English test a must for foreign schools
By Christiani S. Tumelap
JAKARTA (JP): Thinking of pursuing a higher degree in an English-speaking country? Better get busy improving not only your academic skills, but also your command of English.
Different tests may be part of the entry requirements for your favorite college or university.
In general, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are the tests to indicate your proficiency in the language.
Both language and academic skills are gauged by the Test of Written English (TWE), Test of Spoken English (TSE), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
TOEFL in North America and IELTS in Australia, Britain and New Zealand are recognized widely as the language requirements for entry courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels at foreign schools.
IELTS in Indonesia is arranged jointly by the British Council and the IDP Education Australia in Jakarta.
The test is divided into two types of assessments, academic and general training modules. Both assess listening, reading, writing and speaking skills.
The academic modules are for those who want to study at either undergraduate or postgraduate level. The general training modules are for secondary education or training programs not at the degree level.
The listening comprehension section of about 40 questions takes 30 minutes. The verbal test for both modules lasts 10 to 15 minutes.
The academic module's reading and writing sections are different from the general training's.
Each academic and general training candidate can spend a maximum of 60 minutes on about 40 questions in the reading portions, and another 60 minutes on two writing assignments of 150 and 250 words.
In contrast to TOEFL which has multiple choice, the IELTS consists of multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence completion, note, diagram or table completion, matching lists, and phrases and classification.
IELTS results -- given in the form of band scores which range from one to nine -- are available within two weeks.
TOEFL
Over 2,400 colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada require TOEFL scores for admission purposes.
TOEFL in Indonesia is arranged at least once monthly by the International Education Foundation in Kuningan, South Jakarta.
According to the foundation's executive director, Kay Ikranagara, TOEFL is primarily for undergraduate and postgraduate candidates as most high schools do not require the scores.
"The test consists of three sections: listening comprehension, structure and written expression and reading comprehension," Kay told The Jakarta Post.
Kay said TOEFL was a more "accessible" test than the IELTS as it could be found in more cities in the country and was less expensive. At US$60 for an examination, TOEFL is $40 cheaper than IELTS.
She conceded the IELTS was broader in academic scope.
"The advantage of IELTS is in its writing section which always relates to a particular academic subject," Kay said. The assessment helps a university's admissions department evaluate the candidate's skill in writing in English on a subject.
None of TOEFL's materials are related to academic subjects, she said, adding that the result, available within six weeks after testing, was often not the only requirement of schools.
Some institutions also used TWE, TSE, SAT, GRE or GMAT scores to evaluate candidates' language and academic skills.
She said the foundation administered the TWE -- which requires writing a short essay on an assigned topic -- as an integral part of TOEFL in particular months, including October, December and February.
TSE is an additional test which comes in two modules: TSE-A for undergraduate or postgraduate school candidates and TSE-B for people who wanted to obtain licenser or certification in a professional or occupational field.
Some undergraduate schools may require their candidates to do the College Board admission tests: the SAT I on reasoning and SAT II on subject test. Both tests focus on the field of subjects which will be taken by the candidate at school.
Meanwhile, postgraduate schools may also require GRE or GMAT scores in addition to TOEFL.
GRE's measure "verbal, quantitative and analytical reasoning skills", Kay said.
GRE's are available in 16 areas, including biology, chemistry, economics, engineering, history, mathematics, music and revised political science. Examination time for each is two hours and 50 minutes.
GMAT scores are the only predictor of academic performance in the first year of graduate management or business administration schools. Tests measures general verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills.
Tests are only part of the complex equation for getting into foreign schools. But a good score on the required test means one major hurdle to acceptance is already passed.