The Hindu : Front Page : Impersonators available for TOEFL

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Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009
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Impersonators available for TOEFL

Rs. 30,000 and above will fetch premium scores
‘Malpractice done in connivance with centres’

HYDERABAD: After giving attendance by proxy in the colleges, students seem to be extending the practice to tests that play an important role in their entry into foreign universities. If some students are to be believed, impersonation is on the rise in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and premium scores are available for a good price of Rs. 30,000 and above.

Services of candidates with sound knowledge in English are being sought by students with lesser skills for gaining good score that is vital for admissions in US universities. For a handsome price of Rs. 25,000 and above, a minimum score of 100 and above is guaranteed. “The modus operandi is simple. Instead of the original candidate the impersonator takes the test and this is done in connivance with test centres,” discloses a student.

In TOEFL, the candidates are only photographed before the systems are allotted and there is no monitoring later. “In GRE, CCTVs monitor the students and since the scores are instant all the info including the picture is fed into the system,” says a candidate explaining the scope for cheating.

“Such a score with decent academic record not only guarantees a seat in a reputed university, but also teaching assistanceship that gives higher remuneration than other unskilled jobs in the U.S.,” says Gouripathi of Visu International.

Refuses to comment

“However, majority of universities accept scores above 80 out of 120 marks.” But he refuses to comment on the practice of impersonation.

While students are not willing to be quoted, even the consultants take the same path though a lot of them agree that impersonation is a fact. Serious students are worried that such dubious methods will not only mar their chances but also project a poor picture of the country on the US campuses. “Let us not forget how people with fake certificates entered the U.S. during the IT boom which later affected the genuine candidates’ chances,” says an engineering final year student.

About 10 centres in the city have been authorised to conduct TOEFL by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) that manages the TOEFL across the world.

Around 14 engineering colleges in the State also got permission to start test centres. The competition between IELTS, another English testing service, and TOEFL is said to be the reason for increased number of test centres.

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