They are calling it the next generation Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), being introduced from September 2005 onwards. The practice test includes listening, reading and writing questions, sample speaking responses, and the ability to review questions and answers when completed.

Those preparing for the tests can now take an online practice version of the new test by clicking on http://toeflpractice.ets.org/ , paying about US$20 (Rs. 920 approx).

You can also see a free demonstration of the speaking section and sample responses at any time. If you want to practice the Speaking section and receive scores, you can take the TOEFL academic speaking test.

The 40-year-old test system has been overhauled by the Education Testing Board (ETB) following complaints that though a number of foreign students got high TOEFL scores, many faced problems communicating effectively after joining academic institutions in the US.

The Test of Spoken English (TSE – fee US$125) will evaluate the English-speaking proficiency of candidates whose native language is not English. Questions will be in oral and written format, and the oral answers will be recorded on tape.

The new version will provide TOEFL candidates information on their strengths and weaknesses. Guidance will also be given to them on improving their scores.

For the uninitiated, TOEFL is a test taken to measure your proficiency in English when you apply to colleges and universities in the US and some other countries where instruction is in English. About eight lakh individuals worldwide register for the exam every year.

Apart from the new spoken English test, TOEFL measures English language proficiency in reading, listening and writing. Tests are taken on computers in most parts of the world, but candidates can take a paper and pencil test where access to computers is limited.

A point to be noted here is that TSE is not part of TOEFL like the Test of Written English, but it can be taken the same day on which you take TOEFL.

TSE has two sections. TSE-A and TSE-P. TSE-A is for those going for teaching and research assistantships and have been asked to take the test by the university or department they have applied to. Undergraduate and graduate school applicants can also take TSE-A.

TSE-P is for those who take the test to obtain a license in a professional field. TSE is offered 12 times a year at various test centres throughout India.

A paper-based TOEFL test takes about .35 hours and has three sections:

TWE® : Candidates for the paper test have to take a Test of Written English (TWE®). They will be given 30 minutes to write a short essay on a given topic, which is then evaluated on their ability to use standard written English and to organise and support ideas. One does not require any special knowledge of the topic to write the essay.

The computer based TOEFL test is offered at institutional sites such as colleges and universities, and at testing centres operated by Prometric, a division of Thomson Learning.

The computer–based TOEFL test has four sections:

                                                                                                                * Approx

Heinemann TOEFL Practice Test :By Carolyn Duffy, M. Kathleen Mahnke. [US$ 19.84 (Rs. 900).]

Barron’s How to Prepare for the TOEFL TEST (ABRIDGED): Pamela J. Sharpe, Barron’s Educational Series. [US$ 32.83 (Rs.1,521).]

Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL TEST: By Jolene Gear, Robert Gear [US$ 46.95 (Rs. 2,175).]

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System), recognized by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, and the US, covers language skills in : Listening, reading, writing and speaking. The two test formats it is to offered in include academic and general training. All candidates take the same listening and speaking modulus and there is an option of either academic or general training, reading and writing modules.

The listening, reading and writing modules have to be completed in one day. The speaking module can be taken seven days before or after the other modules, at the discretion of the test centre, in the said period.

The total test time for IELTS will come up to two hours and 45 minutes. The general training reading is in three sections, comprises 40 items and lasts 60 minutes. Academic reading is in three sections, with 40 items, and lasts 30 minutes.

General training writing involves two tasks of 150 and 250 words and lasts 60 minutes. Academic writing comprises two tasks, of 150 and 250 words and lasts 60 minutes. The speaking test is of 11-14 minute duration.

What skills does the General Test measure?

Analytical Writing

• articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
• examine claims and accompanying evidence
• support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
• sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
• control the elements of standard written English (this factor plays a role only to the extent that poor writing skills impede readers' understanding of the argument)

Verbal

• analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it
  
• analyze relationships among component parts of sentences
• recognize relationships between words and concepts

Quantitative

• understand basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis
• reason quantitatively
• solve problems in a quantitative setting

What is the analytical writing section like?

The analytical writing section consists of two analytical writing tasks: a 45-minute "Present Your Perspective on an Issue" task and a 30-minute "Analyze an Argument" task. The "Issue" task states an opinion on an issue of general interest and asks you to address the issue from any perspective(s) you wish, as long as you provide relevant reasons and examples to explain and support your views. The "Argument" task presents a different challenge — it requires you to critique an argument by discussing how well reasoned you find it. You are asked to consider the logical soundness of the argument rather than to agree or disagree with the position it presents. These two tasks are complementary in that the first requires you to construct a personal argument about an issue, and the second requires you to critique someone else's argument by assessing its claims.

