US universities can validate TOEFL scores through Indian study partners
Universities in the United States (US) will now be able to validate Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores through their Indian study-abroad partners. The announcement was made by Princeton-based Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers exams such as the TOEFL and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
ETS has teamed up with Career Mosaic, a student recruiter for US universities in South Asia, for score verification.
According to ETS data, the number of candidates taking TOEFL in India has increased by 59% as international travel has resumed. According to news agency PTI, more than 12% of the total candidates taking the TOEFL exam are Indians.
Sachin Jain, country manager of ETS India and South Asia, said the collaboration with Career Mosaic will provide universities with a “reliable and efficient solution” for assessing the English language proficiency of prospective students.
“We are excited to partner with Career Mosaic to verify the TOEFL scores of US university applicants, increasing university confidence in the scores submitted,” he said.
This development comes as more and more Indian students are choosing to study in American universities. The number of Indian students in the US has increased by a staggering 35% in just one year.
With over 250,000 Indian students currently studying in the US, this trend reflects the search for better career prospects abroad, driven by the promise of high-paying jobs and unique opportunities.
Starting this week, US universities will have access to validated scores. This will greatly increase the confidence of the students on their marks. Furthermore, this will reduce the workload of university staff involved in the verification of English proficiency scores.
Blerina Polovina, director of international admissions and business development at Webster University USA, welcomed the move.
He said the verification of TOEFL scores would help streamline the university admission process, thereby accelerating student enrolment.
“By having validated scores, universities will save the effort of English proficiency score verification, ultimately promoting a more seamless and reliable admissions experience for both students and universities,” Polovina said.
Advanced TOEFL Test
TOEFL is a widely recognized and standardized test used to assess the English language skills of non-native speakers applying to English-speaking universities.
It is accepted by over 12,000 institutions in over 160 countries, including popular study destinations like the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 98% of universities in the UK, PTI reported.
Last year, ETS had implemented several changes to the 60-year-old exam to improve the experience of potential candidates.
These changes included reducing the duration from three hours to less than two hours and enabling candidates to see their official score release date immediately after completing the test.
Manisha Zaveri, Joint Managing Director, Career Mosaic, emphasized the significant impact of validated TOEFL scores on student profiles shared with US institutions.
“This association will strengthen the integrity of TOEFL test scores and benefit both universities and the growing number of Indian students seeking higher education opportunities in the United States,” Javeri said.