FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (read before commenting, as there's a good chance one of these will answer your question :) ) 1) What kind of computer operating system do I need? You can take this test using Windows 7 or higher, or using Max OS X 10.5 or higher. 2) What kind of camera, microphone, and speakers do I need? Any kind of built in or external camera is acceptable. With the exception of headsets, any kind of built in or external microphone or speakers are also acceptable. 3) What can I take notes with? You may take notes on a white board or a single plastic sleeve with a single sheet of paper in it. To write your notes, you can use a dry erase marker, or a permanent marker with alcohol wipes for erasing. 4) Can I wear a head covering for religious purposes? Yes, but otherwise, headwear is prohibited. 5) How does registration and scheduling work, and what test times and dates are available? You register for the test through the official ETS TOEFL website. You then follow emailed instructions to schedule the test through ProctorU. Test times are offered every day of the week throughout the day, but there may not be many days and times available if you register very short notice. At the time this is being written, you can register about two months in advance if you like. To see exact test date availability, log in to ProctorU after registering for exam through ETS. 6) How does the ETS browser work, and how do I log into the browser to take the test? Once you download the browser, you should be able to open it, and you should call ETS/TOEFL tech support if you can't. The browser will prompt you for a username and login; your ProctorU proctor will fill in that login for you on test day. 7) How will the proctor connect to me and talk with me? On test day, your proctor will connect to you through a live chat application that you'll be prompted to download when you click to begin your test in ProctorU. After connecting to you by chat, the proctor will speak to you by both voice and chat. 8) What objects are allowed in my testing room? You can have just about any object in your testing room. However, in your immediate testing area (your desk, anything within an arms' length), you should only have your marker and note-taking board or sheet, and your testing computer/equipment. 9) Can I take the test in a computer lab? Yes, as long as you don't have prohibited items in your immediate testing area. (See the question above.) 10) Can a TOEFL Home Edition score be submitted instead of a regular TOEFL iBT score? Yes. Both scores are treated equally by universities and other organizations. 11) I had technical problems and couldn't take the test. Help! What do I do? Contact ProctorU's live chat and see if they can help. In some cases they can, and in other cases they'll refer you to ETS. In that case, I recommend calling ETS and asking to speak to a test-taker advocate.
Hi David, I'd like to ask a question: a student of mine had to reschedule twice already and when he went to check the date, he got the message that the exam had already been taken, moreover he got an email saying claiming that the exam has been cancelled. What could we do in this case, especially that we are in South-America? I'd appreciate your help!
Hi! Will I be able to take the test with an M1 Mac? I have tried to look up the answer on the internet but I could not find any answer! and the equipment test from proctor U says my ram didn't pass the test because it has been occupied for 90 percent, but in reality I have 16 gbs of ram. I am just worried that I cannot run the test properly
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does anybody know a tool to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid lost my login password. I would love any tips you can give me.
I took the TOEFL special home edition and I scored 101! However I have to say that taking notes with a whiteboard can make your exam tricky, because your writing rate is so much slower! So guys, train yourself and try to get used to that: write down only essential information. Moreover, during the exam there was some technical issue and I have to wait 45 minutes between the speaking part and the writing one! And the result was that the exam was interminable and my concentration went dramatically down!
Thanks for sharing this experience, Ludovico! Technical issues and delays can certainly be distracting, but it sounds like you did well nonetheless. And yes, writing on a whiteboard takes some getting used to. For students taking the TOEFL Home Edition, I strongly recommend practicing whiteboard note-writing in advance. :)
Dilly EvGalE thank you for your info, yesterday I chatted ETS about this camera req, they said that laptop camera cannot, and I have to buy camera which can rotate 360, that is weird.. If I may, where is the city & country did you do for TOEFL home test?
THAS SARALAH I passed the exam in Russia. I also asked ETS about camera in the chat, and their answer confirmed that lap top camera would be enough. (At the beginning of my exam I just rotated the laptop to make my laptop see the room)
Guys make sure you have something on hand to erase your notes super quickly during the test! There are only a few seconds time between different listening or speaking parts. For me that was really bad because I missed taking notes at some point while I was still erasing my notes and lost my concentration
Hi, is that a demand from the proctor? Like I must erase everything between parts? I mean couldn't I just get a new plastic sleeve...? Thank you so much.
@@chungrita5213 you probably have already given your toefl by now. But if you haven’t then no, you cannot have more than one plastic sleeve at my desk according to my proctor. And it’s better to erase the notes after each question as each question in the listening takes up the whole page
Actually, during my exam I also had trouble with the recording of my speaking part - the system indicated there were technical difficulties, so support steped in, made me re-do the same question 3 times before they assured me it was working properly. I finish the whole exam, only to find out 2 weeks later (by contacting ets support myself, because they didn't reach out) that raters were unable to hear my speaking session and therefore couldn't score this session, so they wouldn't send me the scores of any of the sessions and I now have to reschedule and re-do the whole exam So, from personal experience, I'd say "yeah, worry about it" if there seem to be technical difficulties with the sound.
Yeah, there definetly are. I did it for the second time two days ago, and the exact same problem occured. Support still hasnt been able to tell me if they have audible recordings or not, and I've got nothing to do but wait nervously until time runs out and I'm ever closer from missing my Masters application deadline, for which I need the score. I don't know if its just my luck or if other people are experiencing the same, but everyone can use my cautionary tale as a reminder to take the exam with months of advance so as not to risk being harmed like me
@@marianabuoro I guess you are not the only ones. Search for "ets toefl scam" on google and you'll be shocked. I will choose a different certification after they billed me without admitting me to the exam, no bill, no e-mail verification, no support other than a chat bot. Just took my money
@@marianabuoro I hope everything will be fine for you! But after this happened to me I researched a lot and read that a lot of times the universities (that they are supposed to send your scores to) never received them!
omg that makes me soooo afraid :( I need this friggin' TOEFL to go to Canada :( idk what to do, I'm afraid of going to a testing center in Brazil because of Corona.. mannnnnnnnnnn :(
I took the home edition recently. A few tips: practice taking notes on a whiteboard. Keep some snack ready for your ten minute break, like a piece of cake or a protein bar. If there is a dip in the internet speed, you might have to go without eating for even longer. So trust me, you need the sugar.
