1. When GMAT volume increases or decreases, can I expect to see a change in application volume?

Answer:-A change in test-taking volume may or may not result in an immediate change in application volume. First, the incidence of repeat test taking has increased with the advent of computer-adaptive testing, so a change in the number of tests taken does not necessarily indicate that more or fewer people are taking the test. Second, scores are good for five years and not all test takers apply immediately after taking the test. Also, not all test takers intend to pursue MBA programs the GMAT test is also required for various other business programs. A recent study showed that approximately 20% of GMAT test scores are submitted to nonbusiness programs.

2. Is repeat test-taking increasing? What types of gains can test takers expect?

Answer:- A recent study showed that approximately 21% of GMAT tests are taken by individuals who take the test more than one time in a given year. Within the mean score range for the GMAT Total score, 500 to 540, approximately 28% of tests are taken by repeat testers. Great care is taken to match test takers on multiple demographic variables so as to minimize the possibility of mismatching test administrations.

Most repeat test takers test two or three times within a year. Very few test more often than that. GMAC has a policy to prevent excessive repeat test taking. Test takers can take the GMAT test as many as five times within a 12-month period. In order to test more than five times in a 12-month period, a test taker must submit a written request to GMAC.

The average gain between the first test and the second test is about 30 points on the GMAT Total score. The amount of gain varies depending on the amount of preparation undertaken by students prior to initial testing, among other things. Not all repeat test taking results in an increase scores can also go down when the GMAT is taken more than once.

3. On the preadmission report, the test taker’s raw score is presented along with a percentile. How is this percentile computed?

Answer:- The percentile is based on three years’ worth of GMAT scores. Three years worth of data is used to balance out random fluctuations. [When a test administration older than five years is pulled, new percentiles are not computed the test takers’ scores are presented relative to the tests taken three years prior to the date of the administration.] When a test taker requests an additional score report (ASR), his or her GMAT scores are presented relative to the current three years of tests. So, if a test taker took the GMAT test in 1998 and requested an ASR in 2002, the percentiles presented on the ASR would have been for the tests taken during the time period January 1998 through December 2000, whereas on the original preadmission report the percentiles would have been presented relative to tests taken during the time period January 1995 through December 1997.

4. How can I compute the percentage of scores that are above a certain score, say, 600?

Answer:- The percentages presented in Guide to the Use of GMAT Scores (downloadable at left) can help you calculate that. For instance, Table 2 shows that 70% of tests taken were below 600. Thus, 30% of tests taken were at or above 600. Information is presented for each of the four GMAT scores Verbal, Quantitative, Total, and AWA.

5. How reliable is the GMAT? Do scores vary a lot from test to retest?

Answer:- The standard error of measurement of the GMAT Total score is 29 points meaning that the test taker’s true GMAT Total score is within 29 points (above or below) of the score he or she received on the test. Thus, test takers with GMAT Total scores of 580 and 600 may not be materially different in terms of their performance on the GMAT . This is why GMAC does not recommend the use of hard cut-off scores. The average reliability for the GMAT Total score is 0.92 (1.00 is the highest possible reliability coefficient).

6. How valid is the GMAT? Does it actually predict the academic achievement of MBA students?

Answer:- The predictive validity of the GMAT has been established by analyzing the statistical relationship between GMAT scores and first-year (or midprogram) grade point average. Analyses of the relationship between a combination of three of the GMAT variables Verbal, Quantitative, and AWA and first-year (or midprogram) grade point average have been conducted at numerous schools since the inception of the GMAT . The average (represented by the median) statistical relationship is +0.41 out of a possible 1.00. When undergraduate grade point average was added to the three GMAT variables the predictive power increased to +0.47. Thus, a combination of the GMAT variables does contribute to the prediction of how well candidates for admission might perform academically in an MBA program. Other variables such as motivation, time spent studying or otherwise engaged in learning also contribute greatly to student achievement. The GMAT is an extremely useful predictive tool, yet it is only one of many tools that are necessary to make a good admissions decision.

