With global education evolving amid tighter visa norms, changing student expectations and rapid advances in testing technology, The Free Press Journal spoke with Karan Lalit, Executive Director – South Asia, TOEFL & GRE, ETS about the latest developments at ETS, the new TOEFL iBT, the role of AI, study abroad trends, and what students should know before applying overseas.
FPJ: What are some of the major changes at ETS, particularly when it comes to the TOEFL iBT and the GRE?
Lalit: Earlier this year, in mid-January, we launched the newest version of the TOEFL iBT. The test is adaptive, it's more gamified, and the turnaround time for results is much faster. We also introduced what we call MST, or Multi-Stage Testing. This means that the questions a student receives in the next stage depend on how they've performed in the previous one. The idea is to give students the best possible opportunity to achieve the score they truly deserve. At the same time, we've made sure that the academic rigour of the test remains exactly where it should be. While maintaining those standards, we've also made the test shorter and easier to navigate. One of the biggest improvements is that we've reduced the unnecessary mental load on students. The focus is now firmly on assessing a student's English language skills, without distracting them with elements that aren't really relevant to measuring language proficiency.
FPJ: How do AI-based identity checks and in-house proctoring make the TOEFL test more secure?
Lalit: We've introduced the use of a second camera for students taking the test from home. Earlier, candidates only needed one camera. Now, they're also required to position a second camera diagonally to them, giving a different viewing angle. So instead of monitoring the test from just one perspective, we now have two camera angles throughout the session. This significantly strengthens the security of the test because the candidate is being monitored from multiple viewpoints.
FPJ: How has faster TOEFL and GRE score reporting changed the application timeline for students?
Lalit: Earlier, TOEFL scores would typically take around six to seven days to be released. With the new version of the test, students now receive their scores within three days, which makes a significant difference when they're working with university application deadlines. We've also made some important changes to the scoring pattern. Previously, each of the four sections was scored out of 30, giving students a total score out of 120. Now, we've aligned the scoring much more closely with the CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages which is the benchmark used by universities around the world to assess English proficiency. That's the framework that categorises students into levels such as B1, B2, C1 and C2.
Our new reporting scale ranges from 1 to 6. Each of the four modules is scored on that scale, and the overall score is also reported from 1 to 6, making it much easier for universities to interpret a student's proficiency in line with CEFR standards. At the same time, we've ensured that students still receive their traditional score out of 120 as well.
FPJ: Apart from the metro cities, where are you seeing growing demand for TOEFL and GRE in India?
Lalit: TOEFL has always had a strong presence in the metro cities. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai continue to be some of our strongest markets, where it's already a preferred English proficiency test. What's encouraging, though, is the growth we're now seeing in Tier-II cities. Places like Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara are showing increased adoption. We're also seeing strong interest from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana region, including Hyderabad, as well as Punjab and Haryana. I think a big reason for this is that the new version of the TOEFL reflects what students are actually looking for. They want a test that accurately measures their English language skills without adding unnecessary complexity or testing things that aren't directly related to language proficiency.
FPJ: How should students prepare for the new TOEFL iBT?
Lalit: There are a few different ways students can prepare. One of the initiatives we've introduced alongside the new test is an affordable official preparation package. Every student already gets access to two free mock tests. Beyond that, for a relatively small additional cost, they can access 21 mock tests along with around 3,000 practice questions. The second option is to enrol with one of the many TOEFL preparation centres. These centres provide structured coaching, and in most cases, students can prepare comfortably within four to six weeks. We've also started experimenting with free online preparation sessions. Through these classes, students can learn directly from certified TOEFL trainers associated with ETS, all from the comfort of their homes.
FPJ: How long should students prepare before taking the new TOEFL iBT?
Lalit: For an average student, I'd recommend setting aside about six to eight weeks for preparation. That gives you enough time to become familiar with the test format, practise consistently and build confidence.
However, if a student has studied in an English-medium environment or already has a good command of the language, they can often prepare within four to six weeks.
FPJ: With more international universities opening campuses in India, do you see any change in demand for TOEFL and GRE?
Lalit: I was actually pleasantly surprised to see that many of the international universities setting up campuses in India still require an English language test as part of their admission process. So it's not a case of studying in India, meaning you no longer need a standardised English proficiency test. Even if you're enrolling at the Indian campus of a foreign university, many of these institutions still expect students to demonstrate their English language proficiency through a recognised test. There may be a few exceptions, but given the increasing focus on student quality and academic preparedness, I believe more universities will continue moving towards making standardised English language testing an important part of the admissions process.
FPJ: How do you see AI tools like ChatGPT shaping the way students prepare for TOEFL and GRE?
Lalit: I would actually advise students not to rely on AI chatbots for preparing for exams like TOEFL or GRE. The reason is simple. These assessments are backed by decades of research, psychometric analysis and continuous refinement. They're designed to evaluate a student's abilities in a very structured and scientific way. I don't think using tools like ChatGPT or Perplexity alone is going to help students perform well in these exams. In fact, the tests themselves are becoming smarter, and that's certainly true of the newly launched TOEFL iBT.
My recommendation is that students use the official preparation resources and mock tests that ETS provides. Those materials are designed specifically for the exam and give students the best possible understanding of the test format and expectations. What we don't want is for students to take the test multiple times simply because they weren't adequately prepared the first time. That's both time-consuming and expensive. Students also need to recognise that compliance has become an increasingly important factor for universities and destination countries. Preparing properly and approaching the process honestly will improve both their admission prospects and, potentially, their visa outcomes.
FPJ: Despite changing visa policies and job concerns, do you see the study abroad trend changing in the coming years?
Lalit: I think it's important to look at studying abroad from a much broader perspective rather than focusing only on employment. When students study overseas, they gain far more than just a degree. They build international networks, learn to become independent, manage their day-to-day responsibilities, and interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. All of that contributes to their personal and professional growth. In many ways, studying abroad helps shape students into more well-rounded global citizens. Finding a job is certainly important, but I see it as the outcome of that overall journey rather than the sole objective. Students should focus first on learning, developing new skills and building meaningful networks. If they do those things well, career opportunities will naturally follow.
FPJ: Beyond the traditional destinations, which countries are emerging as popular choices for Indian students?
Lalit: Germany is certainly one of the strongest emerging destinations right now. Apart from Germany, several other European countries are also becoming increasingly attractive. France, Italy and Ireland are all seeing growing interest from Indian students. Overall, Europe is emerging as a very strong destination for international education. The good news is that TOEFL is widely accepted across all of these countries. That gives students a great deal of flexibility. Whether they're applying to one of the traditional destinations or exploring newer opportunities in Europe, a TOEFL score allows them to keep multiple options open and apply confidently across a wide range of universities.
