TOEFL iBT Guidelines

Exam Format and Delivery

TUTORIAL/SURVEY There is no computer tutorial for the examinees. Test directions are available for the examinee by selecting the Help tool at any time. Selecting Help does not stop the testing time. There is a short satisfaction survey at the end of the exam. Four sections in the following order: Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing. The test may include one or more questions that do not count toward the total score. NOTE: These questions may occur in either the Listening or the Reading section. It is not possible to identify which of the questions do not count, so examinees should complete all test questions to the best of their ability. REVIEW Reading: Examinees can skip questions, go back to previous questions, and use a Review tool to see a list of the questions and their status (answered, not answered, or not yet seen). Listening: Examinees must answer each question to proceed to the next one. Review is not allowed. Speaking: Examinees must answer each question to proceed to the next one. Review is not allowed. Writing: Two essays. Typing is required. Examinee cannot return to a previous essay.

EXAM DESCRIPTION

TOEFL iBT Guidelines

Facility/Testing Preparation on Test Day
TOEFL iBT headsets with microphones are required and must be plugged into the sound card located on the back of the testing station. Ensure that all TCAs know how to use the administrators key sequence and password to enable examinees to resume testing at the end of the scheduled break. STN centers are required to perform Readiness Check 2 and load the cache proxy before each test date. Readiness Check 2 becomes available in the STNCenter application four days before each administration.

STN Centers should have printed Confidentiality Statements during the Readiness Check process.

TOEFL iBT Guidelines

TOEFL Headset Procedures
Headsets must be connected before the TOEFL iBT test is started at each testing station. This will be mentioned again in the section on Setup of PCs.

Labeling TOEFL Headsets is Required

Label each TOEFL headset with the same number as the workstation where it will be used. When setting up your center for TOEFL delivery, use the same headset at the same computer for every TOEFL administration. Consistency will assist with troubleshooting and determining the cause of the problem if technical issues occur. If a technical problem makes it necessary to replace a headset, file a Center Problem Report (CPR).

Connecting the Headset

On a computer with multiple jacks/ports (on the front and back of the computer, or on multiple sound cards), be sure to connect the two headset cables to the correct, working jacks/ports. The headset has two cables that plug into the computer: One plug connects the headphones, and the other plug connects the microphone. Error message will appear on the Administrative station if the speaking verification fails. The examinee will also see a message to retry the speaking verification. Verify that the microphone is facing the correct direction and is close to the speakers mouth (manufacturers label to the outside). Ear pieces must be wiped with alcohol after every use. Headsets must be stored carefully between exam windows. Wrap the cords around the headset to avoid tangles.

Error Messages

Care of Headsets

TOEFL iBT - Guidelines

Opening the Test Center
At the start of the testing day, before examinees arrive, the Supervisor will perform procedures for opening the CTAS and preparing the facilities, computers, and other materials. No examinee check-in should be performed until these preparations are completed. The Supervisor should perform the following steps: Step 1 - When possible (and as appropriate for the facility), provide signs to direct examinees to the check-in location.

Step 2 - Arrive to open the CTAS approximately two hours before the scheduled appointment time. The amount of time required for advance preparation will depend upon the number of workstations and the speed of the Internet connection at the CTAS. Step 3 - Check all facilities (including rest rooms) to ensure that general conditions are satisfactory. Step 4 - Make any necessary adjustments to the configuration of the testing room (e.g., setting up partitions, removing maps and charts).

TOEFL iBT - Guidelines

Materials Needed
ETS Confidentiality Statement - one for each of the examinees Sanitary Headset Wipes TOEFL iBT Headset with Microphone o Headset problems should be reported to the Global Help Desk. If a replacement headset is needed, the Global Help Desk will advise STN centers to contact ctas@ets.org

Colored scratch paper (three sheets per examine). Only one color of scratch paper may be used on a test day. Different colors must be used on adjacent test dates. One pencil (preferably two) per examinee.

NOTE: Examinees who request bulletins should be advised that they are available online at the TOEFL website (www.ets.org/toefl) or by calling ETS TOEFL Services (1-877-863-3546).

Contacts for Support

Click to view the Contact List.

