ETS launched a TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test on March 23 in selected countries in response to the test center closures caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
ETS, the organization administering the exam, said it is the same valid and reliable TOEFL iBT test, delivered to test takers at home. Monitoring of the test will be conducted using live remote supervisors, also known as proctors, by ProctorU, a proctoring solution for online testing.
ETS said:
This at-home solution provides a convenient, flexible and safe option for testing, allowing students to complete their applications, so that institutions can make informed admissions decisions.
Here, prospective test takers can check the countries where test centers have been closed. ETS is also hosting a series of webinars about at-home testing to facilitate the sharing of information and answer questions from programs and institutions. Here you can register for the webinar.
To minimize the impact of postponements on test takers, ETS is temporarily waiving rescheduling fees for all test takers — whether their test has been postponed or they are concerned about visiting a test center that remains open.
It’s the same test
The TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition is identical in content, format, on-screen experience and scoring to the test given at a test center. Students can prepare for the test using the same prep materials. Only the delivery method has changed.
Scores for the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test will be received in between six and 10 days. There are no changes to the method of scoring or the score scale.
In addition, the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test will offer all of the same features that have been implemented for the TOEFL iBT test over the last year, including MyBest scores and faster score reporting. Special Home Edition scores will be included in MyBest scores calculations.
At this time, the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test is available until test centers reopen and the situation returns to normality.
Security
ETS has assured test takers that reliable safeguards are in place to ensure the security of the at-home test:
ETS is employing multiple best-in-class security measures that use both real-time human monitoring and artificial intelligence technology to see and respond to even the hardest-to-detect incidents.
Live supervisors will ensure constant vigilance, including confirming the test taker's identity and scanning their home environment before testing begins, flagging any suspicious activity and intervening if necessary. In addition, Artificial Intelligence technology — such as facial recognition, gaze tracking, and video recording of the entire session — will guard against malicious activity. Examples of test taker activities that AI will flag as possible cheating incidents include attempts to open a new browser, run unpermitted software and use unpermitted objects such as a cell phone.
Source: ETS
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