Australian Department of Home Affairs still rejects TOEFL iBT for visa purposes, updated 21.8
Reason for rejection
According to the announcement of the Australian Department of Home Affairs, from July 26, the visa issuance process in Australia will reject the TOEFL internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) until further notice. Other English certificates that are still accepted are IELTS, PTE, CAE and OET, all of which are only applicable to the direct test at the test center of the organizing unit, not applicable to the home test version.
This move comes after the Educational Testing Service (ETS) introduced new improvements to the TOEFL iBT test on July 26, reducing the test time from 3 hours to less than 2 hours. The Australian Department of Home Affairs is therefore taking time to re-evaluate the new TOEFL iBT and has temporarily stopped accepting this test.
However, TOEFL iBT test scores from July 25 or earlier, i.e. old TOEFL iBT test results, are still accepted as normal, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Responding to The PIE News , Mr. Rohit Sharma, Senior Vice President of ETS, said it was unclear how long the assessment process would take. Up to now, after nearly a month, the Australian Department of Home Affairs has not made a new announcement.
However, an ETS representative emphasized that both new and old TOEFL iBT results are accepted by 100% of universities and educational institutions in Australia for admission purposes. "We are in direct contact with affected stakeholders to share appropriate information and will keep them informed of the latest updates," added Mr. Rohit Sharma.
The future of the new TOEFL iBT test for Australian visa processing remains unclear.
According to the ETS representative, the new TOEFL iBT is still accepted by other countries, such as the UK or Canada. For example, the Canadian Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has used the new TOEFL iBT test results for the Study Direct Stream program since August 10. This is one of four new English certificates accepted in 2023, along with PTE, CAEL and CELPIP.
How is TOEFL iBT improved?
TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) is an English certificate launched in 1964. This certificate is currently one of the most popular choices for the purpose of studying abroad, working and settling down.
In terms of improvements, ETS said the new TOEFL iBT will have more streamlined instructions and navigation; shorten the reading section to two passages with 10 questions each; replace independent writing with writing for an academic discussion; and eliminate ungraded questions. The test score remains the same, with a maximum of 120.
“TOEFL has been the standard English-language test for nearly six decades, and the latest improvements will further solidify that position,” said Amit Sevak, CEO of ETS. “These improvements were developed through the lens of test takers and stakeholders, whom we prioritize serving the most,” he said.
Reading the new TOEFL iBT sample questions published by ETS, Master Do Nguyen Dang Khoa, a graduate of English teaching at Warwick University (UK) and a 2021 Hornby Scholar, said he was impressed by the academic discussion writing question format. "This change shows awareness of special types of discourse, such as online discussion texts," said Mr. Khoa.
A sample of the new TOEFL iBT test in the form of an online discussion text
Specifically, a sample exam included online discussion text in the writing section. This is a special type of text, although written, it combines many other elements such as spoken text. "Online discussion is a popular activity in today's classrooms. The idea of testing with this type of text is quite interesting, different from the usual and supports the academic purpose well in the digital age," said Mr. Khoa.
According to ETS, TOEFL iBT is currently recognized by more than 12,000 universities and educational institutions in more than 160 countries. The new TOEFL iBT is also the shortest test today compared to two other popular representatives, IELTS (more than 2 hours 45 minutes, 3 skills) and TOEIC (2 hours, 2 skills). Previously, in 2019, ETS had shortened the TOEFL test time by 30 minutes, down to 3 hours.
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