7. How can I keep track of candidates? We keep a file of the preadmission reports, but there must be another way.

Answer:- Management school rosters are sent to your school on a monthly basis and quarterly rosters are sent on a quarterly basis. These rosters facilitate record-keeping by providing the test scores as well as the (self-reported) demographic information for all of the individuals that have sent score to your institution within a month or a quarter. The rosters can help to capture patterns in score sending month over month, quarter over quarter and can aide in the tracking of score sending patterns year over year.

8. How can I keep track of competitors?

Answer:- Annually, your school is sent a multiple score report. This report lists the top 25 programs (based on volume) that receive scores from your candidates. It also indicates the number of scores that were sent to your program only.

9. How can I know which factors are most predictive of academic success in my program?

Answer:- Conduct a validity study. Validity studies are offered at no cost to schools that use the GMAT . The study helps to validate current admissions processes and provides current and valid statistical ammunition to use when you have challenges regarding admissions criteria. See Validity Study Quick Facts/FAQs for details.

The test consists of four sections:

1. Listening Comprehension

Objective: To test the candidate’s listening capabilites

Type of Questions: Conversations between two or more people in academic environments. Short conversations between students, and lectures may be possible conversations. Questions are basically of the who said what type.

Duration: 45-70 minutes

2. Structure

Objective: To check the candidate’s knowledge of English grammar.

Type of Questions: Identify the erroneous words(s) in the sentence. Fillup the blanks using the appropriate word.

Duration: 15-20 minutes

3. Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary

Objective: To test the candidate’s reading and vocabulary skills.

Type of Question: Three or four long passages, typically 300 words long are given, and questions based on the content, intent of the author, and ideas inferred from the passage. Generally prior knowledge of the subject under discussion is not necessary to come to the correct answer; though a priori knowledge may help.

Duration: 70-90 minutes

4. Essay Writing

Objective: To test the candidate’s writing skills

Type of Question: To write an essay on some general topic, and your position towards it. eg: “Is stem cell research necessary? Explain your stand?”

Duration: 30 minutes.

The test was first administered 1964 and has since been taken by nearly 20 million students. A revamped version of the test is slated for adoption in September 2005. This has been dubbed the Next Generation TOEFL and will include diagnostic reports on a student’s strengths and weaknesses.

Currently, the TOEFL does not include a test of speaking, although this will be introduced in 2005 when the TOEFL Academic Speaking Test (TAST) is integrated into the main TOEFL, replacing the current “Structure” section. Currently, a stand-alone TAST is available only as a practice test, which is taken using a telephone. With the upcoming retooled TOEFL, however, examinees will be asked to speak extemporaneously into a microphone; a digital recording of their speech will then be scored remotely. The purpose of the TAST is to assess a student’s ability to speak English clearly and fluently.

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is similar, but it emphasizes British English and Australian English. It is recognized primarily by Commonwealth universities and organizations, but also by many U.S. institutions.

Fees may change without notice. Taxes will be added where applicable. In Canada, add GST/HST (Reg. # 131414468RT), QST (Reg. # 1087967545).

Preferred Forms of Payment

i. Credit card (required for online registration) American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, or VISA

ii. Electronic check (e-check) drawn on a U.S.-based bank

iii. Check in U.S. dollars or any other acceptable currency listed below, made payable to “ETS-TOEFL iBT.”

iv. Money order

Payment Policies

All payments must be

i. paid in full
ii. dated within 90 days of the date of receipt at the Regional Registration Center or ETS
iii. have the correct numeric and written dollar amount,
iv. have appropriate signature(s).

Services may be withheld for nonpayment of fees. If you do not submit the correct fee, your registration form or your request for service will be returned. Scores will not be released if a payment is returned for any reason.

Do not send cash or demand drafts. Receipts for bank checks are not acceptable. UNESCO coupons are not being accepted at this time. Unless an e-check is used, the actual negotiable check must be sent with your request for service.

Paying by Check or Money Order

i. Post-dated checks are not acceptable.

ii. Checks and money orders in U.S. dollars must be drawn on a bank in the U.S. and made payable to “ETS-TOEFL iBT.”

iii. Checks in Canadian dollars must be drawn on a bank in Canada at the prevailing rate of the U.S. dollar plus GST/HST/QST.

iv. The bank name and its address should be preprinted on the face of the check.

v. By sending your check, you are authorizing ETS to make a one-time electronic debit from your account for the amount of your check. No additional amount will be added. If you do not have sufficient funds in your account, an additional service fee of $20 (U.S.) will be debited electronically from your account.

