Special orientation session for new USA students...

On your way to the USA to study for the first time?
Here's an orientation session you should sign up for.
You'll learn about university life, medical insurance, security, transportation, housing, etc.
Sign up for the July 19th event by clicking the link below...

New TOEFL iBT Resource Center...

The Institute of International Education Office for Latin America located in Mexico City, now has a center specifically devoted to the TOEFL iBT exam.  César Maldonado is your new TOEFL iBT Outreach Officer. If you are a student, a parent, school counselor or are simply interested in learning more about the TOEFL iBT exam, these are just a few things he can assist you with:

Answer the question  What is the TOEFL iBT all about? Direct you to and help you with your TOEFL iBT registration Find TOEFL iBT testing centers close to you Offer you a step-by-step guide on how best to prepare for the TOEFL iBT Give you tips and discuss strategies on how to do well on the TOEFL iBT Recommend materials that will help you improve your TOEFL iBT score Discuss the costs of your TOEFL iBT investment And link you to my colleagues at the EducationUSA center, experts on universities in the U.S. where the TOEFL iBT is an application requirement for admission

Follow-up on future PBT test dates...

TOEFL® PBT Test Centers and Dates

OK, Today we get a little good news from ETS.  But not much!  They have just announced today that one PBT will be scheduled for Mexico City (the only one in the country) on August 18, 2012.  No doubt, places will fill quickly, so don't delay if you want a place.  That just might be the last PBT for Mexico, but we never know for sure.

We went ahead and checked all new PBT dates in the world.  The only other tests that will be remotely close to Mexico will have tests on August 18, and November 17, 2012:

Seattle, WA. and Kailvakona, HI. USA, Sucre, Bolivia, and Belize City, Belize.

A very good excuse to go to Hawaii!  (Otherwise, the testing locations will be no closer than Europe).

Very bad news from ETS...

We've been expecting this for years...but every year they continued adding 6 more PBT exams in Mexico.  Now the official announcement is posted on the ETS web site that the paper-based official TOEFL test is being phased out.  We thought maybe they would add more PBT tests just because there are not enough iBT options in Mexico City--so many applicants have to leave the city to take the test.  But that does not seem to be the case...it's now May 7, the last scheduled PBT was May 5, and no new test dates are appearing on the ETS site.  So now you will have to take the iBT if ITP is not accepted.  Or travel to some very faraway land where limited PBT's might be administered due to lack of Internet capabilities...perhaps some Latin American countries will still offer it--we'll have to see.  We will continue preparing students for ITP (which we administer) and iBT.  We'll also add a IELTS prep program soon--some applicants find the speaking section is easier since it's administered as a live interview, not just speaking to a pc.  Here's the announcement:

TOEFL® Paper-based Test to Be Phased Out

The TOEFL® PBT test, administered in a paper-based format, will be phased out starting in mid-2012. In some regions, the last TOEFL PBT test administration will be in May 2012. You can take the TOEFL PBT test until that time and submit your scores to institutions and agencies for two years after your test date.

When the TOEFL iBT® test was launched in 2005, ETS established a transition period to allow continued use of the paper-based test in countries where infrastructure issues limited our ability to offer the TOEFL iBT test. These issues included unreliable electrical service, Internet connectivity issues and other factors.

Currently, 96 percent of TOEFL test takers worldwide take the TOEFL iBT test and access continues to expand. Also, the TOEFL iBT test is desired by universities because it measures all four communication skills — reading, writing, listening and speaking. For these and other reasons, we feel it is time to end paper-based testing.

ETS remains committed to providing access for anyone who wants to take the TOEFL test. Please be assured that ETS is making every effort to ensure that individuals living in areas where the TOEFL PBT test is currently administered will be able to test.

Learn more about the TOEFL iBT Test.

No shipping on English books to Mexico...

Here's a web site we recommend if you're looking for new English language books.  The shipping is free to Mexico!  There are only new books (not used), but with pretty good prices.  We've ordered several books from this site.  Need a copy of TOEFL Prep for Spanish Speakers?  You can find it here.!  If you order before May 14th, you can take an extra 10% discount, using this code:  APMA12

No shipping, no Customs charges, discounted rates, and an extra 10%!

  

Virtual student fair scheduled for April 21...

Here's a student fair you can attend without leaving home!

Hobsons’ Virtual Student Fair

Date: April 21, 2012

Time: 11:00hrs - 17:00hrs

Some features of this event:

• Get admissions information from U.S. colleges and universities: chat live with them when you log in!

• Chat with international students like you who are already on campus

• Watch student video webcasts and download them.

• Be eligible to win USD3,000 in scholarships- all you need to do is follow these 2 easy steps: 1) Register Online and 2) Attend the Fair.

 Registration: http://www.hobsonsevents.com/la

April 19th info. session for Comexus scholarship info...

Estudios de Posgrado

How to Choose and Finance a Graduate Program

with COMEXUS

Date: Thursday, April 19, 2012

Time: 16:00 to 18:00

Place: EducationUSA Advising Center in the Benjamin Franklin Library

Cupo límite: 50

Hear from our EducationUSA advisors who will talk about the process of applying to a graduate school program, scholarships, financial aid, the student visa, and mandatory exams such as the TOEFL iBT and GRE. *This information session qualifies you for a follow-up one on one advising session.