Are there examples of what the essay questions look like?

Yes. You can view all the topics for the analytical writing section on this Web site. In addition, scored sample essays are available, with commentary from GRE readers.

How does the analytical writing section differ from the verbal section of the General Test?

Because the analytical writing section is a performance test, you must organize and articulate your own ideas as you discuss a complex issue, as well as explain the logical soundness of an argument you have just read. The verbal section of the General Test measures reading comprehension, and verbal and analogical reasoning skills in a multiple-choice format. Whereas the verbal section measures your ability to understand complex ideas expressed in written passages and in the relationships between words, the analytical writing section measures your ability to articulate and support ideas, and to analyze arguments.

How does the analytical writing section differ from the TOEFL Test of Written English (TWE)?

The TOEFL and GRE writing sections are very different. The TWE is not designed to assess higher levels of thinking and analytical writing, but centers instead on command of English vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and syntax. Therefore, scores on the two tests are not at all comparable. Because the TOEFL test emphasizes fundamental writing skills, the TOEFL score can supplement an analytical writing score by helping faculty determine whether a low score on the GRE analytical writing section is due to lack of familiarity with English or to lack of ability to produce and analyze logical arguments.

How can I prepare for the General Test?

A CD-ROM containing GRE POWERPREP Software - Test Preparation for the GRE General Test will be sent to you when you register for the GRE computer-based General Test. POWERPREP can also be downloaded now for free. The software includes test tutorials, practice questions with explanations, and two actual computer-adaptive tests for the verbal and quantitative sections. The software also includes sample topics and essays for the analytical writing section, and advice on how to write effective essays for the Issue and Argument tasks. POWERPREP lets you practice writing essays under simulated GRE testing conditions with the same GRE word processing and testing tools that appear on the test. NOTE: GRE POWERPREP is only IBM or PC compatible. The software is not compatible with Apple MacIntosh computers. POWERPREP was developed using the same software that is used to administer the General Test at computer-based test centers, which is delivered in a PC environment.

The Practice General Test book will be sent to you if you register for the paper-based GRE General Test. This publication can also be downloaded now for free. The publication includes practice questions with explanations, one actual test for the verbal and quantitative measures, and sample topics and essays for the analytical writing measure.

In addition, you can view information about the nature of the analytical writing section, directions for the two essay tasks, the entire pool of topics, scoring criteria, and samples of scored essays.

What is the price of the General Test?

The General Test is US $115 for individuals testing in the United States, U.S. Territories, and Puerto Rico, US $175 for individuals testing in China, including Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan, and US $140 for individuals testing in all other locations. Individuals who would like to request a fee waiver, should read about the requirements and procedures in the Fee Waiver section.

How is the General Test administered?

The General Test is given year-round on the computer in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries. Paper-based General Test administrations are offered in areas of the world where computer-based testing is not available.

What word processing software is used for the analytical writing section? What tools does it have?

The GRE Program uses an elementary word processor developed by ETS so that individuals familiar with a specific commercial word processing software do not have an advantage or disadvantage. This software contains the following functions: inserting text, deleting text, cut and paste, and undoing the previous action. Tools such as spellchecker and grammar checker are not available in the ETS software, in large part to maintain fairness with those examinees who handwrite their essays at paper-based administrations. You can practice writing essays using the word processor in POWERPREP.

How are the sections of the General Test scored?

Your scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the computer-based General Test depend on your performance on the questions given and on the number of questions answered in the time allotted. Because both of these sections are computer adaptive, the questions presented are selected to reflect your performance on preceding questions and the requirements of the test design. Test design factors that influence which questions are presented to you include (1) the statistical characteristics (including difficulty level) of the questions already answered, (2) the required variety of question types, and (3) the appropriate coverage of content.

For the verbal and quantitative sections of the paper-based General Test' a raw score is computed. The raw score is the number of questions for which the best answer choice was given. The raw score is then converted to a scaled score through a process known as equating. The equating process accounts for differences in difficulty among the different test editions; thus, a given scaled score reflects approximately the same level of ability regardless of the edition of the test that was taken.

The scoring of the analytical writing section is the same whether the test is taken on computer or paper. Each essay receives a score from two trained readers, using a 6-point holistic scale. In holistic scoring, readers are trained to assign scores on the basis of the overall quality of an essay in response to the assigned task. If the two assigned scores differ by more than one point on the scale, the discrepancy is adjudicated by a third GRE reader. Otherwise, the scores from the two readings of an essay are averaged. The final scores on the two essays are then averaged and rounded up to the nearest half-point interval. A single score is reported for the analytical writing section.