Paying by Electronic Check (E-check)

i. Electronic checks (e-checks) may be used for online payment if you have a bank account in the United States or its territories. E-check payments are processed in U.S. dollars. Electronic Check Processing (ECP) directly debits your checking or savings account for payment of goods and services.

ii. To complete this type of payment, you must have available, or be able to provide, the basic bank account information located at the bottom of a check: bank account number, bank (or American Banking Association) routing and transit number, and check number. Please be aware that your bank account may be debited as soon as the same day we receive your request and that you will not receive a canceled check.

Acceptable Currencies

Checks, money orders, or Eurochecks must be drawn on a bank in the same country as the currency. For example, a check written in Danish kroners must be drawn on a bank in Denmark. Payments at the prevailing rate of the U.S. dollar may be remitted in the following currencies only:

You must submit payment in U.S. dollars, by credit card, or by using one of the acceptable currencies. Payments submitted in currencies other than those listed above will not be accepted and will be returned.

Refunds

Refunds will be made in U.S. dollars. If original payment was drawn on a U.S. domestic bank, allow 8 weeks after your cancellation for your refund to be processed. If original payment was made in non-U.S. funds drawn on a bank outside the U.S., allow 12 weeks for your refund to be processed. Services may be withheld for nonpayment of fees.

Register to take the TOEFL Internet-based test using one of the methods described below.

Online

The deadline to register online for a test is seven days before the test date.

For fastest and most convenient service, register online.

i. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

ii. No phone call expenses or waiting on hold

iii. Instant e-mail confirmation

iv. A valid credit card is required (American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, or VISA), or an electronic check (e-check) if you have a bank account in the United States or its territories.

By Phone

You must call at least seven days before the test date. Valid credit card required. Review the TOEFL iBT Registration Form for the information you will be asked to provide when you call.

* American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands

When registering by phone, you are given a

i. registration number, which you must bring to the test center on test day
ii. test date
iii. reporting time
iv. test center address.

By Mail

If you do not want to register online or by phone

i. Fill in all information on the Registration Form. (The form also is in the center of the Information and Registration Bulletin).

ii. Include payment (see Testing and Service Fees for preferred forms of payment).

iii. Mail the completed form. Mailing instructions are on the form.

iv. Registration forms must be received by ETS or your Regional Registration Center at least four weeks before your requested first-choice test date.

v. If your requested date(s) cannot be accommodated, you will be scheduled for the next available test date unless you indicate on the form that you do not want to be rescheduled. If you choose not to be rescheduled, your payment will be returned to you.

vi. You will be assigned a date as close as possible to your choices. If your assigned test date does not meet your needs, contact TOEFL Services or the appropriate Regional Registration Center within 24 hours of receipt of the confirmation of your registration.

vii. If you do not receive a registration confirmation, you must call the location where you mailed your registration at least three full business days prior to the registration deadline for your earliest choice.

viii. Test takers with disabilities must use the Registration Form. If you wish to pay by credit card, write your credit card number and expiration date at the top of the form. Only test takers with disabilities can submit this form using a credit card; all others must submit either a check or money order. See Test Takers with Disabilities for more information about testing accommodations.

Receiving and Understanding Your Scores

Your TOEFL test payment entitles you to

i. one printed examinee’s score record

ii. up to four official score reports that ETS will send directly to the institutions or agencies you designate when registering for the test

Score recipients can be added or deleted online up until 10 p.m., Eastern Time (New York) on the day prior to the test date. ETS will send an examinee score record to you and official score reports to institutions 15 business days after you take the test. The printed score report that is mailed to you will contain all of the final section scores as well as your total score.

For the Internet-based test, you will receive four section scores and a total score:

i. Reading (0-30)
ii. Listening (0-30)
iii. Speaking (0-30)
iv. Writing (0-30)

v. Total Score (0-120)

In addition to numeric scores, your examinee score record also includes performance feedback that indicates your performance level and a description of the kinds of tasks that test takers within the reported range can typically do. Your scores are based on your performance on the questions in the test. You must answer at least one question in each Reading and Listening section, write at least one essay, and complete at least one Speaking task to receive an official score report.

