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.

CONACYT-FUNED 2012 scholarship program announced...

Programa Conjunto CONACYT – FUNED 2012 

CONACYT and FUNED have just launched their application for joint funding for 2012! Successful applicants will receive a scholarship of $20,000 for their M.A. program in the social sciences, business, and science fields that FUNED finances. In addition, students would receive a loan from FUNED to complement the scholarship. This scholarship/loan is available for students who have already applied and been accepted to the university program. Please click here for more information.

Choosing & financing programs & schools...upcoming info sessions...

How to Choose a Graduate Program of Study with COMEXUS

Date: Monday, March 5, 2012

Time: 16:00 to 18:00

Place: EducationUSA Advising Center in the Benjamin Franklin Library

Capacity: 45

Did you know that there are over 2,000 graduate programs in the U.S.? We’ll help you search for and compare programs and find options that fit your goals/interests.

   
La licenciatura en los EUA y cómo financiarla

Fecha: jueves, 8 de marzo, 2012

Hora: 16:00 a 17:30

Cupo límite: 45

Lugar: El centro de asesoría de EducationUSA en la Biblioteca Benjamín Franklin

Entérate sobre becas y apoyo financiero, la visa estudiantil, los exámenes de entrada incluso el TOEFL iBT, ACT y SAT, cómo lograr admisión, y educación superior en los EUA. *Después de asistir esta sesión informativa, tienes la posibilidad de arreglar una cita individual.

   Cómo elegir una carrera universitaria

Fecha: Jueves 22 de marzo, 2012

Hora: 16:00-17:30

Cupo límite: 45

Lugar: El centro de asesoría de EducationUSA en la Biblioteca Benjamín Franklin

Explora tus intereses y opciones para la carrera. Aprende cómo se define un “major” y “minor” (enfoques académicos) y cómo caben dentro de un programa académico de “liberal arts,” sistema típico estadounidense.