The primary emphasis in scoring the analytical writing section is on your critical thinking and analytical writing skills rather than on grammar and mechanics. (Read the scoring guides for each essay task)

During the scoring process, your essay responses on the analytical writing section will be reviewed by ETS essay-similarity-detection software and by experienced essay readers. See Independent Intellectual Activity.

Are examinees that use alternative ways of developing an argument scored fairly?

You may use any one of a variety of strategies to structure your essays. Readers are explicitly trained to accept any strategy in an essay that meets the essential requirements of the essay task, i.e., a response that provides the information required by the essay prompt.

What scores are reported?

Three scores are reported on the General Test:

1. a verbal score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments
2. a quantitative score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments, and
3. an analytical writing score reported on a 0-6 score scale, in half-point increments.

If you answer no questions at all in a section (verbal, quantitative, or analytical writing), that section will be reported as a No Score (NS).

Descriptions of the analytical writing abilities characteristic of particular score levels are available in the interpretive leaflet enclosed with your score report and in the Guide to the Use of GRE Scores.

When are scores reported?

If you take the computer-based General Test, you can view your unofficial verbal and quantitative scores at the test center; however, because of the essay scoring process, you will not be able to view your analytical writing scores at that time. Verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores on the computer-based General Test will be sent to you and the institutions you designate within 10 to 15 days of your test administration.

If you take the paper-based General Test, you will not view any scores at the test center. Verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores on the paper-based General Test will be sent to you and the institutions you designate within 4 to 6 weeks of your test administration.

How does the GRE Program recommend that departments use my scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the General Test?

The GRE Program recommends that departments use scores from these two sections as they always have, considering the Guidelines for the Use of GRE Scores, published in the Guide to the Use of Scores.

How does the GRE Program recommend that departments interpret my analytical writing score?

As a performance assessment, the GRE analytical writing section provides a snapshot of your analytical writing ability before entry into graduate school. The Guide to the Use of GRE Scores includes information on the interpretation of analytical writing scores. This information includes descriptions of the characteristic analytical writing abilities reflected at each score level.

My native language is not English. How does the GRE Program recommend that departments interpret my analytical writing score?

If your native language is not English (ESL) and you do not understand the task posed to you, your performance on all three sections of the General Test will be affected. The GRE Program advises score users to consider a variety of pieces of information about ESL applicants, including TOEFL and TWE scores, to determine whether these students would be able to meet the department's requirements.

Should the analytical writing score be combined with the verbal and quantitative scores?

The GRE Program does not recommend combining the scores on any of the General Test sections. Each section should be considered separately because it provides insight into a different aspect of your abilities.

How can we know that the analytical writing section is fair for all examinees, including groups that are underrepresented in graduate school?

The GRE Board has long been concerned that examinee groups not be disadvantaged by any major changes in the General Test. In response to that concern, extensive analyses of group differences in the Writing Assessment were performed before the test became operational in October 1999. These analyses have since been supplemented by data from those who have taken the Writing Assessment as an operational test, and by data from a special research study conducted in April 2001. The findings from each of these data sources indicate that there is less difference in the scores of men and women on the Writing Assessment than on the multiple-choice measures. The differences between African American and White examinees and between Hispanic and White examinees are also smaller on the Writing Assessment than on the multiple-choice measures. The difference between Asian American and White examinees is about the same as the difference on the verbal and analytical sections. (Asian American examinees outscore White examinees on the quantitative section.)

How can we know that the analytical writing section is fair for examinees whose native language is not English?

Test takers whose native language is not English (ESL) naturally find the analytical writing section more challenging, on average, than do native speakers of English. Steps have already been taken to ensure that these performance differences are not due to differences in the cross-cultural accessibility of the topics. Special fairness reviews occur for all topics to ensure that the content and tasks are clear and accessible for all groups of test takers, including ESL students. In addition, scorers are trained to focus on the analytical logic of the essay responses more than on spelling, grammar, or syntax. The mechanics of writing are weighed in their ratings only to the extent that these impede clarity of meaning. Since the analytical writing section is tapping into different skills than the multiple-choice measures, it may not be surprising that the performance of ESL examinees differs on this section. Given that graduate faculty have indicated that analytical writing is an important component of work in most graduate schools, including the analytical writing section should increase the validity of the General Test.