TOEFL Takers Get Angry Over Poor System
By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
A number of TOEFL applicants could not take the test due to technical setbacks of the test organizer Educational Testing Services (ETS).
About 4,000 people applied for the test, which started from 10 a.m. at about 50 test spots nationwide. Most of the test takers were asked to wait for the disconnected server to be rectified after it was down for one-two hours.
It is the first time that all test rooms were simultaneously disconnected from the main server in the United States, although ETS has often troubled TOEFL takers before.
ETS has been plagued by computer system errors since it adopted Internet-based Test (iBT) TOEFL, which is short for Test of English as a Foreign Language, in 2006. This is because the iBT format has to download test questions from the main server in real time, while the previous system, Computer-based Test (CBT), saved questions separately on each computer.
A 23-year-old student, who is preparing for overseas studies, said, ``I had to wait more than two hours before taking the test, but the test was canceled. It is really absurd.’’
Another test taker, who needs a TOEFL score for college admission, said, ``My application must be made by next Friday. This is really going to set me back.’’
``Gohackers.com,’’ the most popular Internet Web site among TOEFL takers, was filled with comments with resentment toward the test organizer.
Some urged legal action against the ETS. One of the posts said, ``I traveled to Busan from Seoul to take the test. They have to compensate me for all my costs 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.
Meanwhile, the U.S. test organizer has also frustrated many Koreans due to its poor management of the application. Under the CBT, more than 100,000 people could take the test each year as test-takers could take the exam during weekdays but under the iBT, the number has been reduced to one third due to a lack of places with proper facilities for the test.