Took the home edition and finally got a 25 on the writing section. Also it is much better as you are not distracted by other people taking the test in the test center. I think the home edition is perfect. In case they decide to go back to the test center I hope they find a way to solve the problem of noises and other people voices that are the major inconvenience in the regular version!
Te entiendo totalmente, yo lo hice y me puse mega nerviosa cuando todos empezaron a hablar me sentí como en la pelicula de Todo Poderoso cuando le hablan todos al mismo tiempo.
I want to thank you for making this video. I saw so many bad comments about it that I almost canceled. I took it May 14th and received the results yesterday. It is a bit annoying to take notes, especially if like me, you have a thick marker. However, if there is not another option then it's a good idea to take this version!
@@muniaferdoushi2168 I would honestly! if it's safe of course. Just because taking notes it's very annoying, but if you don't think you need notes then it's OK. Just make sure you have the right equipment.
I took the test today, went well, no technical issues at all. I was allowed to use A4 paper, no white board needed. I was alowed to have water bottle, a clear water bottle only. I wad not allowed to use headphones, used laptop speaker and mic. If you have doubts please use chat option, ask questions on the website before your exam.
Please everyone be careful with taking the TOEFL Home Edition. I have been waiting for the scores for almost a month and finally I received an e-mail from ETS explaining that my exam could not be scored due to sound problems in the speaking section. I properly passed the sound test previous to the speaking section and ProctorU stated that my equipment worked well. In addition, the costumer support service has been "poor" to say in it in good words. Think about it twice before taking it!
Thank you for your video. It is really helpful. I would like to ask if I can use both white board and the clear plastic with paper inside to take my notes??? That would be to avoid getting stuck when the clear plastic is be very small to take all notes, I need during the listening or the speaking sections.
Can I use more than one white sheet wrapped in transparent paper? Since I make a lot of notes , it will be difficult and messy to keep erasing and rewriting... Please let me know
No no no. You don't write on the white sheets. They will not allow you to do that. The white sheet underneath the plastic cover is just for visibility. The proctor will ask you to erase all notes that you took during the test. So NO, you cannot take multiple white sheets as they wont be of any help. However, if you take the test on the centre, you can take multiple sheets which you will have to submit before leaving.
2 important questions (if these are mentioned in other comments, just inform me, I will find out):- 1) Can I get a big white board, and put it beside my work desk, on another table? and using that white board while taking the test on the work-desk? 2) What is the optimum internet bandwidth/speed for this whole test? As I live in a rural area, and the speed fluctuates sometimes. In any case of WiFi interruption, can I keep my mobile phone to use mobile data using hotspot?
1) While ETS does not limit the size of the whiteboard, it must be able to fit on your desk. So you cannot use a different desk or table. I would use a normal sized whiteboard, close to the size of a piece of paper. 2) You cannot use your phone during the test. You can set up the hotspot beforehand if you'd like, but not in the middle of the test if the WiFi goes down. You can test your equipment here: go.proctoru.com/testitout. And recommended speeds are listed here: www.proctoru.com/live-plus-resource-center#system
Thank you sooo much for this video!! I have a question - may I take notes in the Speaking section (while listening to the lecture or reading an article)? so may i start prepare my answer before these 15/30 seconds?
I took the TOEFL today and they cancelled my exam for no reason...they couldn’t record my voice but I made the audio check and everything was ok.... I called them and I need to wait 2 weeks for an response. Please do NOT take the test at home!
I COULDN'T TAKE THE TOEFL HOME EDITION even though I checked all the requirements. ON THE TEST DAY, my microphone was working perfectly until they launched the ETS test page. I spent MORE THAN THREE HOURS trying to talk to someone. In the end, they said I would need to find another computer - which I did not have at that moment - and to send an email to ETS. It has been A WEEK now, and they promise to reply in two business days... I NEED to RESCHEDULE my test or have my MONEY BACK! PLEASE REPLY! From my experience, there is no guarantee you will be able to take the test even though your PC meets all the requirements!!!
Before opting for the TOEFL Home Edition, be aware that I experienced a nearly 2-hour delay due to technical issues on their end, which impaired my performance and I ended up losing my money. Post-test support was inefficient, and after expressing my dissatisfaction, the final response was that they would no longer respond to my messages. Be careful when choosing this option!
I did the ProctorU equipment check but it gives me an error regarding my operation system. I'm on Windows 8.1 and I am getting this error: "The minimum version for Windows is 08. You have 8.1." Makes no sense at all. Hopefully the support will answer in time.
Thanks for sharing, in case others have this same issue! Indeed, the home edition is more exposed to little bugs like these. But usually they work out.
Sorry, just a question. On the test day, how do I connect with my supervisor before the test? Do the proctor send me an meeting invitation?or will they be there when the test is about to begin? And how fast should I contact my proctor before the test? ( like I take the test at 1pm, what time is the best to contact my proctor before that time?)
Hello ! Thank you for your explanation, it helped a lot ! But I have a few questions though.. How do I enter the test on the day of the test ? Is there a weblink that is going to be sent to me a few minutes before ? How do I show the 360 view ? With my laptop ? My exam is scheduled at 10pm, as it lasts 3 hours and will go late into the night, suddenly I’m afraid that I’ve been played and booked a false toefl test on the internet. Do you think that could have happened ? When you say ProctorU, is there someone I am going to see personally on the screen ? Am I going to be speaking to someone in person ? Thank you so much in advance ! Best to you
Hi. I was going to do the exam today, but my ETS browser got stuck at the Audio Check, the green bar never appeared even though the Proctor was listening to me. We spent 2h troubleshooting and I ended up to having to schedule, since we could just not skip that audio check screen. Anyone else with the same problem?
