ITP, PBT, iBT, CBT, pre-ITP, TOEFL, TOEFL, TOEFL!

  
ITP ...    PBT...    iBT...

                      
                      So many TOEFL formats,  
                      So little time . . .
      
Welcome to TOEFL Formats 101, your express course in understanding the various TOEFL exam options.  It's really not that hard...basically we have the Institutional TOEFL (ITP) which we apply in the Britt institute.  It's usually accepted in Mexico for scholarship applications and graduation/admission requisites...Then we have two official tests for international college admission, the Paper-based (PBT) and the Internet-based (iBT).  To make matters a bit more confusing, you might hear about a "Computer-based" test (CBT), no longer administered in Mexico, and the "pre-ITP" an Institutional version for adolescent applicants.  And the score ranges can be a little confusing too.  The old official exam had a 650 range.  Then the CBT changed to 300.  Now the iBT is 120.  But for our purposes, just remember this:  the ITP and PBT are still in the old, original 650 range, while the iBT is at 120.    600=100, 550=80.


You can prepare for the ITP and PBT at the Britt institute by taking the same program.  The only difference in the 2 tests is the inclusion of an essay on the PBT.  But the iBT is quite different and requires a separate prep course.  We usually recommend that iBT students first take our basic ITP/PBT course before starting iBT prep, to make sure they have the grammatical foundation they need.


For those who need an official test, we sometimes suggest they take the PBT instead of the iBT.  It's probably an easier test for most, and easier to prepare for...and no Speaking section!  We've had many students even travel to cities outside the D.F. to take this format.


However, at the moment there are no PBT tests scheduled in Mexico.  Last year there were tests scheduled in Aug., Oct., Nov., then in 2010, Jan. Mar., May.  We have written ETS numerous times, asking if we can expect more PBT tests to be scheduled in Mexico...the most useful response from them was:

"Unfortunately, there are no PBT test dates scheduled in Mexico for the 2010-2011 testing year.
We do not know what will be scheduled beyond the 2010-2011 testing year."

So, for the moment, we just keep our fingers crossed that we will still have a few PBT's scheduled in the next year.  If you hear something, let us know!  We have to keep our eyes on the ETS web site,  www.toefl.org, where currently only iBT dates are listed.