TOEFL iBT - Set Up of PCs

There are two things involved with the setup of PCs on the day of the administration:

PHYSICAL LAYOUT AND SPACING It is important to ensure the testing room has a layout conducive to testing and ensuring the security and integrity of all tests and examinees. The testing room must not contain any written materials other than test station seat numbers. If there are no partitions between computer testing stations to restrict visibility, then there must be a separation distance of 5 feet (1.5 meters) from the center of one computer monitor screen to the center of any adjacent computer screen.

TEST SETUP

The Test Setup process is the last review of resources and checklist items prior to the test administration itself. This review is similar to the readiness checks but contains the additional element of verifying and setting each workstation's environment for the headsets - listening and recording - and for setting each workstation's screen resolution appropriately for the administration. The Test Setup process is described in detail in the following pages.

TOEFL iBT - Set Up of PCs

Test Setup
Test Setup is done immediately before the administration and is a final check to ensure everything is working correctly. It also places all workstations in a state to actually conduct the test. Make sure you allow enough time before the administration to complete the Test Setup processes on each workstation. Without these being completed, you will not be able to administer the test. There are three components to setup in sequence - the Cache Proxy, Administration Workstation, and the Test Delivery Workstations. To follow through the process for each, click on each area of the diagram below.

TOEFL iBT - Set Up of PCs

Starting a Cache Proxy Workstation
IMPORTANT: You must start the Cache Proxy first as it is the communication center. You will be unable to set up the admin Workstation and Test delivery workstations until the cache proxy is running. The procedures for starting the cache proxy are the same whether you are starting it for the Readiness Check, Test Setup or a Round Trip. Multiple Cache Proxies: If your center has more than 25 candidates, a message will indicate that you have the option to start an additional cache proxy. The number of candidates that a cache proxy computer can handle depends on the computers technical specifications. The guidelines to determine whether to start an additional cache proxy are covered in the Facilities and Equipment eLearning module.

IMPORTANT: When starting a secondary cache proxy, you will not be prompted to enter an AO password. The secondary cache proxy will synchronize its AO password with the primary cache proxy.

TOEFL iBT - Set Up of PCs

Starting a Cache Proxy Workstation
(continued)

Step 1: If you have not previously launched the Cache Proxy for this administration, go to a workstation that you have designated to run the cache proxy service for the upcoming program administration. Open Internet Explorer and enter the following URL: https://ibt1.ets.org/admin/stnlogin.jsp Step 2: The STN Login page for the Cache Proxy launch will be displayed and you need to enter your STN UserID, password and site code. Select the administration and click Submit.

NOTE: If you have previously launched the Cache Proxy for this administration, click on the desktop icon to initiate the Cache Proxy. You will be prompted for your STN UserID and password as the first step.

TOEFL iBT - Set Up of PCs Starting a Cache Proxy Workstation

(continued)

Step 3: You are asked if you wish to create a desktop icon shortcut for starting the Cache Proxy in the future. Once the icon is created, just click on the icon in future to start the Cache Proxy process. The icon that is created on your desktop is shown opposite.

Step 4: Once the initial processes have been completed, you must login to the
Cache Proxy itself. The login window is shown opposite.

Step 5: You are then prompted to create the Administration Override Password.

TOEFL iBT - Set Up of PCs

Starting a Cache Proxy Workstation

(continued)

The download process may take several minutes and you may see the protective "Screen Locked" window displayed. Clicking anywhere on this window will bring up the Administrative Override password window (shown opposite). Entering the password allows you to continue viewing the progress of the download.

Once the test packages have all been downloaded, the Cache Proxy window will be displayed with all packages shown with a download status of "Available".

The Cache Proxy is now ready to deliver the test, and the Admin Workstation and Test Delivery Workstations may now be started.

TOEFL iBT - Set Up of PCs

Test Setup - Admin Workstation
Test Setup is done immediately before the administration and is a final check to ensure everything is working correctly. Make sure you allow enough time before the administration to complete the Test Setup processes on each workstation. Without these being completed, you will not be able to administer the test. Ensure that the web camera for taking candidate photos is installed on the Admin Workstation. IMPORTANT: The Cache Proxy must be running before you can start the Admin Workstation.