I passed this exam at home. I liked everything about this way of testing. Except in the last section of writing, i.e. almost at the end of the test mywifi disconnected and my test was cancelled. So make sure your internet at home is stable all the time
BIG DOUBT! Regarding the whiteboard, can I use a big whiteboard as a table in which I can write down everything? The computer would be on top of it but it will be also where I write down everything I need. Thank you very much in advance!
Hi! Thank you very much for all the information. I am wondering if during the listening section where i am taking notes, i can erase the dashboard to have more space. Is it possible? Look forward to hearing from you!
I contacted with ETS and they said this: Please note that, due to the mandatory bushiness closure at ETS facilities as a result of COVID-19, ETS has temporarily suspended the printing and mailing of paper score report for the TOEFL test. Test Takers and institutions expecting scores via mail delivery should be expect delays Seems like we are not receiving our score reports within the next month.
Thanks for the tips, David. I understand that you can only run the test speaker 48 hours before the day of the test. If my computer it's working properly and fulfills the rest of tech requirements on the ProctorU site, could I assume I won't have problems with the speaker and microphone?
That is a likely assumption. But you can also contact ProctorU's live chat service and gt someone to conenct wiht you onlien and test your equipment wiht you. You can even do this more than 48 hours before the test (or less than 48 hours).
@@MagooshTOEFL Thanks David, what you suggested has been quite useful! I've contacted them by the chat service because I had some problems with the speaker (apparently no speaker detected). But we run some tests together and they confirmed me that my computer was totally fine, although not sure why I had that message.
Thank you for the video. It is very helpful.Just a quick question if we are not able to take the test due to some technical difficulty ,do we need to pay again for the new test or just reschedule it?
HI David, I applied for home edition and Proctor U checked my devices... after that nothing happened... nothing or nobody asked me to show the room or movie my camera... what do you think has happened??? there wasn't any start button available as well to start my test... I lost my application and my money...
Hi Fernando! It sounds like something must have gone wrong. I would contact ProctorU directly at support@proctoru.com. They should be able to figure it out for you!
Thank you for your video. Just to make sure, there is a tv in the room where I'm planning to take the test. I hope it is not be considered an unapproved item. In case it is, do you think it will be ok if I just cover it with something. Thank you in advance.
I agree I took the home edition and the only problem relates to the notes and technical issues that were resolved after 2 hours. I still got 94 after starting on a rough patch
Hi David! Do you know if the score reports are exactly the same as in the normal iBT TOEFL? I want to know if it says "special home edition" somewhere in the report, because if it does it will not be accepted by some institutions (e.g. the Australian Government for visa purposes). Thanks for the information, really helpful!
no, they didn't allow me multiple A4 papers, Just one and inside a plastic clear paper wrap ( to work as a whiteboard ) and write on it with markers they allowed me water during the test thou
Hi, they told me that you can’t use a piece of paper instead of a whiteboard. I mean yea it’s was a mistake to rely on a old video, but I can say that I probably lost a chance to get in a university that I want.
I take the test in a couple of hours and I'm worried I never received an email from Proctor U. Is this normal? I don't know the password to the Proctor U account. Help!
David, I have a question, I usually fill up the whole paper for each listening part, is it possible to have multiple papers and then clean them all together at the end of the test? I'm afraid cleaning will take my test time :/
Hey I just completed the exam. I am 100% sure I clicked report scores after seeing my unofficial scores but how do I check that my scores have been reported successfully?
David, thanks for the explanation. Would you please talk about the camera? Laptops come with camera, yet the visual angle is limited, plus the are fixed and do not rotate. What happens in this case?
Hi. Can you please tell me is it for sure we cannot drink any water during the whole test session? Or are we at least allowed for any break for that? It sounds so stressful not having any water to drink during nearly 3hr-long test : (
Thanks ! This was very helpful ! I was wondering if I can erase notes during the test with a separate eraser ? (it is a sponge actually, it also got some words on back of it with a name of the company that made it ) I couldn't find a marker that has an eraser WITH IT like yours, and ETS doesn't mention anything about separate erasers. I'd very appreciate your answer , thank you in advance !
I just took the test. I'm currently insecure about the microphone stability while I was answering speaking part of the test. Do you think that if my voice couldn't be heard back then, the proctor would notify me about that?
Hi David, thanks for the video. Did you just say it doesn't matter if the ETS server on which the exam is running can not hear you, because the mice check in the beginning failed? (4:02) Because I had the same issue with the microphone check at the beginning of the test and it didn't went well. The proctor could hear me but the "TOEFL test" could not. Therefore, I was not able to take the exam and it got cancelled by the proctor on test day. Can you please give me some more information about that? I figured the TOEFL test needs to hear me as well, how would they record my voice if the mice check in the beginning fails? Thank you for helping me. I also spoke to ETS but test taker advocates actually are only reachable via mail and only answer very late and with poor answers. Plus, I also had a lot of trouble rebooking after that and the test taker advocacy did not help at all. How exactly did they help you? And how did you manage to speak to them in person? I only spoke to them via mail.
thanks for your video and i have a question to ask. The room which i suppose to take the test is a server room. It is the only lockable room with fast internet. There is only a server rack and a few cartons in the room. So, can I take the test in the server room?
Hi everyone! I have a question concerning the Speaking Tasks: Is it in any way relevant to look at the camera while talking? Or is it not recorded? If it is evaluated, one cannot look at one's notes all the times :-D Can anyone help me out there? Thank you in advance :-)
I just watched an instructional video on their website and they totally discourage it. They tell you to carry out your necessities during the 10 minute break.
Hi Leonel! You have to call (or email) ETS directly and ask them specifically to speak with a test taker advocate. Then the advocate should be able to help! :)
Are we allowed to project our laptop screen onto a monitor? Since I have a 13" inch, I would like to project it on my monitor. Also, how many sheets are we allowed to have at once?
in the listening section of toefl special home edition, do we first take all notes of the conversations and then answer the questions or listen to a conversation and answer the questions of that conversation and so on? please do reply
Listen to one conversation and take notes - answer some questions, Listen to the second conversation and take notes - answer questions for the second one and so on :-)
Hi I want to know if I accidentally click on the red cross button after finishing all the test and it said you provoke the proctor. Is there any problem with that or it doesn’t matter?
