels. TOEFL ITP provides a convenient and affordable assessment of English language proficiency for secondary schools, colleges and universities, English-language programs, governments and agencies.
- Website: www.toeicbridge.com.tw or more information on www.ets.org/itp
- TSE (Test of Spoken English)
- The Test of Spoken English (TSE) measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to communicate orally in English. TSE scores are used by many North American institutions of higher education to select international teaching assistants, sometimes called ITAs. The scores are also used for selecting and certifying health professionals, such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, and veterinarians.
- Website: www.toefl.com.tw or more information on www.etse.org/tse
- SAT (Scholastic Assessment Tests)
The SAT I is a three-hour exam that measures verbal and math reasoning skills used for admission.Scores on each section range from 200-800 points.The SAT II consists of more than 20 subject areas, or achievement tests designed to measure subject-area knowledge. Additional information can be obtained from their web site at www.sat.org. Contact your high school counselor for test dates, locations, and study guides.
- Entrance Exams for Graduate School
American graduate schools normally rely on two entrance exams when deciding whether to admit an international student.These exams are:
- The TOEFL CBT test
- The GRE test (for standard Master's Degree programs), or
- The GMAT test (for MBA programs)
International students, depending on the institutions they are applying to, will either have to submit (a) the TOEFL CBT only, (b) the TOEFL CBT and the GRE or the GMAT (c) the GRE or GMAT only (for students who received their undergraduate education in English, or (d) none of these.Admissions testing requirements normally adhere to the following rule-of-thumb:
Top-tier universities: TOEFL CBT plus (a) the GRE or (b) the GMAT
Mid-tier universities: the TOEFL CBT plus (a) the GRE or (b) the GMAT, or (c) if the applicant's English is good enough, only the GRE or the GMAT.Proof of English proficiency can be demonstrated through the completion of an on-campus intensive English program at the college or university's Intensive English program.
Lower-tier universities: the TOEFL CBT, or proof of English proficiency through the completion of an on-campus intensive English program at the college or university's Intensive English program.The school(s) may ask for the GRE or GMAT from borderline applicants (applicants who only narrowly meet criteria for admission).
- TOEFL CBT (The Test of English as a Foreign Language, Computer-Based Test)
- TOEFL CBT Measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings.
- TOEFL CBT scores usually use for the admission to colleges, universities or graduate school in North America.
- Registration site: www.prometric.com
- TOEFL ITP (The Test of English as a Foreign Language, Institutional Testing Program)
ITP Pre-TOEFL measures ability at the beginning levels, TOEFL ITP tests individuals' English proficiency at the intermediate-to-advanced levels. TOEFL ITP provides a convenient and affordable assessment of English language proficiency for secondary schools, colleges and universities, English-language programs, governments and agencies.
- TSE (Test of Spoken English)
The Test of Spoken English (TSE) measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to communicate orally in English. TSE scores are used by many North American institutions of higher education to select international teaching assistants, sometimes called ITAs. The scores are also used for selecting and certifying health professionals, such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, and veterinarians.
- GRE
The General GRE Test is a three-and-a-half hour aptitude test on verbal, quantitative, and analytical abilities intended for applicants to graduate schools. In addition to the General Test, the GRE includes subject area tests in 16 different fields. Students must check directly with the admissions departments of the schools to which they are applying to find out if a GRE subject test is required for admission.
- GMAT
The GMAT is a four-hour standardized test that is required for admission to most business schools (MBA's) in the United States. It includes multiple choice questions and a writing section. The GMAT results in four scores: verbal, quantitative, total, and analytical writing.The test is given in Taiwan Monday through Friday from the 3rd business day of the month until the last day of the month.It is also given the 3rd Saturday of every month.
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