Challenges overcome by Educational Testing Service (TOEFL and GRE) during Covid 19
Students and institutions depend on the tests like TOEFL and GRE for studying abroad, jobs in foreign countries, and immigration. Due to the pandemic, the testing system had been adversely affected: the number of test centers was limited. TOEFL iBT Home Edition and GRE General Test had already been introduced by the exam authority the previous year, and this method was promptly implemented to provide the test-takers a convenient testing environment in the safety of their homes. The tests conducted at home are similar to those taken at a test center in format, content, on-screen experience, and scoring methods.
More than half a million people have registered for TOEFL and GRE in 2020 to avail themselves of the opportunity of home tests. The at-home options will be continued post-pandemic as reported by Srikant Gopal, Executive Director of the TOEFL Program. The students will still receive unofficial reading and listening scores on the test day after the test is over. The on-screen test experience will remain the same too: preview, skip questions, go back to previous questions, review, change answers.
How the TOEFL test academy is planning to help the test-takers during this economic crisis
ETS has taken an empathetic decision of keeping the fees for at-home tests aligned with the traditional test format at test centers. The TOEFL and GRE tests at home, says Srikant Gopal, will be conducted by trained online human proctors, under strict surveillance. Precautions will be taken so that no one gets an unfair advantage. Thus the scores obtained by the aspirants will be trustworthy and reliable in the eyes of the admission cells of the universities.
For both the tests, there are various preparatory materials available on the official websites of ETS, which are free.
For TOEFL you have:
- TOEFL Test Preparation
- TOEFL iBT Free Practice Test
- TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner
For GRE you have:
- POWERPREP Online
- POWERPREP Test Review Tool
- Math Convention and Math Review (PDF versions)
Preference of Indian students to study abroad
Srikant Gopal expects US to be the most popular choice among Indian students who want to study abroad because they prefer master degrees in STEM programs. This is because STEM programs assure undisputed long stays in the US, and the privileges offered by the US administration to the international students and their education. The recent IIE Open Doors report shows that over 193,000 students from India have traveled to foreign countries to pursue higher studies especially math/computer science, business/management, and engineering. Although the admission pattern may vary a little due to different preferences and popularity, he hopes that the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand will continue to be the educational destinations.
New cities and varieties on TOEFL
TOEFL is one of the most widely used English Proficiency Tests and is accepted by over 11,000 institutions in more than 150 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The test is also accepted in
non-English speaking countries in Europe and Asia for various subjects taught in English. In India, the Indian School of Business and SP Jain School of Global Management accept TOEFL scores for domestic students. S. Gopal says that although in February 2021 most of the test centers are now available to conduct online tests, the two methods of testing: at home and at test centers will continue henceforth. TOEFL is conducted almost 60 times a year at over 130 locations in India, and the TOEFL iBT HOME test is available 24 hours a day, 4 days a week.
Growth Strategies for the Indian Market
India, being the second-largest source of study abroad students, S. Gopal has high hopes and expects India to soon become number one. He says that ETS is always trying and planning for the development of Indian students and stakeholders.
Impact of Covid-19 on students’ plans to study abroad and the hope of change with the introduction of the vaccine
Alberto Acereda, Senior Director of Business Development at Educational Testing Service on TOEFL iBT and GRE General Test, confirms that the onset of Covid-19 did disrupt the normal rate of TOEFL and GRE registration. ETS took prompt action and started conducting computerized tests at homes, under the guidance and surveillance of proctors. While many students have postponed their education for a year, hundreds of thousands of them have grabbed the opportunity of taking the test at home and stepped ahead of their peers. The GRE General Test at home will also allow the students to apply to their dream universities in time.
The effect of the new Biden administration on Indian students in US
Alberto says that it is too soon to say anything, but he believes that aspirants will keep working hard and pursue higher education. Indians constitute a large percentage of successful working professionals all over the world, and they will continue their endeavor. He expects circumstances to turn for better very soon with the introduction of the corona vaccine.
The validity of the test scores
The GRE scores and valid for five years and continue to be so.
Acceptance of Indian NEP by ETS
Alberto reports that ETS appreciates India’s new education policy and acknowledges that it aligns with the educational principles of ETS. He applauds the new framework and method of approach - the increased opportunities for students of all backgrounds. ETS looks forward to collaborating with the Indian educational authorities and share the global expertise in a local context.
Difference between GRE and GMAT
GRE General Test can be taken anytime the person wants to, at their own convenience. Students can take the GRE exam 5 times a year, whereas GMAT only twice. GRE General Test is the only higher education assessment that is the same for both at-center and at-home, as well as affordable and flexible. Even if the GRE is taken at home, the test-takers will be able to select four colleges to send their scores to, after the test on the same day. In GRE the test-takers need to select their colleges before the exam, even before they know how they have performed.
