TOEFL iBT Home Edition

What is TOEFL iBT Home Edition?

Students who want to study in English-speaking nations are required to take the TOEFL exam to demonstrate their level of English proficiency. ETS developed the TOEFL iBT home edition in response to COVID-19 to enable test-takers to take the exam from the comfort of their homes.

The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is the same TOEFL iBT test that people would take at a test center, except that it is administered in the comfort of the test taker's home and is overseen online by a human proctor. Universities all over the world rely on and accept it. The TOEFL test format for the home version consists of TOEFL Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. 

What are the Mandatory Requirements for TOEFL iBT Home Edition?

Equipment

Computer:

1. Either a laptop or a desktop (mobile device or tablet is not allowed).
2. A licensed operating system that has been approved.
3. MAC®: Mac OS X® 10.5 or higher (10.13 High Sierra® is advised).
4. Only one screen or a monitor is allowed; dual screens or multiple monitors are not allowed.
5. Firefox® or Chrome™ browser.
6. PC: Windows® operating system, versions 10 or 8.

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Browser download and equipment check:

1. The computer individuals will use for the test should have the ETS Secure Test Browser downloaded and installed. Users must run the file upon downloading it to finish installing the browser. Once they see the following notification, they can close the browser: "Success! You have installed the ETS secure test browser."
2. Then the candidates must download the Windows and the MAC versions, respectively. 
3. They must run the ProctorU Equipment Check on the computer used for the test.
4. The test delivery software may be affected by firewalls and security applications on computers. To avoid this problem during the test, individuals might need to disable or reconfigure their applications.

Camera:

It could be either the computer's built-in camera or a separate webcam. Before the test, individuals must be able to move the camera around to give the proctor a full 360-degree view of the space or the room, such as the tabletop surface. 

Microphone:

To speak with the proctor, candidates are advised to use an external or internal microphone that is not a headset component.

Speaker:

To hear the proctor, candidates are advised to use an external or internal speaker. Earphones and headsets are not permitted.

Environment and testing space

Tabletop and seating:

1. Individuals must have a desk or other tabletop surface where their computer and keyboard are positioned.
2. Candidates must place their table and chair, so the room's door is visible to the proctor. They might be asked to do this at check-in by the proctor.
3. All objects not authorized for use at the time of the test, such as cell phones (except for check-in), notes, cameras, and study abroad materials, must be kept off the tabletop and the surrounding area. There is no need to take out the room's furniture or décor.
4. Individuals are required to sit in a standard chair. They are not permitted to sit or lie on a couch, bed, or overstuffed chair. Drinks and food are not permitted at the time of the test.

TOEFL iBT Home Edition: Test from Home!

Clothing and appearance:

1. Throughout the test, candidates' faces and ears cannot be hidden by hair, hat, or anything else. If their ears are visible during the test, they may wear a religious head covering. Face masks are prohibited during check-in and the entire at-home testing session.
2. For the test, wearing appropriate attire is necessary. The proctor will keep an eye on the candidates through a camera, and the organizations that obtain their scores will also have access to their photos. 
3. Before reporting for the exam, individuals must take off all jewelry, headphones, face masks, smartwatches, tie clips, ornate clips, cuff links, combs, headbands, barrettes, and other hair accessories. Both the wedding and engagement rings do not need to be taken off.

Privacy:

At the time of the test, individuals must be alone in a room with no other people. The test cannot be taken in a public area like an internet café, park, or restaurant. Before starting the test, individuals are required to close every door in the room.

Note-taking materials

For reasons of security, individuals are not permitted to take notes on regular paper. They may use a relatively small desktop whiteboard with an erasable marker to take notes.

No pencils or pens are allowed, or erasable markers on one sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector. They must prove to the proctor that all notes have been erased when the test is finished.

What to Expect When You Test At Home?

Candidates must address any issues before the test session starts. All browsers and programs not required for the test must be closed. They must ensure that no other internet-using devices in the home are operating. The check-in should be done appropriately.

They must ensure they are appropriately dressed and that the testing area complies with all environmental requirements. They must speak aloud and wave to the camera to alert the proctor if they encounter technical issues during the test. Candidates are required to follow all test guidelines. If not, the test may be canceled, and the TOEFL test fee will not be paid back.

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