I am applying for toefl at home. The thing is I am staying out of India right now and the address which I have filled in ets website is my Indian permanent address. When I move forward to pay fees, it shows me fees according to India, and not the place where I am actually staying. So I want to know can I take exam with my permanent address being in India and I staying outside India during the exam?
Hi Aziz! So there are many unique situations that arise due to covid. Your best option will be to contact ETS directly and see what they can do. Here is a place you might start! www.ets.org/toefl/contact/test-takers/
I don't feel like putting on a shirt and jeans, specially where I live. Is it ok if I have a T-shirt and shorts? I mean, would it be acceptable? Or should I preferably use, like, a long sleeve shirt and pants?
I took the exam a couple of days ago ( not yet 6 ). I reported the scores and went to check my ETS account .On my account , the status of my account appears " to be scheduled ". Whereas on my ProctorU account it appears " Session completed successfully ". Is this normal ? Will the ETS account be updated after the complete results are out ?
Yes u can. I did not had a second security check. Tray to give the test at home . It is much more better than being in room with other people. No noises around .
I need your help. I supposed to take my TOEFL test home edition, i took the reading and listening parts but after the 10 m break an error appeared and I couldn’t take the speaking and the writing , the proctor reported the problem to ETS and he said the ETS may send me an email to reschedule the speaking and the writing.BUT TILL NOW I RECEIVE NOTHING WHAT SHOULD I DO TO COMPLETE MY EXAM HELP ME PLEASE!
Can I erase my notes in between lectures? I took a bunch of notes during the practice tests and will probably use one page per lecture (listening part)
Amazing video!!! Thanks!!!! Have a question 🙏... How do they recognize that the one who is doing the exam is really you, do they have software that recognizes faces? Thankkkkkyouuuuuuu
Thanks for video, would be better if u give more information about how many times we can take exam per month? Can we instantly register and take the test following day or we have to wait for a spesific time to take test like 1 week or 3 4 days
Is it possible to book a time slot spontaneously? I want to take the test at the end of May or beginning of june but i still haven't booked my test appointment... Do you think it will be possible to get an examination date? Thank you very much in advance :)
I had a lot of webcam problem, I’m pretty sure the problem was on the ProctorU software side. Btw I was using Windows 11 I began my test 1:30 hours after my normal check in time. The monitors were friendly tho
Hello David, i'm about to present the exam but i have. aquestion, do you know if the app we need to install just keep everything out on your computer, i mean like you cant open idk an google tab?
Has anybody scheduled their special home edition test in the last couple of days? Is ETS still accepting registrations? I tried using my debit card, credit card, paypal but I couldn't place my order.
There were many books in the room! Including the ETS Official Guide to the TOEFL Test, the Princeton Review TOEFL iBT book and Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test :)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (read before commenting, as there's a good chance one of these will answer your question :) )
1) What kind of computer operating system do I need?
You can take this test using Windows 7 or higher, or using Max OS X 10.5 or higher.
2) What kind of camera, microphone, and speakers do I need?
Any kind of built in or external camera is acceptable. With the exception of headsets, any kind of built in or external microphone or speakers are also acceptable.
3) What can I take notes with?
You may take notes on a white board or a single plastic sleeve with a single sheet of paper in it. To write your notes, you can use a dry erase marker, or a permanent marker with alcohol wipes for erasing.
4) Can I wear a head covering for religious purposes?
Yes, but otherwise, headwear is prohibited.
5) How does registration and scheduling work, and what test times and dates are available?
You register for the test through the official ETS TOEFL website. You then follow emailed instructions to schedule the test through ProctorU. Test times are offered every day of the week throughout the day, but there may not be many days and times available if you register very short notice. At the time this is being written, you can register about two months in advance if you like. To see exact test date availability, log in to ProctorU after registering for exam through ETS.
6) How does the ETS browser work, and how do I log into the browser to take the test?
Once you download the browser, you should be able to open it, and you should call ETS/TOEFL tech support if you can't. The browser will prompt you for a username and login; your ProctorU proctor will fill in that login for you on test day.
7) How will the proctor connect to me and talk with me?
On test day, your proctor will connect to you through a live chat application that you'll be prompted to download when you click to begin your test in ProctorU. After connecting to you by chat, the proctor will speak to you by both voice and chat.
8) What objects are allowed in my testing room?
You can have just about any object in your testing room. However, in your immediate testing area (your desk, anything within an arms' length), you should only have your marker and note-taking board or sheet, and your testing computer/equipment.
9) Can I take the test in a computer lab?
Yes, as long as you don't have prohibited items in your immediate testing area. (See the question above.)
10) Can a TOEFL Home Edition score be submitted instead of a regular TOEFL iBT score?
Yes. Both scores are treated equally by universities and other organizations.
11) I had technical problems and couldn't take the test. Help! What do I do?
Contact ProctorU's live chat and see if they can help. In some cases they can, and in other cases they'll refer you to ETS. In that case, I recommend calling ETS and asking to speak to a test-taker advocate.
What about when it said "to be scheduled" on the test date when registering.
Hi David, I'd like to ask a question: a student of mine had to reschedule twice already and when he went to check the date, he got the message that the exam had already been taken, moreover he got an email saying claiming that the exam has been cancelled. What could we do in this case, especially that we are in South-America? I'd appreciate your help!
Hi! Will I be able to take the test with an M1 Mac? I have tried to look up the answer on the internet but I could not find any answer! and the equipment test from proctor U says my ram didn't pass the test because it has been occupied for 90 percent, but in reality I have 16 gbs of ram. I am just worried that I cannot run the test properly
@@chieh-anyu409 If you haven`t done it yet, close all unnecessary programs, apps, and internet windows before testing your computer.
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does anybody know a tool to log back into an instagram account..?
I was stupid lost my login password. I would love any tips you can give me.
