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Language Proficiency Tests
(1) Outline

There is no need to say that you must be fluent in English to study at a university in an English speaking country. Universities in English speaking countries require non-native English speaking students to have a certain TOEFL(R) (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score as one of their admission requirements. The non-profit education organization ETS (Educational Testing Service) created the TOEFL(R) test. Students who wish to study abroad for a long period of time or to participate in study abroad programs (e.g., exchange programs) coordinated by universities are required to take the TOEFL(R) . It is recommended that you take the test as early as possible. Waseda University requires you to have obtained the necessary score more than one year prior to the beginning of the program. You must make application to the CIE in October 2009 for programs starting in September 2010. Therefore, you will not be eligible unless you have obtained the necessary score at the time of application in October 2009.

The Internet version of the TOEFL(R) (TOEFL(R) iBT) has been implemented in Japan since July 2006, and currently it is the only TOEFL(R) test that is being held. The Computer Based Test and Paper Based Test (TOEFL(R) CBT and PBT) have been discontinued in Japan, but scores are still valid for 2 years after the test date.

The TOEFL(R) iBT has 4 sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Each section is given a score of 0-30, and the total score of the test is the total of 4 section scores (0-120). In case of the TOEFL(R) CBT the total score is 0-300, and that of the TOEFL(R) PBT is 310-677.

The TOEFL(R) iBT is held 30 to 40 times in a year on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and you may take it every 7 days. The test centers are mostly the computer rooms of educational institutions (e.g., universities). Some organizations accept the TOEFL(R) ITP (Institutional Testing Program) for their private objectives. Please be aware that the ITP scores cannot be used for selection in Waseda University as well as host universities.

Test results are evaluated by means of a standard deviation calculated on the basis of the scores of all the test takers, and they are converted to scores of 310-677 on the PBT and 0-300 on the CBT. In general, undergraduate schools in the U.S. require 500 or higher on the PBT (173 CBT, 61 iBT). The required score varies by university with ranges from 500 to 600 on the PBT (173-250 CBT, 61-100 iBT). Although the "standard deviation" is often used for the university ranking in Japan, the TOEFL(R) score must not be used to evaluate the quality of universities. Each university sets a score as the “English language proficiency necessary to enter the university and to attend regular courses at the university”. Some universities actively accept international students with lower TOEFL(R) scores, provided that the students take supplementary English (L2) courses as well as regular classes. It takes more than 4 weeks for the official score reports to be ready, so be sure to plan your examination time well. The TOEFL(R) ITP test administered at Waseda University is easier to take than the official test. The CIE recommends that you take the ITP test before taking the official test. (Please take note that the score TOEFL(R) ITP scores cannot be used for selection in Waseda University as well as host universities.)

 
For further information about TOEFL(R):
Enquiries:

TOEFL(R) Department, Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
Tel: 03-5467-5489 URL: http://www.cieej.or.jp/

Administrator:

Educational Testing Service
URL: http://www.ets.org/toefl

Registration:

R-Prometric
URL: http://www.prometric-jp.com/

Fee: US$170 (As of February 2007)

 

TOEFL(R) iBT related sites:

 

http://toeflpractice.ets.org/
Practice tests (offered at a fee)

(2) TOEFL(R) ITP

Waseda University administers the TOEFL(R) ITP (Institutional Testing Program). The ITP is a good way to determine your English proficiency if you are interested in studying in English speaking countries.You can study for the PBT, CBT and iBT test more efficiently after finding out your weak points through the ITP. Please note that the ITP score is not acceptable as an official application document for programs in English speaking counties (e.g., exchange programs). The CIE does not accept it for any exchange programs.

 
Administer:

Center for International Education, Waseda University

Enquiries:

Co-op Travel Center
2nd Floor, Building 17, Waseda Campus Tel: 03-3202-3238

 

Merits of TOEFL(R) ITP
Reasonable test fee: 3,100 yen (including tax) US$170 for the official TOEFL test
Taking past tests (TOEFL(R) CBT/PBT) gives you an idea what the official test would be like. When you take a test for the first time, it is natural that you be unfamiliar with the test itself or the test condition or get nervous, and it does not really matter whether or not the questions are difficult. Taking the ITP will help you gain a higher score in the official test.

