TOFEL Exam rules changed by ETS, provides flexible test schedules, removes lock-in period for retests

TOFEL Exam Rules have undergone some major changes as the latest report. ETS or the Educational Testing Services, which conducts Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam, has recently announced a few major changes to the exam structure and examination rules of the screening test. The changes have been announced to enhance the TOEFL test experience for students and to add value to testing procedure for institutions that accept it. Let’s find out the key changes introduced to TOFEL exam and how it will impact the examination structure.

Key Changes

The two key changes or the major exam rules that have undergone transformation include introduction of flexible testing options and removal of lock-in period of score for retesting.

Flexible Testing Options

Under this change, candidates appearing for TOFEL will have more number of test sessions, including an additional afternoon session. Students will now be able to opt for afternoon sessions for TOFEL exam on select dates. This will also double the testing capacity of the test centres for those dates, thereby allowing more number of candidates to appear for the exam.

Mandatory 12-day Lock-in period for Re-test Removed

The second key change in the TOFEL Exam rule has been the removal of 12-day mandatory lock-in period for resting. This will allow students to appear for TOFEL on consecutive weekends on available or permitted days, thereby reducing the overall waiting period for the students.

Other Changes Introduced Earlier

Prior to this, ETS had announced a few other changes including shortened test time and MyBest scores enhancements launched last month, which proved to be beneficial for both students as well as institutions.

Time and Number of Questions Reduced

Last month, the test time period was reduced by 30 minutes taking the test time to 3 hours from 3hours and 30 minutes earlier. In accordance with that, the number of questions asked in each of the sections i.e. reading, listening and speaking, were also reduced.

MyBest Scores

Another change announced was introducing of ‘MyBest Scores’ which combines the best scores of the test taker for each of the section from the valid TOFEL Scores active so far in last two years. Through MyBest Score option, candidates can now showcase their best scores in each of the sections institutions making important admissions decisions.