I took the TOEFL special home edition and I scored 101! However I have to say that taking notes with a whiteboard can make your exam tricky, because your writing rate is so much slower! So guys, train yourself and try to get used to that: write down only essential information. Moreover, during the exam there was some technical issue and I have to wait 45 minutes between the speaking part and the writing one! And the result was that the exam was interminable and my concentration went dramatically down!
Thanks for sharing this experience, Ludovico! Technical issues and delays can certainly be distracting, but it sounds like you did well nonetheless. And yes, writing on a whiteboard takes some getting used to. For students taking the TOEFL Home Edition, I strongly recommend practicing whiteboard note-writing in advance. :)
How long did it take to send you the results? 🤔😥
Ludovico Righi I microphone needed?and what if something wrong happened in between the test like power cut?
do you remember any things about reading and writing topic? would you please share here i have a test.
@Ragini Patil Hello, I get my Toefl test on 2 June. There is no score still. Is it writing in your account?
Having passed this exam at home,I am sure that being in your room in silence is undoubtedly more convenient than the conditions in a special center))
Dilly EvGalE Hi, did you use a special camera to show 360 degree of your room situation during the test? Or laptop camera is enough?
@@thassaralah2488 Laptop camera is enough
Dilly EvGalE thank you for your info, yesterday I chatted ETS about this camera req, they said that laptop camera cannot, and I have to buy camera which can rotate 360, that is weird.. If I may, where is the city & country did you do for TOEFL home test?
What about the date selection while giving test at home? Can we select the date according to our own will or is it given by ETS?
THAS SARALAH I passed the exam in Russia. I also asked ETS about camera in the chat, and their answer confirmed that lap top camera would be enough. (At the beginning of my exam I just rotated the laptop to make my laptop see the room)
Guys make sure you have something on hand to erase your notes super quickly during the test! There are only a few seconds time between different listening or speaking parts. For me that was really bad because I missed taking notes at some point while I was still erasing my notes and lost my concentration
Hi, is that a demand from the proctor? Like I must erase everything between parts? I mean couldn't I just get a new plastic sleeve...? Thank you so much.
@@chungrita5213 you probably have already given your toefl by now. But if you haven’t then no, you cannot have more than one plastic sleeve at my desk according to my proctor. And it’s better to erase the notes after each question as each question in the listening takes up the whole page
Thanks to this video I was prepared with everything needed for the test. That freed my mind and I did well ! I got my scores and it is 111 !
How long do you have to wait for the scores?
@@annamaria5196 Almost 10 days.
Did you get the same scores in the listing and reading part than they tell you at the end?
@@larasalah1185 Yes.The scores I received at the end of the test were the same as the final scores.
I am the same person just from my main.
I did the home edition test and it went perfectly well! I was very worried about technical issues but ended up having no problems at all!
Hy did you use external speakers and mic for the test??
@@toobarauf8520 nope, used the ones integrated in my laptop
@@Ninel783 Thanks
Tell me please about the microphone? Is it embedded in the laptop??
@@hibaibrahim7200 Yep, I think that most recent laptops have integrated microphones!
Actually, during my exam I also had trouble with the recording of my speaking part - the system indicated there were technical difficulties, so support steped in, made me re-do the same question 3 times before they assured me it was working properly. I finish the whole exam, only to find out 2 weeks later (by contacting ets support myself, because they didn't reach out) that raters were unable to hear my speaking session and therefore couldn't score this session, so they wouldn't send me the scores of any of the sessions and I now have to reschedule and re-do the whole exam
So, from personal experience, I'd say "yeah, worry about it" if there seem to be technical difficulties with the sound.
Ooph. Thanks for sharing! And we're sorry to hear that. What a frustrating experience! There are definitely risks with the home edition.
Yeah, there definetly are. I did it for the second time two days ago, and the exact same problem occured. Support still hasnt been able to tell me if they have audible recordings or not, and I've got nothing to do but wait nervously until time runs out and I'm ever closer from missing my Masters application deadline, for which I need the score. I don't know if its just my luck or if other people are experiencing the same, but everyone can use my cautionary tale as a reminder to take the exam with months of advance so as not to risk being harmed like me
@@marianabuoro I guess you are not the only ones. Search for "ets toefl scam" on google and you'll be shocked. I will choose a different certification after they billed me without admitting me to the exam, no bill, no e-mail verification, no support other than a chat bot. Just took my money
@@marianabuoro I hope everything will be fine for you! But after this happened to me I researched a lot and read that a lot of times the universities (that they are supposed to send your scores to) never received them!
omg that makes me soooo afraid :( I need this friggin' TOEFL to go to Canada :( idk what to do, I'm afraid of going to a testing center in Brazil because of Corona.. mannnnnnnnnnn :(
I took the home edition recently. A few tips: practice taking notes on a whiteboard. Keep some snack ready for your ten minute break, like a piece of cake or a protein bar. If there is a dip in the internet speed, you might have to go without eating for even longer. So trust me, you need the sugar.
Thanks for sharing! These are great tips.
Wow, you sound so soothing in this video. Literally calmed my nerves. Thank you!
Great explanation, thank you David!!!
Took the home edition and finally got a 25 on the writing section. Also it is much better as you are not distracted by other people taking the test in the test center. I think the home edition is perfect. In case they decide to go back to the test center I hope they find a way to solve the problem of noises and other people voices that are the major inconvenience in the regular version!
Te entiendo totalmente, yo lo hice y me puse mega nerviosa cuando todos empezaron a hablar me sentí como en la pelicula de Todo Poderoso cuando le hablan todos al mismo tiempo.
How writting session and speaking made?
I want to thank you for making this video. I saw so many bad comments about it that I almost canceled. I took it May 14th and received the results yesterday. It is a bit annoying to take notes, especially if like me, you have a thick marker. However, if there is not another option then it's a good idea to take this version!
if one has options, than would you suggest going to a test center?
@@muniaferdoushi2168 I would honestly! if it's safe of course. Just because taking notes it's very annoying, but if you don't think you need notes then it's OK. Just make sure you have the right equipment.
