US universities are now permitted to verify TOEFL test scores through their Indian study-abroad affiliates, as announced by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Through a partnership with Career Mosaic, a prominent student recruiter for US universities in South Asia, ETS aims to enhance the credibility of student profiles by offering validated scores. This initiative, effective this week, is expected to streamline the student enrollment process for US universities, alleviating administrative burdens and ensuring a more efficient procedure.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized exam designed to assess the English proficiency of individuals from non-English-speaking backgrounds who seek admission to English-medium universities. Widely acknowledged by over 12,000 institutions across 160 nations, TOEFL is universally accepted in prominent study destinations like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Moreover, it enjoys recognition from over 98 percent of universities in the United Kingdom.
“We are excited to partner with Career Mosaic to verify TOEFL scores of US university applicants, enhancing the university’s trust in the scores submitted. This collaboration underscores the joint commitment of both organizations in providing universities with reliable and efficient solutions for evaluating the English language proficiency of prospective students”, said Sachin Jain, country manager, ETS India and South Asia.
Last year, ETS implemented a series of adjustments to the 60-year-old TOEFL test, aiming to enhance the test-taking experience. These changes included shortening the duration to less than two hours from the previous three and enabling candidates to view their official score release date immediately upon finishing the test.
“The TOEFL score verification services offered by ETS through Career Mosaic in India can significantly enhance the credibility of student profiles shared with US Institutions. This association will reinforce the integrity of the TOEFL test score and will benefit both universities and the growing number of Indian students seeking higher education opportunities in the USA”, Manisha Zaveri, joint managing director at Career Mosaic, said.
Blerina Polovina, Webster University USA's Director of International Admissions and Business Development, expressed appreciation for the advancement, noting that the validation of TOEFL scores will streamline university admissions, expediting the process of student enrollment. “By having validated scores, universities will save the effort of English proficiency score verification, ultimately fostering a more seamless and reliable admissions experience for both students and universities alike”, Polovina added.
As per ETS statistics, there has been a 59 percent increase in the number of TOEFL test-takers in India since international travel resumed after the COVID-19 pandemic pause. Indians account for more than 12 percent of the total worldwide TOEFL test-takers.
