NEW: ETS Introduces TOEFL ITP^® Plus for China to Demonstrate English-language Proficiency for Admissions

Princeton, N.J. (May 18, 2020) – ETS announced the introduction of TOEFL ITP^® Plus for China, a temporary testing solution for Chinese test takers impacted by TOEFL iBT^® test cancellations in Mainland China stemming from COVID-19. TOEFL ITP Plus for China combines the TOEFL ITP test and an unscored video speaking interview provided by Vericant, an established, known provider of third-party interviews for higher education use.

This combined solution enables students to showcase their English-language proficiency skills to institutions and complete time-sensitive applications. Registration opened Friday, May 15 for the combined solution, with TOEFL ITP test administrations beginning on Friday, May 30.

The TOEFL ITP test is part of ETS’s TOEFL^® Family of Assessments. It is a valid, reliable paper-based assessment of academic English used by institutions around the world as part of their placement, monitoring, evaluation and exit testing needs and measures three language skills areas — reading, listening and structure/written expression. The TOEFL ITP test shares the same rich heritage of the TOEFL iBT test, is backed by more than 50 years of research and is accepted by more than 2,500 institutions in over 50 countries globally.

TOEFL ITP Plus for China offers the same format, content and scoring of the traditional institutionally administered version of the TOEFL ITP test. The only differences in this version are the added layers of security protocols, which are consistent with best-in-class procedures for high-stakes paper-based testing, and the addition of the secure and verified video speaking interview conducted by Vericant.

“We understand that testing suspensions throughout Mainland China over the last few months have been one of many sources of frustration for students and institutions during these unprecedented times,” said Srikant Gopal, Executive Director of the TOEFL^® Program. “We appreciate the patience of Chinese test takers as we have worked tirelessly on a two-pronged approach — working to add additional TOEFL iBT testing dates when testing resumes, while also creating this unique TOEFL ITP Plus for China solution for test takers to showcase their English-language proficiency in the meantime, as this remains a crucial application component for institutions’ admissions processes around the world.”

ETS has started communicating with institutions globally about TOEFL ITP Plus for China, which has been positively received, and continues to be in close contact with them to answer questions, share details and offer guidance on how to establish minimum score requirements for admission. While this solution is not intended to replace the TOEFL iBT test, it provides a suitable, high-quality choice for institutions to use for admissions purposes during these challenging times. Test takers who are interested in taking advantage of this option should check institutions’ websites or contact them directly to verify that the solution will be accepted.

TOEFL ITP Plus for China is available to all Chinese students for RMB 995 (US $140). Should students wish to test more than once, they can retake the full solution at the same price or opt for a standalone version of the TOEFL ITP test, which excludes the video speaking interview, for RMB 495 (US $70). Comprehensive test prep materials, including practice tests, are available to test takers online for free. ETS plans to offer TOEFL ITP Plus for China until TOEFL iBT testing resumes.

About ETS

At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English-language learning, and elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, and by conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually — including the TOEFL^® and TOEIC^® tests, the GRE^® tests and The Praxis Series^® assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. www.ets.org