新托福FAQs ——给不方便登陆国外网站的GTer

eml2005UID: 2130518

来自：http://www.ets.org/toefl/nextgen/faq.html

When will the new TOEFL test launch?
It will launch for the first time on September 24, 2005.

Will the new test be available worldwide in September?
To ensure test score integrity and a quality administration for all test takers, ETS will introduce the new TOEFL test to countries worldwide in phases rather than all at once.

What do you mean by "phases"?
The new test will be offered first in the United States on September 24, 2005. It will be offered in Canada, Germany, Italy, and France on October 22, 2005. The rest of the world will follow in 2006. TOEFL computer-based testing (CBT) and paper-based testing (PBT) will continue to be available until the launch of iBT in other parts of the world.

Why is the new test being introduced in a phased manner?
Because TOEFL scores are used for high-stakes decisions, it is essential that the entire system works reliably in initial locations so that we can have a successful rollout in all locations.

When do TOEFL CBT and PBT stop?
ETS will continue to administer the current computer-based and paper-based versions of the test until the new Internet-based test is implemented. In the United States, CBT registration closes on August 31, 2005, and the last date for computer-based testing is September 15. In Canada, France, Germany, and Italy, the last paper-based test administration will be held on October 15, 2005, the last computer-based test administration will be held on October 8. CBT and PBT will continue in the rest of the world until iBT is introduced in 2006.

How can examinees find out when the new test will be available in their countries?
A timeline is available on this Web site. ETS will also inform score users and test takers of the schedule at student fairs, through educational advisors and other means. The schedule for 2006 will be announced by November 1, 2005.

How will the new test be administered?
The new test will be administered on fixed dates in a network of secure Internet-based test centers. Internet-based testing makes it possible to greatly expand the number of test centers in what is already the world's largest testing network. Most areas where the TOEFL iBT test is offered will have 30 to 40 administrations a year, but the number will vary based on the number of test takers and test center capacity. ETS will continue to utilize the current computer-based testing as well as paper-based testing until the Internet-based version is available.

Test center information will be posted at on this Web site and will be updated regularly. Information and Registration Bulletins will be available at many educational advising centers, colleges, universities, and libraries. Bulletins will also be downloadable from this site.

Why is the TOEFL test changing?
The new test will better measure what colleges and universities need to know: a prospective student's ability to use English in an academic setting. The new Speaking section evaluates a person's ability to use spoken English, and the new integrated Writing and Speaking tasks measure the ability to combine information from more than one source and communicate about it.

Why use Internet-based testing (iBT)?
ETS has wanted to add Speaking to the test for quite a while, but needed to wait until it could be done it in a way that met its standards for quality. Internet-based testing makes it possible for ETS to capture and score test-taker speech in the most efficient, standardized, and objective manner. Internet-based testing will also make it possible to greatly increase the number of test centers, which is good for test takers.

What's different about the new test?
The TOEFL iBT has a new Speaking section, which includes independent and integrated tasks. There is no longer a Structure section. Grammar is tested on questions and tasks in each section. Lectures and conversations in the Listening section are longer, but note taking is allowed. In fact, note taking is allowed throughout the entire test. The speech in the listening material sounds more natural, and one lecture may use a British or Australian accent. Also, there are new questions that measure understanding of a speaker's attitude, degree of certainty, and purpose. The Reading section has new questions that ask test takers to categorize information and fill in a chart or complete a summary. In the Writing section, typing is required. There is an integrated task in addition to the current independent task, and the scoring guides (rubrics) used for rating are different from the current test.

Will it be possible to take just a specific section of the test?
No, the entire test must be taken to receive a score.

Will the new test really be different or just an updated version?
The new test is an entirely new approach to learning and assessing the kind of English used in higher education. For the first time ever, the TOEFL test will assess test taker ability to integrate English skills and will reflect how people actually communicate in English in college and university settings.

Will the new test be more difficult than the current test?
The TOEFL iBT Reading and Listening sections are not dramatically different from those on the current TOEFL test. The integrated tasks on the TOEFL iBT Speaking and Writing sections may be considered more challenging because they are new to test takers. However, to succeed academically in English-speaking colleges and universities, students need to be able to combine their language skills in the classroom. The integrated tasks in the new test will help learners build the confidence needed to communicate in the academic environments they plan to enter.

What other benefits will the new test provide?
The inclusion of Speaking, the use of integrated skills, and the emphasis on communicative competence will have great impact on how English is taught in the future. Students and other test takers will develop a higher level of English ability as a result, and will have confidence that they will be able to communicate and succeed.

