English test a must for foreign schools<\/p>\n
By Christiani S. Tumelap<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Thinking of pursuing a higher degree in an
\nEnglish-speaking country? Better get busy improving not only your
\nacademic skills, but also your command of English.<\/p>\n
Different tests may be part of the entry requirements for your
\nfavorite college or university.<\/p>\n
In general, International English Language Testing System
\n(IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are the
\ntests to indicate your proficiency in the language.<\/p>\n
Both language and academic skills are gauged by the Test of
\nWritten English (TWE), Test of Spoken English (TSE), Scholastic
\nAptitude Test (SAT), Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and
\nGraduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).<\/p>\n
TOEFL in North America and IELTS in Australia, Britain and New
\nZealand are recognized widely as the language requirements for
\nentry courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels at foreign
\nschools.<\/p>\n
IELTS in Indonesia is arranged jointly by the British Council
\nand the IDP Education Australia in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The test is divided into two types of assessments, academic
\nand general training modules. Both assess listening, reading,
\nwriting and speaking skills.<\/p>\n
The academic modules are for those who want to study at either
\nundergraduate or postgraduate level. The general training modules
\nare for secondary education or training programs not at the
\ndegree level.<\/p>\n
The listening comprehension section of about 40 questions
\ntakes 30 minutes. The verbal test for both modules lasts 10 to 15
\nminutes.<\/p>\n
The academic module's reading and writing sections are
\ndifferent from the general training's.<\/p>\n
Each academic and general training candidate can spend a
\nmaximum of 60 minutes on about 40 questions in the reading
\nportions, and another 60 minutes on two writing assignments of
\n150 and 250 words.<\/p>\n
In contrast to TOEFL which has multiple choice, the IELTS
\nconsists of multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence
\ncompletion, note, diagram or table completion, matching lists,
\nand phrases and classification.<\/p>\n
IELTS results -- given in the form of band scores which range
\nfrom one to nine -- are available within two weeks.<\/p>\n
TOEFL<\/p>\n
Over 2,400 colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada
\nrequire TOEFL scores for admission purposes.<\/p>\n
TOEFL in Indonesia is arranged at least once monthly by the
\nInternational Education Foundation in Kuningan, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
According to the foundation's executive director, Kay
\nIkranagara, TOEFL is primarily for undergraduate and postgraduate
\ncandidates as most high schools do not require the scores.<\/p>\n
\"The test consists of three sections: listening comprehension,
\nstructure and written expression and reading comprehension,\" Kay
\ntold The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Kay said TOEFL was a more \"accessible\" test than the IELTS as
\nit could be found in more cities in the country and was less
\nexpensive. At US$60 for an examination, TOEFL is $40 cheaper than
\nIELTS.<\/p>\n
She conceded the IELTS was broader in academic scope.<\/p>\n
\"The advantage of IELTS is in its writing section which always
\nrelates to a particular academic subject,\" Kay said. The
\nassessment helps a university's admissions department evaluate
\nthe candidate's skill in writing in English on a subject.<\/p>\n
None of TOEFL's materials are related to academic subjects,
\nshe said, adding that the result, available within six weeks
\nafter testing, was often not the only requirement of schools.<\/p>\n
Some institutions also used TWE, TSE, SAT, GRE or GMAT scores
\nto evaluate candidates' language and academic skills.<\/p>\n
She said the foundation administered the TWE -- which requires
\nwriting a short essay on an assigned topic -- as an integral part
\nof TOEFL in particular months, including October, December and
\nFebruary.<\/p>\n
TSE is an additional test which comes in two modules: TSE-A
\nfor undergraduate or postgraduate school candidates and TSE-B for
\npeople who wanted to obtain licenser or certification in a
\nprofessional or occupational field.<\/p>\n
Some undergraduate schools may require their candidates to do
\nthe College Board admission tests: the SAT I on reasoning and SAT
\nII on subject test. Both tests focus on the field of subjects
\nwhich will be taken by the candidate at school.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, postgraduate schools may also require GRE or GMAT
\nscores in addition to TOEFL.<\/p>\n
GRE's measure \"verbal, quantitative and analytical reasoning
\nskills\", Kay said.<\/p>\n
GRE's are available in 16 areas, including biology, chemistry,
\neconomics, engineering, history, mathematics, music and revised
\npolitical science. Examination time for each is two hours and 50
\nminutes.<\/p>\n
GMAT scores are the only predictor of academic performance in
\nthe first year of graduate management or business administration
\nschools. Tests measures general verbal, mathematical and
\nanalytical writing skills.<\/p>\n
Tests are only part of the complex equation for getting into
\nforeign schools. But a good score on the required test means one
\nmajor hurdle to acceptance is already passed.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/english-test-a-must-for-foreign-schools-1447893297",
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