Timeframe for Valid Scores

i. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date.

ii. If it has been more than two years since you last took TOEFL, you must take it again to have scores reported.

Canceling TOEFL Scores

At the end of the test session, you are given the option to cancel your scores. Consider very carefully before canceling your scores. If you do cancel your scores, they will NOT be reported to you or any institutions, and no refund will be made.

If you cancel your scores, you may have them reinstated, provided that your request is received at ETS within 10 days of your test date.

You may reinstate your scores by contacting TOEFL Services by

i. By Phone
1-877-863-3546 - United States, U.S. Territories,* and Canada
1-609-771-7100 - all other locations

ii. By Fax
1-609-771-7500

iii. By Mail

TOEFL Services
Educational Testing Service
PO Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 USA

The fee for reinstatement is $20. Your request should include your name

i. date of birth
ii. daytime phone number
iii. registration number
iv. payment (see Acceptable Forms of Payment).

Scores are reinstated and reported online about two weeks after your request is received. Your score report is mailed shortly thereafter.

*American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

1. What is SAT?

The SAT (technically known as the SAT I) is a general test of verbal and quantitative reasoning accepted for U. S. college admissions. The test is required for admission to undergraduate programs of most US universities. Many universities also require you to take SAT-II tests.

SAT-I : Reasoning Test The SAT-I is a three hour, primarily multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities that develop over time. Most colleges require SAT-I scores for admission.

SAT-II : Subject Tests The SAT-II subject tests are one hour, primarily multiple-choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. Many universities may require you to take this along with SAT-I.

2. Who administers the SAT?

The SAT is developed and administered by the US-based “College Entrance Examination Board”. This implies that Collegeboard sets the questions, conducts the test, and sends each examinee the score report.

In India, SAT is conducted at the following cities: Bangalore, Calcutta, Cochin, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kodaikanal, Mumbai, Mussoorie, New Delhi, and Pune.

3. When is the SAT held?

SAT is held about 6-7 times a year. The 2003-2004 testing calendar is displayed here.

Eligibility and Fees

Anyone and everyone interested is eligible for taking the SAT. The SAT test scores are valid for Five years, i.e., most universities accept scores up to five years old.

Test fees for SAT for Indian students:

SAT FEE

SAT Subject Tests

Mode of payment:

1. Credit Card - Visa, Mastercard or American Express
2. Bank Draft (Dollar Draft, not Indian Rupees)
3. Check Drawn on a U.S. Bank
4. United States Postal Service Money Order
5. International Money Order
6. UNESCO Coupon
7. Postal Reply Coupon

4. How to Apply for SAT?

There are three common ways of registering for SAT:

1. By mail: Obtain the “SAT Information Bulletin” available free with USEFI offices or from collegeboard website.

Fill in the form, get the draft made (if you are not paying by credit card), and use the envelope provided with the form to mail these to:

College Board SAT Program
Princeton, NJ 08541,
USA

2. Online Registration (Credit Card required): Fill up the form online and mention your credit card number. This is the easiest way to register for SAT.

5. Content and Format of the SAT

SAT-I

The SAT-I is a three hour exam, divided into seven sections. The following table gives out the format of the SAT-I :

SAT-II: Subject Tests

Writing, Literature, American History and Social Studies, World History, Math IC, Math IIC, Biology, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, Chinese Listening, French Reading, French Listening, German Reading, German Listening, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese Listening, Korean Listening, Latin, Spanish Listening, Spanish Reading, English Language Proficiency

Reporting the Scores

Collegeboard has the provision of reporting your SAT scores to a maximum of four universities of your choice, the cost of which is built into the SAT fee you pay. You have to mention the universities to which you want to send the scores in the SAT application form. This implies that even before taking the SAT, you need to do some homework on which universities youre finally going to apply, based on the score that you expect to attain. For reporting to each additional university, the Collegeboard charges you $6.50 (approx. Rs. 280), payable by an international credit card or a dollar denominated draft.

The Scoring Pattern in SAT

The SAT results comprise three different scores : a total score (400-1600), a separate score for Verbal section (200-800) and a separate score for Mathematics section (200-800).

This section gives you the complete information on available test centers and test dates of SAT.

SAT Test Dates

Test Centres