English Proficiency Test Arrangements for People with Disabilities

— filed under: Blind, Learning Disability, Deaf, United States, Non-US Citizen, Advising, Foreign Language, Physical Disability

Want to attend a school in the United States? Get the Who, What and Where on arranging disability-related accommodations for the TOEFL, TSE and other tests of English.

Tests are used to determine the English language ability and appropriate placement level for international students in the United States who come from non-English speaking countries. This tipsheet primarily addresses the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of Spoken English (TSE).

However, some U.S. colleges and universities require scores from the IELTS (International English Language Testing System); IELTS provides accommodations for test takers with disabilities and are available and arranged on a case-by-case basis.

Students planning to attend a community college might not need a TOEFL or IELTS score but will instead take an evaluation test upon arrival, such as the Compass ESL test. Compass ESL test includes information about their accommodations process.

Applicants to high school exchange programs are often required to demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving a certain minimum score on a standardized test such as the pre-TOEFL or Secondary Level English Proficiency (SLEP) test. To ensure that test takers with disabilities have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their English language skills, youth exchange organizations commonly provide accommodations informally, bypassing the formal process required for other standardized tests as long as scores will not be used for college entrance purposes.

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TOEFL Information about Arranging Testing Accommodations

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) is committed to serving TOEFL and TSE test takers with disabilities by providing services and reasonable accommodations that are appropriate given the purposes of the tests. Nonstandard testing accommodations are available for test takers who meet ETS requirements.

ETS provides reasonable testing accommodations to individuals with documented disabilities, as recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA mandates that test accommodations be individualized, meaning that no single type of test accommodation may be adequate or appropriate for all individuals with any given type of disability.

All requests for accommodations must be approved in accordance with ETS policies and procedures and must be made on the Request for Nonstandard Testing Accommodations form in the Bulletin Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities (see below for more information). Applicants are encouraged to send questions related to accommodations decisions to ETS Disability Services by email or mail.

Because ETS needs to review documentation in order to approve appropriate accommodations, all test takers requesting accommodations must register through ETS Disability Services. Documentation review takes approximately six weeks after receipt of all necessary documentation at ETS.

Production of Braille, audio, reader or large-print formats may require up to eight weeks after accommodation approval. Applicants are encouraged to complete the request for testing accommodations well in advance of the planned test date.

For detailed information, tips and resources on requesting accommodations and preparing for the TOEFL and other standardized tests administered by ETS, see Resources for Test Takers with Disabilities, or contact ETS Disability Services at:

Phone: (866) 387-8602 (toll free) from U.S., U.S. territories and Canada

(609) 771-7780 (all other locations)

TTY: (609) 771-7714

Fax: (609) 771-7165

Email: stassd@ets.org

Mail: ETS Disability Services

PO Box 6054

Princeton, NJ 08541-6054 USA

ETS Disability Services staff is available Monday - Friday, 8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M., USA Eastern Time.

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Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to communicate in a college or university setting. The TOEFL is available as a Paper-based Test (PBT) and Internet-based Test (iBT). The TOEFL PBT and TOEFL iBT have different test sections.

TOEFL PBT sections include: Reading, Listening, Structure and Written Expression, and TWE® (Test of Written English™).
TOEFL iBT sections include: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.

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Testing Accommodations

Accommodations that may be provided for the TOEFL iBT include:

Extended testing time
Screen magnification
Selectable background and foreground colors
Listening section omitted (for deaf or hard-of-hearing applicants only. NOTE: For candidates who do not take the Listening section of the test, no listening or total score will be reported. Structure and Reading section scores will be reported.)
Speaking section omitted
Additional rest breaks
Writer/recorder of answers
Test reader
Sign language interpreter for spoken directions only
Oral interpreter for spoken directions only
Kensington Trackball mouse
Quill mouse
IntelliKeys keyboard
Ergonomic keyboard
Keyboard with touchpad

Accommodations that may be provided for the TOEFL PBT include:

Extended testing time

Additional rest breaks
Writer/recorder of answers
Test reader
Audio recording
Sign language interpreter (for spoken directions only)
Perkins Brailler®
Braille slate and stylus
Printed copy of spoken directions
Oral interpreter
Braille test
Large print (16 pt.)
Large print answer sheet
Listening section omitted (for deaf or hard-of-hearing applicants only. NOTE: For candidates who do not take the Listening section of the test, no listening or total score will be reported. Structure and Reading section scores will be reported.)

If you are not sure whether the accommodation(s) you need is available for the TOEFL Internet-based or Paper-based Test, please contact ETS Disability Services.

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Test of Spoken English

The Test of Spoken English™ (TSE®), the most widely used assessment of spoken English worldwide, measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to communicate effectively. The test is used for employment, graduate assistantships, licensure, and certification purposes.

Extended testing time (All tests are timed.)
Additional rest breaks
Test reader
Sign language interpreter (for spoken directions only)
Alternative test formats:

Braille
Large print (16 pt.)
Nonaudio (without oral stimuli)

Note: If you are planning to take a TOEFL or TSE test, you may want to contact your prospective institution or fellowship sponsor prior to requesting accommodations to ask whether it is willing to waive the test requirement and consider your application based on other information.

