The problem with TOEFL iBT
You know what one of the big problems with the iBT (Internet) version of the TOEFL is? The Internet is not always stable. Just a few days ago, TOEFL students in Asia had a lot of trouble taking the exam:
The problem was with the main ETS (the company that runs TOEFL) server in the United States. About 4000 students in South Korea had to wait over two hours for the server to be fixed before they could take the exam. Some could not take the test at all. ETS has had a lot of computer system and network errors since it adopted the Internet-based Test (iBT) TOEFL in 2006. This is because the iBT format has to download test questions from the main server throughout the test, while the previous system, Computer-based Test (CBT), saved questions separately on each computer.
Many students who needed the TOEFL scores for college admission will now now have the scores in time to apply. Some have even urged legal action against ETS. People in smaller towns and cities often travel to a larger city to take the exam… that’s a lot of lost money and time.
ETS said the problem was caused by its main server in the United States and it will refund fees or allow a free retake for those who had to give up the test.
Do you think that’s enough, or should ETS compensate students further? If you have taken the TOEFL iBT before, did you experience any technical problems?
October 12th, 2008 at 3:45 am
I had taken my exam on Sep 28 this year. Event though the article published in 2006, I dont think services have improvd. Me and two of my other friends underwent simlar experiences with errors from the system.
While, for me the questions dint load, for my friend the questions took 20 minutes to load. We have filed a case with ets, but as yet no response.
Lets hope for the best.
February 26th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
It is unfortunate that ETS has NOT eliminated these kinds of problems during the test-taking experience. I guess that is one of the drawbacks of delivering the test via Internet. BTW: Great blog Steve. I regularly refer my bloggers to your site.
June 21st, 2009 at 1:37 am
I also had this problem on 2009 June 21 ,and the whole exam was annuled.I don’t know why they have not fixed this problem with their servers.You know what? Since they’re enrolling a huge number of applicants around the world by their buggy servers in the US, they cannot handle this problem and that’s the way it is!
August 16th, 2009 at 10:13 am
I was supposed to do my TOEFL IBT the 8th of August 2009 in Dubai, they were having some internet problems…..afeter we wait 3 hours they cancel the exam. So far I haven´t recieved any phone call or email from ETS, I called them several times last week but they keep saying please wait we will contact you…..Unfortunately I had to pay for a second exam because I need the results ASAP or the university they will cancel my application for my MBA….where I am already accepted.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:59 pm
[...] official language tests, TOEFL is king in Mexico. Sad but true. And I’m not talking about the oh no the server’s down, we’ll have to cancel your exams for today kids iBT. No. It’s the paper-based version, the PBT, which is the most widely accepted proof of [...]
September 9th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
i had the test on the 22 of August 2009 my friend had theri resulet on the on the fourth of September, but i did not have it till now, my profile on theri website did not show my resulet till now if any one had this problem before and he or she could solve it please write here
October 8th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
This is the most inconvenient company to do business with. Firstly, I register all my information online. Secondly, the website refuses to proceed with the payment as my computer is Windows VISTA. Then, I call the registration center to be informed I have to go to some friend’s house, or to an internet cafe or someplace where I can register AGAIN. After days of time WASTED trying to register, I finally am able to, to find out that there is a LATE registration fee. Again, I call the registration center, and they inform me that they will charge me an extra $60 for my registration. I explain that it was NOT my fault that your system does NOT accept windows VISTA. She then said, they will charge me the $60, if I want to register again. HOW ABSURD! I have wasted two weeks trying to register for a test, and NOW it is my fault… I am REALLY SHOCKED TO SEE HOW POORLY AND BADLY YOUR SERVICE HAS TURNED INTO. A very, very angry customer, who will do everything possible so that my friends and students NEVER EVER take a TOEFL test.
December 28th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Dear all who have experinced TOEFL iBT test,
Next year,I will take the iBT for the first time.Hopefully,I will be a lucky dog when taking the exam.
March 11th, 2010 at 10:32 am
I agree with GFaria, I am also having a hard time trying to make a payment online. I am going to try with different operating systems.
May 4th, 2010 at 10:54 am
I have cancelled my order where my test was scheduled on 10th April 2010. I cancelled on 6th April 2010 which is before the deadline. However, the refund was not credited to my credit card and when I checked my ETS account on 18th April 2010, it showed that the test was scheduled on 10th April 2010 and it was not cancelled. It was a shock for me. I did not know the reason. But it is certain that, I have cancelled it and it showed the cancelled screen and therefore I logged out of my ETS account. When I communicated the same with ETS, I have received a reply saying – ‘Your records show that you did not successfully cancel your registration for April 10, 2010’. What an irresponsible reply? The cancellation was successful on my computer and ridiculously unsuccessful on thier computers? Problem lies within in thier software and Engineers who manages it. On one occasion, those guys did not even know that software problem exists until I brought to their attention. The registration etc. does not work in most popular web browsers such as internet explorer and in recent versions of windows such as vista and 7 which clearly tells that problem lies at their side. On a different occasion, there have been problems while practicing TOEFL online and on that occasion, my internet connection speed was blamed which is again a ridiculous explanation.
Satya
July 6th, 2010 at 1:55 am
Hi I got my toefl score.. Last week but I’m not not sure about the score I feel something wrong… I’m pretty sure that I did well ESP in the writing section I followed exactly the same method that I did in the first time ” I repeated the test twice” so first time I scored 20 in the writing and the second time 15!! How come I got this score and I was following the same method or template that I learned from the toefl books.. Is there is any chance or a way that I ask them to reconsider my scores again? I feel something going on.. Or this score is final!
July 12th, 2010 at 3:05 am
I am also very angry…
When I was taking the TOEFL test, my computer crashed and my test was postponed. They sent me e-mail saying I can get fre retest but they didn’t explain how that works!! I conntacted them several times after that but with no response…
July 30th, 2010 at 9:09 am
I had taken my exam on May 22 this year. i need the result for this Sept. intake but unfortunate I’ve not been able to view my result and there is no response from ETS.
please what should i do or what’s d solution ?
December 27th, 2010 at 3:56 am
Sadly this is where IELTS will ALWAYS be superior! TOEFL being CTS, being American tries to use fancy technology to do things and it never turns out as good as expected. Globally IELTS is still emperor while TOEFL in all its variations still remains, little one and is fast challenged by PETS, Verison test etc… Which are becoming more favourable and have been commented on as being far more stable and reliable than TOEFL. CTS has really pulled a bummer here, which is a shame because TOEFL pbt actually was a damn good idea but its being phased out.
January 21st, 2011 at 10:01 pm
ETS really is pain in the A$%$. It’s a milking cow especially for foreigners who use it to work, study abroad. The scoring in speaking part is really unreliable, i did mine and just scored 24 in that part, while my friend, who honestly told me he was muttering during the test got 26. Isn’t it bad?
February 13th, 2011 at 9:21 am
It’s terrible, but they are such a big organization with so much penetration, and so many different elements make money from the TOEFL, that it will be hard to change.
June 25th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
I appeared for the TOEFL iBT exam on 06.25.2011. While going through the paper I find that in the reading section I could not find any question for both the reading passages. The left side where questions were supposed to appear was blank. Although I completed the test and asked for the scores because I was not left with any other option. I complaint the same to the prometric people in between the paper and still continued with the test. They provided me with ticket number. When I called prometric they wanted me to show the concern with ETS and resolve the issue.
As I already clicked to submit my scores because I do not want to delay my admission process because of this technical problem.
Not to mention it also affected my listening section as I have to go in between to tell this problem as no one appears when I raised my hand.