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.
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