[b]一 ETS 暂停美加以外的托福机考，原因参考人数不足[/b][b]CBT Center Closings Outside of the U.S. and Canada [b]Over the next fifteen months, ETS is phasing out 84 CBT centers outside of [b]the U.S. and Canada. The centers are closing because there were not enough [b]test takers using them to offset their cost of operation. To ensure [b]continuity of service, ETS will establish paper-based testing centers at [b]educational organizations such as colleges, universities, schools, and [b]advising centers. Persons with questions may refer to the documents below. [b]The paper-based testing centers list will be posted when it becomes [b]available. [b][b]对大陆一直不实行机考，可能与题库不大有关，加之国人总结机经成风，[url=http://www.gter.net/news/content.jsp?type=GRE]GRE[/url]变为纸考就是这 [b]个原因，而不是因为参加考试者人数不够。 [b][b][b]二 ETS重整海外考试运作[/b] [b][b]ETS To Reorganize International Testing Operations [b]Princeton, N.J. (April 4, 2002) -- [b][b]Educational Testing Service (ETS) announced today that it will reorganize [b]and refocus its international computer-based testing (CBT) operations to [b]increase efficiency and improve access through multiple ways of testing. [b][b]Currently, ETS CBTs are offered to more than 1.5 million people worldwide [b]through some 400 domestic centers and 195 international centers operated by [b]Prometric. Over the next twelve months, ETS will phase out operations at 84 [b]CBT centers outside of the U.S. and Canada. To ensure continuity of [b]service, ETS will establish paper-based testing centers at educational [b]organizations such as colleges, universities, schools and advising centers [b]in the affected areas. Less than 15 percent of international test takers [b]are affected by the change. View the list of affected centers and their [b]expected closing dates. [b][b]These new paper-based test sites coupled with the remaining CBT sites [b]internationally will ensure that test takers in all areas will continue to [b]have access to the important exams delivered by ETS. These exams include [b]the Test of English as a Foreign Language ([url=http://www.gter.net/news/content.jsp?type=TOEFL]TOEFL[/url]) and the Graduate Record [b]Examinations (GRE). The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), which is [b]also computer based, will be offered at many sites as mobile computer-based [b]tests. Less than 1 percent of GMAT tests will be delivered as paper-based [b]tests. [b][b]Paper-based tests for the TOEFL and GRE may be offered internationally on [b]the following dates. Not all centers will test on all dates. Latest [b]information is available at www.toefl.org and www.gre.org. Information on [b]GMAT is available at www.gmac.com. [b][b]TOEFL GRE [b]May 11, 2002 (select locations) October 26, 2002 [b]August 24, 2002 February 1, 2003 [b]September 14, 2002 [b]October 19, 2002 [b]January 18, 2003 [b]March 2003 (being planned) [b]May 10, 2003 [b]June 22, 2002 (select locations) [b][b]The international sites selected for closing had extremely low testing [b]volumes, with some sites operating only a few days a week. "As a best [b]practice, ETS continually monitors testing trends to ensure that our [b]services are being delivered as strategically and as cost-effectively as [b]possible," explained ETS President Kurt Landgraf. "Our research shows that [b]80 percent of our international test takers are being served by 20 percent [b]of our centers. ETS cannot continue to operate centers without test takers [b]to support them, so we’re centralizing operations at nearby colleges, [b]universities and schools. We remain committed to computer-based testing as [b]an effective delivery method, and to providing test takers with access to [b]the exams delivered by ETS." [b][b]"Whether delivered at a computer center, at an institution on paper, or by [b]a mobile testing operation, our world-class testing products and services [b]will continue to serve individuals, schools, colleges, and businesses," Mr. [b]Landgraf continued. "We have enhanced versions of our tests coming out in [b]the future as well as new online services and products that measure [b]knowledge, promote learning, and improve performance." [b][b]"Through the years, ETS and Prometric have partnered with the single focus [b]of delivering the most effective and efficient computer-based testing [b]services available to ETS candidates around the world," said Michael [b]Brannick, Prometric president and chief executive officer. "The changes are [b]in complete alignment with the needs of the test taker and the long- [b]standing and on-going business partnership between ETS and Prometric," he [b]said. Mr. Brannick confirmed that with more than 4,800 affiliated testing [b]centers around the world, Prometric continues to maintain the world's [b]largest delivery network for computer-based exams. [b][b][b]三 关于改为纸考的常见问题答问[b][/b][b]Questions and Answers About CBT Center Closings Outside of the U.S. and [b]Canada [b]Q) Why is ETS restructuring its worldwide computer-based testing operations? [b][b]A) ETS' experience over the past four years shows there are a number of CBT [b]centers in certain international areas that don't have sufficient volume of [b]candidates to support the cost of operating them. [b][b]Q) Will this negatively affect test takers worldwide who will not have [b]access to CBT centers any longer? [b][b]A) No. Although we are working to avoid disruptions, any that occur will be [b]temporary. We believe that geographic access to our tests will improve. For [b]test takers in areas where CBT will no longer be offered, ETS is working to [b]establish testing operations in local high schools, colleges, universities, [b]and educational institutions. [b][b]Q) Is this restructuring an indication of a move away from, or a lack of [b]belief in, the benefits of computer-based testing? [b][b]A) No. ETS, our clients, and Thomson Prometric still believe in computer- [b]based testing. Unfortunately, we cannot operate centers that do not support [b]themselves. We believe this effort will help the remaining centers operate [b]even more efficiently and help manage costs for ETS and its test takers.