TOEFL(R) ITP Schedule 2009
The schedule below is subject to change. Make sure to check the latest information.
Test date Registration period Announcement
of the results
1) Sun, May. 17, 2009 Wed, Mar. 25 - Thu, Apr. 23 Thu, Jun. 4
2) Sun, Jul. 19, 2009 Wed, May. 20 - Thu, Jul. 2 Thu, Aug. 6
3) Sun, Oct.4, 2009 Wed, Jun. 24 - Thu, Sep. 17 Thu, Oct. 22
4) Sun, Nov.8, 2009 Wed, Sep. 16 - Thu, Oct. 22 Thu, Nov. 26
5) Sun, Dec.6, 2009 Wed, Oct. 14 - Thu, Nov. 19 Thu, Dec. 24
6) Sun, Dec.20, 2009 Wed, Oct. 28 - Thu, Dec. 3 Thu, Jan. 21
 

Registration: Waseda University Co-op
Even after the registration period, the Travel Service Center accepts registration unless the test center is filled at capacity.

Test fee: 3,500 yen (including tax)

Students who wish to enter universities or colleges in UK, Australia and New Zealand may have their English proficiency evaluated through the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) instead of TOEFL. In regard of visa acquisition, the IELTS may be required of applicants of certain nationalities. It consists of four sections: reading (60 minutes), writing (60 minutes), listening (40 minutes) and speaking (15 minutes). IELTS is scored from 1 to 9 on the basis of the total scores of all 4 sections. The score from 5.5 to 7.0 is required for admission into universities and colleges of the above mentioned 3 countries. The test is administered once a month. (You are not allowed to repeat the test within 3 months. In other words, you can only take the test four times a year.). You must register one month prior to the test date. The fee is 24,150 yen (including tax).

The test result will be mailed to you approximately 2 weeks after the test date. The score is valid for 2 years (as of February 2008).

 
For further information (test dates, test procedure, application form, etc.)
Enquiries:

IELTS Center, British Council
Tel: 03-3235-8031 URL: http://www.britishcouncil.org/japan.htm/


 
Chinese Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)* HSK Japan
Tel: 06−6857−3397
http://www.jyda-ie.or.jp/hsk/top.htm
Chinese Proficiency Test Association for Chinese Proficiency Test
Tel: 03−5211−5881
http://www.chuken.gr.jp/
Test of Communicative Chinese (TECC) Benesse
Tel: 0800-888-2180
http://www.tecc-web.jp
Korean Korean Proficiency Test Korea Foundation for Education
Tel: 03−5419−9171
http://www.kref.or.jp
Korean Language Proficiency Test Association for Korean Proficiency Test
Tel: 03−3568−7270
http://www.hangul.or.jp/
German Goethe-Institut German Proficiency Tests*

Goethe-Institut Tokyo
Tel: 03−3584−3201
http://www.goethe.de/os/tok/jpindex.htm

German Diploma in Japan

Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Germanistik in Japan
Tel: 03−3813−0596
http://www.dokken.or.jp

Russian Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (ТРКИ)* Japan Cultural Association
Tel: 03-3353-6980 
http://www.taibunkyo.com/kentei/kentei.htm
Russian Language Certificate

Tokyo Institute of Russian Language
Tel: 03−3425−4011
http://www.tokyorus.ac.jp/

French Test de Connaissance du Francais* Institut Franco-Japonais de Tokyo
Tel: 03-5206-2500
http://www.institut.jp/cours/examens/types.php
Diplome Approfondi de Langue Francaise (DALF)* Centre franco-japonais Alliance francaise d'Osaka
Tel: 06-6358-7391
http://www.calosa.com/centrealliance/delfdalfjp/index.html
Diplome d'Aptitude Pratique au Francais Association pour la Promotion de l'Enseignement du Francais au Japon
Tel: 03−3261-9969
http://www.apfdapf.org
Spanish Diplomas de Espanol como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) Seccion Cultural de la Embajada de Espana en Tokio
Tel: 03-3505-8765
http://www2.gol.com/users/esptokio/jap/dele.htm
Evaluacion Oficial del Conocimiento de La Lengua Espanola Sociedad Hispanica del Japon
Tel: 03-3353-0428
http://www.casa-esp.com
Italian Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera (CILS)* Istituti Italiani di Cultura
Tel: 03-3264-6011
http://www.iictokyo.esteri.it
Italiano: Prova di Abilita Linguistica Associazione Linguistica Italiana
Tel: 03-3208-5210
http://www.iken.gr.jp/
Portugues Avaliacao de Portugues Lingua Estrangeira (APLE)
Centro de Exames de PLE
Email: saudade@kufs.ac.jp
http://www.kufs.ac.jp/Brazil/index.html
CELPE-Bras Centro de Exames de CELPE-Bras
Email: celpe@kufs.ac.jp 
http://www.kufs.ac.jp/Brazil/index.html

The above examinations aim to evaluate your language proficiency. If you wish to participate in an exchange program, it is recommended that you take a relevant test well ahead of your application. If the above list has more than one proficiency test for one language, it is recommended that you take the test marked with an asterisk (*).
 
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