Who else will benefit from the new test?
Admissions officials and faculty at English-speaking colleges and universities as well as administrators of certification and licensing agencies will be provided with better information on their applicants' English communication abilities.

How will the Speaking section be scored?
Each of the six tasks is rated from 0 to 4, and the sum of these scores is converted to a scaled score of 0 to 30. Human scorers rate the responses. They evaluate the test taker's ability in topic development, delivery, and language use. Scoring guides (rubrics) and sample responses at each level for the TOEFL iBT Speaking section are available on this Web site.

How will the Writing section be scored?
The two tasks are rated from 0 to 5, and the sum of these scores is converted to a scaled score of 0 to 30. Human scorers rate the responses. They evaluate the integrated writing task on the overall quality of the writing (development, organization, appropriate and precise use of grammar and vocabulary) and the completeness and accuracy of the content. Scorers evaluate rate the independent writing essay on the overall quality of the writing: development, organization, appropriate and precise use of grammar and vocabulary. Scoring guides (rubrics) and sample responses at each level are available on this Web site.

Will the TOEFL score scale change?
Yes, the score scale will change to:

Listening 0 - 30
Reading 0 - 30
Speaking 0 - 30
Writing 0 - 30
Total Score 0 - 120

The total score is the sum of the four skill scores.

What happens to scores from previous tests?
ETS will report previous scores for two years after the original test date.

Will institutions still accept previous scores?
Requirements vary from institution to institution. Please check with your prospective institutions or agencies to determine their specific requirements.

Is there a chart comparing scores for the current test with scores for the new test?
Yes. ETS has created score comparison tables to help score users establish recommended or required TOEFL iBT scores for their institutions.

Can test takers see a sample of the new test and practice?
Yes, in the TOEFL Practice Online Community a complete TOEFL iBT sample test can be seen free of charge. There is also an online tour with sample test questions from each of the four sections. Test takers can join the online community for free and get access to Speaking samples, discussion boards, and daily study tips. After taking the TOEFL iBT Practice test, test takers receive instant scores and performance feedback for the Reading, Listening, and Writing sections. Additional practice is available for Listening, Reading, and Writing for those who need to improve these skills.

What resources do you offer for test takers?
ETS provides a variety of print and online information resources for test takers. A TOEFL iBT Practice Test is available in the TOEFL Practice Online Community. Membership in the community, which is designed for those who want to practice their English-language skills and prepare for the current and next generation TOEFL tests, is free of charge and includes access to Speaking sample questions and responses, discussion boards and daily study tips. The practice test is also free. It includes the Reading, Listening, and Writing sections from the new test, and users will receive instant scores and performance feedback. The opportunity to practice and get feedback on the Speaking portion of the new test is available for an additional US$40. The Speaking Practice Test will be scored by human raters and results will be given in approximately five days. To access the Speaking Practice Test, test takers will need to have administrative rights on the computer they are using.

Both the free TOEFL iBT Practice Test and the Speaking Practice Test are single-use tests and must be used within 30 days of registration.

TOEFL iBT At A Glance is an overview of the new TOEFL Internet-based test.

TOEFL iBT Tips has been created to help English Language learners understand the TOEFL Internet-based test and prepare for it. It is also helpful for ESL/EFL instructors and educational advisors as they help students to prepare.

Have you added any new resources to the TOEFL Practice Online site recently?
Yes. Two new products have been added to the growing collection of test-preparation offerings at the TOEFL Practice Online Community: TOEFL Reading Practice Question Sets and TOEFL Listening Practice Question Sets. Both help English-language learners practice their communication skills and prepare for taking the current and next generation TOEFL tests.

How have you been keeping score users and English teachers informed of the coming change?
In advance of the planned rollout, ETS is holding informational workshops and conference sessions to help score users learn how to set score requirements, and for English-language teaching professionals to help their students develop and integrate all four language skills so they can succeed in academic settings where English is used. See a complete schedule of events.

Will the Test of Spoken English™ (TSE®) be available as a stand-alone test after September 2005?
The TSE test will be administered as a stand-alone test until TOEFL iBT is available worldwide.

How can test takers register?
Registration begins in late July 2005. Test takers will be able to register online, by phone, or by mail.

eml2005UID: 2130518

注意：新托福05年九月在美国 加拿大 意大利等国开始，06年在全球展开，具体计划06年1月出台