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Registration Procedures

In the Test Bulletin for the TOEFL iBT or TOEFL PBT/TSE, you will find the registration form and payment information.
In the Bulletin Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities, you will need to complete 3 documents and include them with your paperwork.

Fill out the Applicant Information form (Part 1) on pages 9-10 and sign the Verification Statement.
Fill out the Testing Accommodations Request (Part 2) on page 11.
Submit only one of these: the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (Part 3) on pages 12-14 (or) Disability Documentation on page 8.

TOEFL iBT Test Bulletin

TOEFL PBT and TSE Test Bulletin

2011–12 TOEFL®/TSE® Information and Registration Bulletin — TOEFL® Paper-based Test and the Test of Spoken English™ (PDF)
Contact ETS at stassd@ets.org to request the screen reader text version of the 2011–12 TOEFL/TSE Information and Registration Bulletin — TOEFL Paper-based Test and the Test of Spoken English.

Bulletin Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities

The Bulletin Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities contains contact information, registration procedures and forms for the TOEFL, TSE and other standardized tests administered by ETS. The Supplement is available as a PDF and screen reader version and should be used in conjunction with the information and registration form(s) in the appropriate program bulletin.

Note: Test takers requesting accommodations cannot register using the online registration system or request standby registration. All requests for testing accommodations must be reviewed and approved prior to scheduling your test. The application review process can take up to six weeks, so it is important to plan ahead. All materials must be submitted together or your registration will be returned to you unprocessed, which may cause your test date to be delayed.

Send all completed requests for testing accommodations to:

ETS Disability Services

PO Box 6054

Princeton, NJ 08541-6054

You will receive a confirmation letter within six weeks if your request is approved. Once your request is approved, you will need the voucher number and information in your confirmation letter from ETS in order to schedule your test.

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ETS Documentation Criteria

Documentation on file for an applicant requesting accommodation(s) must:

clearly state the diagnosed disability or disabilities
describe the functional limitations resulting from the disability or disabilities
be current, i.e., completed within the last five years for LD, last six months for psychiatric disabilities, or last three years for ADHD and all other disabilities (NOTE: This requirement does not apply to physical or sensory disabilities of a permanent or unchanging nature)
include complete educational, developmental, and medical history relevant to the disability for which testing accommodations are being requested
include a list of all test instruments used in the evaluation report and relevant subtest scores used to document the stated disability. (This requirement does not apply to physical or sensory disabilities of a permanent or unchanging nature)
describe the specific accommodations requested
adequately support each of the requested testing accommodation(s)
be typed or printed on official letterhead and be signed by an evaluator qualified to make the diagnosis (include information about license or certification and area of specialization).

See Also:

More detailed information, including ETS's policy statements and guidelines, about learning disabilities, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, physical, and mental health-related disabilities. Printed copies of these documents are available from ETS Disability Services.

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How to Register Using Previously Approved Accommodations

If your request for accommodations has been approved by ETS within the last two years, and your documentation is still current, you may request the same testing accommodations for any GRE, PRAXIS, TOEFL or TSE test during the current testing year. If you are registering for a different test, the accommodations ETS previously approved for you within the last two years will be approved again if they are appropriate for the current test.

To register, submit the appropriate registration form, appropriate fees and Parts I and II only of the Request for Nonstandard Testing Accommodations form in the Bulletin Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities. Be sure to indicate the previous test name and test date.

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Health-Related Needs and Minor Accommodations

Some test takers require only minor accommodations to the standard testing environment because of documented medical needs. Minor accommodations include, but are not limited to, special lighting, an adjustable table or chair, and/or breaks for medication or snacks. Documented medical needs may include diabetes, epilepsy or chronic pain. Often these accommodations can easily be arranged with test center staff, given sufficient advance notice. Test takers requiring minor accommodations because of medical needs must submit Parts I (Applicant Information) and II (Testing Accommodations Requested) of the Request for Nonstandard Testing Accommodations form. They must include a letter of support from a medical doctor or other qualified professional stating the nature of the condition and the reason for the minor accommodation requested, as well as the appropriate registration form and fees.

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Scoring and Reporting

Nonstandard test administrations are conducted under varying conditions and for only a small number of test takers, so the degree of comparability of the resulting scores with those achieved under standard conditions is not always known. In most cases, score reports contain no indication of whether a test was taken with accommodations. In rare instances, when an accommodation significantly alters what is tested (for example, if an entire test section must be omitted), a statement may be included with the score report indicating that the test was taken under nonstandard testing conditions. Score recipients are reminded that test scores should be considered only one part of an applicant's record.

Note for TOEFL Test Takers: If the TOEFL Listening section is omitted for an applicant who is deaf or hard-of-hearing, no Listening or total score will be reported. If the TOEFL Speaking section is omitted for an applicant who is deaf or hard-of-hearing, or for an applicant with a speech disability, no Speaking or total score will be reported. The score report will indicate the section that was not taken by the examinee. No other information will be provided.

Source: http://www.ets.org/

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