I took the test today, went well, no technical issues at all. I was allowed to use A4 paper, no white board needed. I was alowed to have water bottle, a clear water bottle only. I wad not allowed to use headphones, used laptop speaker and mic. If you have doubts please use chat option, ask questions on the website before your exam.
Lucky you they allowed you to use papers
Hey! I want to ask you if I need a mouse or if I can just use the touchboard of the laptop
Hi! did you need a 360 camera? or just the built-in camera of the laptop is enough?
:
O
Hi Momo, Were you comfortably able to hear the sounds from a laptop during the listening section, without external speaker use?.
Thank you Magoosh Team... Today I appeared for my TOEFL Home test. Your video helped me a lot 😌😌
Please everyone be careful with taking the TOEFL Home Edition. I have been waiting for the scores for almost a month and finally I received an e-mail from ETS explaining that my exam could not be scored due to sound problems in the speaking section. I properly passed the sound test previous to the speaking section and ProctorU stated that my equipment worked well. In addition, the costumer support service has been "poor" to say in it in good words. Think about it twice before taking it!
@David Recine Thank you so much for your help David. I would like to understand what went wrong with my exam before I accept any refund
@@ignasi5607 , have you been able to get in contact with a test-taker advocate yet?
Thank you very much kind sir, i was freaking out and stressed but you gave me some hope... God bless
So glad to hear! You got this :)
Thank you for your video. It is really helpful. I would like to ask if I can use both white board and the clear plastic with paper inside to take my notes??? That would be to avoid getting stuck when the clear plastic is be very small to take all notes, I need during the listening or the speaking sections.
Thanks for your experience! And congrats!
I really appreciate the whiteboard idea! Thanks a lot!
How much time does it take?
Can I use more than one white sheet wrapped in transparent paper?
Since I make a lot of notes , it will be difficult and messy to keep erasing and rewriting... Please let me know
No I askef them. They told me just 1 whiteboard
No no no. You don't write on the white sheets. They will not allow you to do that. The white sheet underneath the plastic cover is just for visibility. The proctor will ask you to erase all notes that you took during the test. So NO, you cannot take multiple white sheets as they wont be of any help.
However, if you take the test on the centre, you can take multiple sheets which you will have to submit before leaving.
2 important questions (if these are mentioned in other comments, just inform me, I will find out):-
1) Can I get a big white board, and put it beside my work desk, on another table? and using that white board while taking the test on the work-desk?
2) What is the optimum internet bandwidth/speed for this whole test? As I live in a rural area, and the speed fluctuates sometimes.
In any case of WiFi interruption, can I keep my mobile phone to use mobile data using hotspot?
1) While ETS does not limit the size of the whiteboard, it must be able to fit on your desk. So you cannot use a different desk or table. I would use a normal sized whiteboard, close to the size of a piece of paper.
2) You cannot use your phone during the test. You can set up the hotspot beforehand if you'd like, but not in the middle of the test if the WiFi goes down. You can test your equipment here: go.proctoru.com/testitout. And recommended speeds are listed here: www.proctoru.com/live-plus-resource-center#system
Thank you sooo much for this video!! I have a question - may I take notes in the Speaking section (while listening to the lecture or reading an article)? so may i start prepare my answer before these 15/30 seconds?
@David Recine can i see the notes to speak in speaking section
I took the TOEFL today and they cancelled my exam for no reason...they couldn’t record my voice but I made the audio check and everything was ok.... I called them and I need to wait 2 weeks for an response. Please do NOT take the test at home!
Mi è successa la stessa identica cosa ieri, dobbiamo rifarlo da capo?? Spero bene di no perché sarebbe molto ingiusto!!
Jasmine Ravaglia I don’t know What to do...
Did you get a refund? I have a feeling they are the biggest scam in the world
same happened to my girlfriend. we don't recommend toefl, at all!
If you have done the test at home, please share your experience:)
My test is tomorrow hehe
@@pragyanbezbo and how was that?
@@marcostorrestaboada5502 It went well actually. I got 106 ( 27, 26, 24, 29 )
@@pragyanbezbo :O Great!
@@marcostorrestaboada5502 Heehee thanks :D
I COULDN'T TAKE THE TOEFL HOME EDITION even though I checked all the requirements. ON THE TEST DAY, my microphone was working perfectly until they launched the ETS test page. I spent MORE THAN THREE HOURS trying to talk to someone. In the end, they said I would need to find another computer - which I did not have at that moment - and to send an email to ETS. It has been A WEEK now, and they promise to reply in two business days... I NEED to RESCHEDULE my test or have my MONEY BACK! PLEASE REPLY!
From my experience, there is no guarantee you will be able to take the test even though your PC meets all the requirements!!!
Thank you David!
Before opting for the TOEFL Home Edition, be aware that I experienced a nearly 2-hour delay due to technical issues on their end, which impaired my performance and I ended up losing my money. Post-test support was inefficient, and after expressing my dissatisfaction, the final response was that they would no longer respond to my messages. Be careful when choosing this option!
I did the ProctorU equipment check but it gives me an error regarding my operation system.
I'm on Windows 8.1 and I am getting this error: "The minimum version for Windows is 08. You have 8.1." Makes no sense at all.
Hopefully the support will answer in time.
They said it's okay and should work regardless
Thanks for sharing, in case others have this same issue! Indeed, the home edition is more exposed to little bugs like these. But usually they work out.
hii do i need moving camera for home edition exam or laptop camera is sufficient for the exam
can you please let me know
Sorry, just a question.
On the test day, how do I connect with my supervisor before the test? Do the proctor send me an meeting invitation?or will they be there when the test is about to begin?
And how fast should I contact my proctor before the test? ( like I take the test at 1pm, what time is the best to contact my proctor before that time?)
Hello ! Thank you for your explanation, it helped a lot ! But I have a few questions though..
How do I enter the test on the day of the test ? Is there a weblink that is going to be sent to me a few minutes before ?
How do I show the 360 view ? With my laptop ?
