O S E A S * E U R O P E

ETS Program Updates for GRE, GMAT, SAT and TOEFL

Minutes recorded by:

Chaired by Evelyn Levinson, Educational Advisor at the US - Israel Educational Foundation in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Evelyn introduced the speakers:

Edward Kelly, Manager, Office of Overseas Communication; Susan Vitella, Program Director for Operations, GRE; Frederic McHale, Director, GMAT; Terrie Mansmann, Associate Director, TOEFL; James Barber, Director, SAT.

Remarks by Ed Kelly:

Mr. Kelly expressed his satisfaction with the relationship between ETS and overseas educational advisors. His comments provided background for the speakers that followed him. Using slides, Ed described the structure and the main functions of ETS as an ins titution.

Slide 1 described the organizational and functional structure of this organization.

Slide 2 described the major testing programs, their purpose and administration.

Slide 3 described 1994/95 ETS overseas testing centers.

Slides 4 and 5 described the Office of Overseas Communications, whose objective it is to provide communication links to overseas constituents.

Slide 6 described internal and external ETS links and methods of communication (e-mail, telefax, courier, air mail, telephone).

Slide 7 wrapped up the whole structure and functions of ETS.

Remarks by Susan Vitella:

Ms Vitella, using overheads, provided an overview and updates on the GRE program.

Overhead 1

Governance: Sponsored by the GRE Board, an independent body, and affiliated with the Council of Graduate Schools and the Association of Graduate Schools. ETS provides operational support for the GRE Board. Operations: Test development, test administra tion, research programs, related services to applicants and institutions.
Overhead 2

Purpose of the program:
1) To provide the means to access in graduate level studies in the arts and sciences.
2) To facilitate the admission process to graduate schools.
3) To ease the transition to graduate study for applicants.

Ms Vitella also described the GRE test as a measure of developed ability important for graduate level study in the arts and sciences.

GRE General Test

Mean scores by intended area of graduate study (Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical):


GRE Subject Tests - 16 disciplines.

New for 1995/96 GRE test:

- Three paper-administered tests will be maintained worldwide (October, December, April)
- Test fees have increased from $56 to $64
- Surcharges remain unchanged
- Transition from paper test to computer based test
- New software products for preparation for taking the tests have been developed.

Remarks by Frederic McHale

Mr. McHale was the third speaker in this session. He pointed out that two organizations are involved in the GMAT test - the Graduate Management Admission Council and the ETS.

Mr. McHale described the purpose and the nature of the test. He also talked about the essay as a measure of critical thinking and reasoning, which is used by many business schools for placement, not for selection.

There are no changes in test format; no changes in the fees; the only change is that the e-mail address and gopher address are published in the Bulletin.

Trends in registration for the GMAT: 1994/95:

- An 8% decrease in the US test takers
- A 10 % decrease in the international test takers.

New for GMAT: Computer based testing in 1997.
Remarks by Terrie Mansmann:

Ms Mansmann presented an overview of the TOEFL test:

- A measurement of English proficiency
- Required by more than 2400 colleges and universities in the US and Canada
- Also required in countries where English is the official language
- The test is administered 12 times each year in 1300 test centers in the world.

Good news about TOEFL registration:
- 844 000 examinees took the TOEFL
- 94 000 examinees took the TOEFL in Europe

There are 25 regional offices in 83 different countries.

Significant increases were seen in Mexico, Thailand, and NIS, and decreases in China, India and Hong Kong.

Ms Mansmann presented an overview of the test using overheads. She described its purpose and format. She also discussed the new changes in the test:

Section 1: Elimination of statement items
Section 2 No changes
Section 3 Elimination of vocabulary subsection.

There is a musical interlude before the beginning of each part.

New study materials:

- 5th edition of the Sample test ($8)
- The Test Preparation Kit ($14).

New options for TOEFL registration - Visa and Master card accepted only for registration in the United States, not through CITO.

Remarks by Mr. James Barber

Mr. Barber was the last speaker at this session. He talked about the changes introduced in the SAT:

- Small fee increase
- No increase in overseas fee
- Quicker answer sheet
- Fax capability for registration for international students
- Registration via the Internet in October 1995/96.

Mr. Barber said that they are going to start using DHL to return scores as of November. He also talked about the tendency of moving to computer-based SAT testing.

The session ended with questions from the audience which were promptly answered by the speakers.

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