Step 1: If you have not previously launched the Admin Workstation on this PC, open Internet Explorer and enter the following URL: https://ibt1.ets.org/admin/adm.jsp Click the "Launch" button to download the Admin Workstation routines. Optionally you can select to create a shortcut on the desktop. This is the same sequence of events as for the Cache Proxy. NOTE: If you have previously launched the Admin Workstation on this PC, just use the shortcut icon on the desktop to initiate the Admin Workstation. Step 2: If multiple Cache Proxies (local servers) are running, you will be prompted to select the Cache Proxy you wish to connect to. If only a single Cache Proxy is running, this will be located and connected automatically.

Step 3: In order to start the Admin Workstation, you are prompted to enter the Administrative Override password that you created for the administration when you started the Cache Proxy.

Test Setup - Admin Workstation (continued)

Click on the images for larger versions.

tep 4: Select a program administration. Under Today's Administrations, locate the one for which you want to run Test Setup, highlight it, then click OK.

Step 5: Start Test Setup by clicking the Start Test Setup button. Step 6: The Instructions window is displayed. Click on Next to continue. Step 7: The Info window displays the current status of all the readiness checks for the Admin Workstation on the administration you selected. Clicking Next starts the set of tests.

TOEFL iBT - Set Up of PCs

Test Setup - Admin Workstation (continued)
Click on the images for larger versions.

p 8: The first Check is for the camera on the PC. Click the Capture button at the top center of the window to take a snapshot and if the image is okay, click Yes to accept the image and click Yes under Confirm. Then click Next to move
forward.

Step 9: Resource Availability - On each of the resource windows, confirm

whether the item is available and click Next to move forward. There are four windows of resources - Scratch Paper, Pencils, Confidentiality Statements and Headsets. If your center does not have the resource in the required quantity, select the No radio button and then click the Open Problem link. Click to view the the instructions to document the problem. A fifth window under resources verifies that you have suitable seating arrangements. Select Yes and click Next.

Test Setup - Admin Workstation (continued) Finishing the Test Setup at the Admin Workstation
When all Test Delivery Workstations have gone through the Test Setup process and are ready to deliver the test, return to the Admin Workstation to complete the test setup process.

Step 1: Return to your Admin Workstation. Each Test Delivery Workstation that
has been started will appear in the list of available workstations. The list shows only the testing workstations, it does not show the cache proxy. If not all of the workstations passed, select the No radio button and click theOpen problem link. Follow the instructions to document the problem (click to view Open Problem window and instructions). Then click Next. If all of the workstations passed, select Yes to confirm and click Next.

Step 2: Finish - The Finish window will open. Review the summary of the checks. If you need to print Confidentiality Statements, use the link provided on the Finish screen.

Your test center is now ready to begin the candidate check-in process.

TOEFL iBT - Set Up of PCs

Administering a Test - ALERTS
During the administration, you can receive alerts from network operations and iBT testing systems. The Test Administration system may also detect conditions and create an alert.

When your center receives an alert, a message will appear as soon as the Test Administration system returns to the home page (an alert message will not interrupt a task you are performing). When an alert arrives, the Pending Alerts message screen will open up on top of the home page. NOTE: This message will continue appearing on the home page until you access the Alert Message screen and read the pending alerts. You can access the Alert Message screen by clicking the click here link on the Pending Alerts message or selecting the Alerts menu item.

TOEFL iBT - Set Up of PCs

Administering a Test - USING LINKS
Network operations may provide a set of links that may be useful during the administration. These links will allow you to open new browser windows that navigate to websites that network operations specifies. NOTE: These new browser windows may not open if you have a popup blocker enabled on the workstation. Links are available in both the Test Administration application and the Delivery Workstation application. The links available in each application may be different. NOTE: Network Operations may not have specified links or they may be disabled for your center. In these cases, you will not see any links in the list.

TOEFL iBT - Set Up of PCs

Administering a Test - USING LINKS (continued)

To access the links available on the Test Administration workstation, click the Links menu item. The Links screen will open. A short description of the links purpose accompanies each link. Clicking on a link will open a new browser window and navigate to the website network operation specified for the link. The workstation lockdown will be reduced when these links are used, allowing you to use more of the functionality of the workstation keyboard. To access the links available on a Delivery Workstation, enter theAdministrative Password entered during the Test Setup and click the view links link at the top of the screen.

NOTE: The view links link is only on some screens.