My exam is scheduled at 10pm, as it lasts 3 hours and will go late into the night, suddenly I’m afraid that I’ve been played and booked a false toefl test on the internet. Do you think that could have happened ?
When you say ProctorU, is there someone I am going to see personally on the screen ? Am I going to be speaking to someone in person ?
Thank you so much in advance ! Best to you
Much obliged!
I could not connect on Proctor U and did not take my exam today and I received ZERO support and explanation from Proctor U
;O
@@marcostorrestaboada5502 today all was great! Because yesterday I sent letters to a lot of people 👌🏻
@@user-bv2ci4nb9g oh, I am glad they supported this kind of things
Hi. I was going to do the exam today, but my ETS browser got stuck at the Audio Check, the green bar never appeared even though the Proctor was listening to me. We spent 2h troubleshooting and I ended up to having to schedule, since we could just not skip that audio check screen. Anyone else with the same problem?
I passed this exam at home. I liked everything about this way of testing. Except in the last section of writing, i.e. almost at the end of the test mywifi disconnected and my test was cancelled. So make sure your internet at home is stable all the time
But what do you do if your test is cancelled? Do you have to pay for another one?
BIG DOUBT! Regarding the whiteboard, can I use a big whiteboard as a table in which I can write down everything? The computer would be on top of it but it will be also where I write down everything I need. Thank you very much in advance!
This is very helpful. Thank you very much.
Hi! Thank you very much for all the information. I am wondering if during the listening section where i am taking notes, i can erase the dashboard to have more space. Is it possible?
Look forward to hearing from you!
You absolutely can erase the whiteboard to make room for more notes. I did this several times during my exam.
--David
I contacted with ETS and they said this:
Please note that, due to the mandatory bushiness closure at ETS facilities as a result of COVID-19, ETS has temporarily suspended the printing and mailing of paper score report for the TOEFL test. Test Takers and institutions expecting scores via mail delivery should be expect delays
Seems like we are not receiving our score reports within the next month.
Thanks for the tips, David. I understand that you can only run the test speaker 48 hours before the day of the test. If my computer it's working properly and fulfills the rest of tech requirements on the ProctorU site, could I assume I won't have problems with the speaker and microphone?
That is a likely assumption. But you can also contact ProctorU's live chat service and gt someone to conenct wiht you onlien and test your equipment wiht you. You can even do this more than 48 hours before the test (or less than 48 hours).
@@MagooshTOEFL Thanks David, what you suggested has been quite useful! I've contacted them by the chat service because I had some problems with the speaker (apparently no speaker detected). But we run some tests together and they confirmed me that my computer was totally fine, although not sure why I had that message.
Thank you for the video. It is very helpful.Just a quick question if we are not able to take the test due to some technical difficulty ,do we need to pay again for the new test or just reschedule it?
You should be able to reschedule, but you will need to contact ETS directly if you do have issues on test day.
@@MagooshTOEFL thank you for your reply.
David, should we use the whiteboard to take notes while the TOEFL test ( home Edition)? Like you show us? Or can we use a sheet of paper forme that?
Thank you for your video!
Thank you a lot for this video !
HI David, I applied for home edition and Proctor U checked my devices... after that nothing happened... nothing or nobody asked me to show the room or movie my camera... what do you think has happened??? there wasn't any start button available as well to start my test... I lost my application and my money...
Hi Fernando! It sounds like something must have gone wrong. I would contact ProctorU directly at support@proctoru.com. They should be able to figure it out for you!
Thank you for your video. Just to make sure, there is a tv in the room where I'm planning to take the test. I hope it is not be considered an unapproved item. In case it is, do you think it will be ok if I just cover it with something. Thank you in advance.
and the thing about notes is kind of harsh, but I hope all test-takers will manage it! :)
I agree I took the home edition and the only problem relates to the notes and technical issues that were resolved after 2 hours. I still got 94 after starting on a rough patch
Hi David! Do you know if the score reports are exactly the same as in the normal iBT TOEFL? I want to know if it says "special home edition" somewhere in the report, because if it does it will not be accepted by some institutions (e.g. the Australian Government for visa purposes). Thanks for the information, really helpful!
Yes it does say that in the test center
did you have any problem with Australian government?
@@paolavalenzuela5804 I didn’t apply actually! But I’ve read some experiences that it’s not an issue :)
Thank you for the video and have shared your experience. During the test, Am I able to have a bottle of water?
Glad to hear it! And unfortunately you can't have a bottle of water with you, but you can get a drink during the break.
so if i understand, we are unable to take notes on paper, only on a whiteboard ?
TIA
Cant I bring multiple blank A4 sized pages with me and use them? Also no water is allowed during the test?
no, they didn't allow me multiple A4 papers, Just one and inside a plastic clear paper wrap ( to work as a whiteboard ) and write on it with markers
they allowed me water during the test thou
Hi, they told me that you can’t use a piece of paper instead of a whiteboard. I mean yea it’s was a mistake to rely on a old video, but I can say that I probably lost a chance to get in a university that I want.
Thanks David!
Can you please show us the microphone? That you used during the test?
I take the test in a couple of hours and I'm worried I never received an email from Proctor U. Is this normal? I don't know the password to the Proctor U account. Help!
Hi David thanks for your information. But, I've one quick question "how is test schedule? is there any availability dates for this month?
@David Recine Thanks David
David, I have a question, I usually fill up the whole paper for each listening part, is it possible to have multiple papers and then clean them all together at the end of the test?
I'm afraid cleaning will take my test time :/
I have the same question!
I am wondering that too
Samee
my classmate did this. he used several pieces of paper, but the proctor didn't check the cleaned paper at the end at all😂
Hey I just completed the exam. I am 100% sure I clicked report scores after seeing my unofficial scores but how do I check that my scores have been reported successfully?
Did you receive them?
@@echonarz yes i did!
@@AmeeraArianna after how much time ?
Is the TOEFL home edition accepted to all of the schools and universities in Australia?
David, thanks for the explanation. Would you please talk about the camera? Laptops come with camera, yet the visual angle is limited, plus the are fixed and do not rotate. What happens in this case?