[b]Q) Which tests are affected by the CBT center restructuring? [b][b]A) The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Graduate [b]Record Examinations (GRE) General Test. The Graduate Management Admission [b]Test (GMAT), which is also computer based, will be offered at many sites as [b]mobile computer-based tests. Less than 1 percent of GMAT tests will be [b]delivered as paper-based tests. [b][b]Q) How can I find out if a CBT test center in my country is affected? [b][b]A) View the complete list of affected centers and their expected closing [b]dates. [b][b]Q) I had a test scheduled at one of the affected test centers. Will I still [b]be able to take a computer-based version elsewhere and where will it be [b]given? [b][b]A) If you still wish to take a CBT version of the TOEFL, GMAT and GRE [b]tests, you may call the Regional Registration Center. Or, you may check [b]under each specific program on ETS's website, www.ets.org. [b][b]Q) I had a test scheduled at one of the affected CBT test centers and I [b]don't want to travel to another CBT site. Can my appointment be transferred [b]to a paper-based test? [b][b]A) Yes it may. ETS and Prometric are working to design the best process by [b]which we can transfer appointments to nearby paper-based sites. [b][b]Q) I'm from an area that used to have a CBT center. I need to test this [b]spring. I can check the website for locations, but how can I get a TOEFL [b]bulletin to register? Or can I do walk-in registration for all the [b]programs - GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL? [b][b]A) Candidates may obtain bulletins from colleges and universities in their [b]areas, from the program Web site, or from ETS directly. Walk-in [b]registration at paper-based centers is available for GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL. [b][b]Q) Will ETS operate its own CBT centers around the world or is this a [b]return to entirely a paper-based process? [b][b]A) This restructuring will allow ETS to have greater flexibility in [b]providing access to our tests globally. No decisions have been made at this [b]point but in the future, test delivery may include a variety of methods. In [b]the short term, we will use paper-based tests to ensure access to affected [b]test takers. Note that after this restructuring, the remaining CBT centers [b]will be serving more than 85% of the international GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL [b]test takers. Actually the reorganization only affects 15 percent of [b]international test takers. [b][b]Q) How can I receive a refund for my test fee if I either don't want to [b]reschedule my test at some other CBT center or take a paper version? [b][b]A) You should contact a customer service representative at ETS. The [b]telephone number for the TOEFL program is 609-771-7100. The telephone [b]number for the GRE program is 609-771-7670. Inquiries about GMAT may be [b]made to 609-771-7330. Additional information is available on the program [b]websites. [b][b]Q) Is this restructuring being done because of customer service complaints? [b][b]A) No. The areas served by these CBT centers have too few test takers to [b]enable cost-effective operation. [b][b]Q) When will these test centers close? [b][b]A) View the complete list of affected centers and their expected closing [b]dates. [b][b]Q) Does this mark an end to the ETS-Prometric relationship? [b][b]A) No. Prometric is still ETS's primary provider of computer-based testing [b]around the world. They will continue to provide CBT testing for ETS in 108 [b]cities outside of the US and Canada, serving 85% or more of our [b]international test takers per year. [b][b]Q) At the computer centers I had the option of handwriting my TOEFL essay [b]or using a computer keyboard. Will I still have access to a computer? [b][b]A) In paper-based centers everyone will have to handwrite their essays. [b][b]Q) What about the unofficial "instant" scores you provided at the end of [b]computer-based tests? [b][b]A) That will not be offered at paper-based centers. Test takers will be [b]notified officially of their scores within 4-6 weeks and should plan [b]accordingly. [b][b]Q) How often will paper-based testing be offered in areas where CBT centers [b]have closed down? [b][b]A) Paper-based versions of the TOEFL and GRE will be offered [b]internationally on a number of dates. [b][b]Less than one percent of GMAT tests will be offered on paper. Mobile events [b]are being planned for GMAT in select locations. As soon as information on [b]paper-based GMAT testing becomes available it will be posted at [b]www.gmac.com. [b][b]Q) If I change from computer to paper, will the cost of my exam be lower? [b][b]A) No. Test fees will remain the same for either method. [b][b]Q) Must I prepare for the paper-based test differently than I would for [b]computer-based testing? [b][b]A) Although both types of tests measure the same skills or knowledge, the [b]test taking strategies are different for paper-based and computer-based [b]tests. You should read the bulletin or visit [websites] to understand how [b]best to prepare for a paper-based test. [b][b]Q) Is the paper-based version of my exam as good an indicator of my [b]abilities as the computer-based version? Will admissions officers judge the [b]paper version more skeptically? [b][b]A) Whether you take your test on computer or paper, the test is still the [b]most effective way of determining your academic readiness. The scores on [b]both types of tests are equally valid. Both versions are acceptable to [b]colleges and universities. [b][b]Q) Will computer-based testing be limited only to larger cities while [b]people in other areas will only be offered paper-based versions? [b][b]A) Computer-based testing will be offered in areas where there are [b]sufficient numbers of test takers to support the operation of a CBT center.