part11:Why is the NABP making TOEFL-ibt as a rate-limiting factor?

[gideyam]

I apologize members of the TestMagic community for my lengthy writings posted few days ago. I am trying to make things short since you may not get time to read and some of us may not have good appetite to read a lengthy text. I personally hate sitting for long hours, which is my inherent problem that affects my performance in the TOEFL-ibt.

Today I am here with two words that I found in the ETS’ TOEFL-ibt performance report, sent to me, added as flavoring agents. It goes like this, “Your response indicate that you are able to speak in English about your personal experiences and opinions in a mostly clear and coherent manner; your speech is mostly clear with only occasional errors……” The over all score was fair. To refresh my memory on the meaning of the above highlighted words, I flipped the dictionary that I have with me i.e. Webster’s New WorldTM College Dictionary, 4th ed. Asthese two words are defined to fit different contexts, I have done my best to pick up what is contextual to the evaluators wording. In the dictionary, “Coherent” is defined as: (1) logically connected, consistent, and clearly articulated; capable of logical, intelligible speech, thought, etc and “Clear” is defined as obvious, unmistakable, and free from confusion. My argument is that if one is able to speak English coherently and clearly, “under stressful condition (the test)” and in a very limited time, then one can imagine how he/she could speak the language under relaxed conditions. Guys, I am not still clear with is needed and why the NABP is making TOEFL-ibt as a rate-limiting factor?

The other relevant point that needs to be mentioned here is the unfair conclusion made by ETS staffs. Whenever, test takers try to be selective in their vocabulary use to express their ideas, they presume that candidates have vocabulary limitations. To me what matters most is whether one conveys his/her intention to others, clearly and coherently. One should not also forget that the words used in the day-to-day communication of pharmacy service are different. Therefore, it is not difficult to envision how rich these candidates could be in those vocabularies. I am optimistic in that the NABP will consider their requirements and come up with a better and objective instrument to measure candidates’ capacity to communicate.

God bless all.

[knok]

I would suggest you all to write your concern to NABP's president. I feel that any letter sent to FPGEC was put on file but I am not sure who will read them and when those letters will be read.

Another option is to write a letter to your state board (You may be disappointed by them since I talked to a staff of the WA state board of pharmacy. She does not even know that TOEFL iBT is part of FPGEC certificate.) If it does not work, go to talk to your governor. Governor has expertise to control the work of state board of pharmacy. State board is busy with the work of issuing license. Having NABP issue the FPGEC certificate for state board helps to reduce the work of state board. The FPGEC certificate makes the work of state board easier even though it is bad and unfair for test takers. Who cares?
Many people want to come to the USA. As long as people influx to the US, supply of pharmacists who are willing to pay $700 for FPGEE do not know that they may spend thousands of dollars for ETS, TSE and TOEFL iBT and may not be able to get the FPGEC certificate. They may lose their pharmacy career over here.

Second option is to send your concern to your Senator. Senator was elected and is acting as a legislator of your state, which has authority to change policy.

The best option is to get a lawyer and ask for justice.

Good luck.

[aymanph]

Hi all,
I would to like to share my experience hoping it might be useful for someone in the stressfull situation of going through Toefl ibt.
I took the exam 3 times ,1st timee I got GOOD grade in 2 out of the 3 speaking sections and 1 FAIR ,my score was 24
second time I got 2 FAIR and 1 GOOD, and the score was 23
third time I got 2 FAIR and 1 GOOD,and the score was 26 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
how did this happen I'm not 100% sure but the only thing I did different was that I did NOT DIRECT THEM TO SEND THE REPORT TO NABP, in other words I ddint choose the recepient to be FPGEC, If one to persume that any bad intentions are involved and the whole issue of the testing process is about making money and minimizing canditates from getting a fair chance, I think my case would be a good example, but again one could never be sure
if one of u guys having difficulty try this point and it works for him/her por favor, El Señor let me know

[gideyam]

Hi ……
Thank you for sharing us with this information. It is a typical example that shows how the ETC’s scoring process is unpredictable and flawed. This conveys the message that your score heavily depends not on your performance but on chance. No matter how much you get prepared your score is determined by individual(s) beneficence or maleficence. One thing that I am not aware is regarding values assigned to each part of speaking section. One thing I learned from the report is that speaking 1 and 2 scored together, while 3 and 4 are put together and 5 and 6 the same. What I do not know is if ETC assigns different values to different parts of the speaking test. I mean do they assign different weights to different parts? I wonder if any one has this information. Otherwise your information can be a very good case that we could use to challenge the ETC and NABP. I am planning to take the test for the third time sometime in the future and I will post my scores if I find them to be odd as that of yours.
Thank you again

[gideyam]

The information shared to us by……… incited me to plan to collect similar information on speaking section of the TOEFL-Ibt from test takers. This will enable us to obtain concrete evidence as to whether ETS is consistent/inconsistent when ratingtest performances as High, Good, Fair etc and when changing these into numerical values which ranges from 0 -30. It does not matter whether you have passed the test after several times. The information can help other friends who do not pass or for those who are .taking the test in future. You can use following table or other form if you think is a better way of presenting it. Once I obtain the information, I will try to compile them together and share the information with you so that we can plan on next steps.

Thank you

Date of test
Rate (High, Good, Fair, Low etc)
Over all Test Score

1 and 2
3 and 4
5 and 6

[knok]

Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.

The organization is ETS, not ETC though. Please forward the survey to as many sources as possible since we need evidence to prove the case.

[gideyam]

Hi Knok:
Thank you for the correction and I would like to take this opportunity to inform other readers of my previous postings that it was by mistake I used ETC instead of ETS.
Yesterday, I tried to post information regarding the scoring of TOEFL-ibt. However, the table that I created using MS word got distorted when I post it on the webpage. So would you please, give me information if it is possible to create the table on the website itself and post it without being distorted? I like your idea that the idea of the survey should also be posted on other websites who have users of the same interest. This may help obtain as much information as possible. To this end, I would appreciate if you can send me the link to other websites.
Thank you

[knok]

You need to put in word process and attach to testmagic. Unfortunately, members who have less than 100 posts cannot open the file.

I am sorry that we cannot post the table directly to the board.
Some people are members of yahoo FPGEE, TOEFL, doctor forum, and others. Please post the links of survey to other test takers who are not pharmacists too. Thanks.