Your laptop camera will work just fine. You can move your laptop in a circle to show your whole room.
Hi. Can you please tell me is it for sure we cannot drink any water during the whole test session? Or are we at least allowed for any break for that? It sounds so stressful not having any water to drink during nearly 3hr-long test : (
Thanks ! This was very helpful !
I was wondering if I can erase notes during the test with a separate eraser ? (it is a sponge actually, it also got some words on back of it with a name of the company that made it )
I couldn't find a marker that has an eraser WITH IT like yours, and ETS doesn't mention anything about separate erasers.
I'd very appreciate your answer , thank you in advance !
Hi Aizat! You should be able to erase during the test. If the sponge has words, I would remove them. Or, if all else fails, keep a tissue handy :)
is it necessary that the note paper has to be A 4 or can it be any other size?
I just took the test. I'm currently insecure about the microphone stability while I was answering speaking part of the test. Do you think that if my voice couldn't be heard back then, the proctor would notify me about that?
Hey, may I ask how your test went? Just curious, I am going to take my test in three weeks...
You can chose the date and time?
Like after the registration how long is the period that you can take the test???
David Recine thank you
@David Recine i am planning to book the test today is it possible if i want to take the test next week? do they have a very long waiting list?
Hi David, thanks for the video. Did you just say it doesn't matter if the ETS server on which the exam is running can not hear you, because the mice check in the beginning failed? (4:02) Because I had the same issue with the microphone check at the beginning of the test and it didn't went well. The proctor could hear me but the "TOEFL test" could not. Therefore, I was not able to take the exam and it got cancelled by the proctor on test day. Can you please give me some more information about that? I figured the TOEFL test needs to hear me as well, how would they record my voice if the mice check in the beginning fails? Thank you for helping me. I also spoke to ETS but test taker advocates actually are only reachable via mail and only answer very late and with poor answers.
Plus, I also had a lot of trouble rebooking after that and the test taker advocacy did not help at all. How exactly did they help you? And how did you manage to speak to them in person? I only spoke to them via mail.
Hey! What is the schedule of home tests, does ETS allow some breaks? How to go to the restroom?
thanks for your video and i have a question to ask. The room which i suppose to take the test is a server room. It is the only lockable room with fast internet. There is only a server rack and a few cartons in the room. So, can I take the test in the server room?
Yes, that shouldn't be a problem.
Hi everyone! I have a question concerning the Speaking Tasks: Is it in any way relevant to look at the camera while talking? Or is it not recorded? If it is evaluated, one cannot look at one's notes all the times :-D Can anyone help me out there? Thank you in advance :-)
Did you have to buy a webcam camera ? Or just the camera from the computer was enough to them check
Are we allowed to have a cup of coffee or water on the table during the test (home edition)? Thanks. :)
I just watched an instructional video on their website and they totally discourage it. They tell you to carry out your necessities during the 10 minute break.
Thanksss, great explanation
We're glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by :)
The part advocate for the test taker is a lie tho. I had to reschedule and I've been waiting over 10 days to do so, and no one has attended me.
Hi Leonel! You have to call (or email) ETS directly and ask them specifically to speak with a test taker advocate. Then the advocate should be able to help! :)
Thank you!
Are we allowed to project our laptop screen onto a monitor? Since I have a 13" inch, I would like to project it on my monitor. Also, how many sheets are we allowed to have at once?
I took the home edition a few days ago, but on my ETS account it says ‘to be scheduled’. Is this normal? Im afraid I wont get my score..
same to you, I took for week but today my ETS "to be scheduled'' chage to tested but my score page show score not avaliable.
It is normal. Just wait for 5-6 days, after that the system recognizes your previous exam and you can see it on your ETS account.
@@bettybetty7380 thanks for the clarification!
Finally, how was it?
in the listening section of toefl special home edition, do we first take all notes of the conversations and then answer the questions or listen to a conversation and answer the questions of that conversation and so on? please do reply
Listen to one conversation and take notes - answer some questions,
Listen to the second conversation and take notes - answer questions for the second one and so on :-)
Hi I want to know if I accidentally click on the red cross button after finishing all the test and it said you provoke the proctor. Is there any problem with that or it doesn’t matter?
I am applying for toefl at home. The thing is I am staying out of India right now and the address which I have filled in ets website is my Indian permanent address. When I move forward to pay fees, it shows me fees according to India, and not the place where I am actually staying.
So I want to know can I take exam with my permanent address being in India and I staying outside India during the exam?
Hi Aziz! So there are many unique situations that arise due to covid. Your best option will be to contact ETS directly and see what they can do. Here is a place you might start!
www.ets.org/toefl/contact/test-takers/
I don't feel like putting on a shirt and jeans, specially where I live. Is it ok if I have a T-shirt and shorts? I mean, would it be acceptable? Or should I preferably use, like, a long sleeve shirt and pants?
Thanks so much for sharing that
I took the exam a couple of days ago ( not yet 6 ). I reported the scores and went to check my ETS account .On my account , the status of my account appears " to be scheduled ". Whereas on my ProctorU account it appears " Session completed successfully ". Is this normal ? Will the ETS account be updated after the complete results are out ?
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
How is the 10mins break gonna be? Are allowed to leave the testing room? Thank you.
Yes u can. I did not had a second security check. Tray to give the test at home . It is much more better than being in room with other people. No noises around .
I need your help. I supposed to take my TOEFL test home edition, i took the reading and listening parts but after the 10 m break an error appeared and I couldn’t take the speaking and the writing , the proctor reported the problem to ETS and he said the ETS may send me an email to reschedule the speaking and the writing.BUT TILL NOW I RECEIVE NOTHING WHAT SHOULD I DO TO COMPLETE MY EXAM HELP ME PLEASE!
I already paid for my test and i'm having a java script error while downloading the ETS browser on my macbook😭😭😭😭😭😭
Hi! Is it ok if I take the exam in a dining room or a bedroom?
Thanks to this vid :)
Can I erase my notes in between lectures? I took a bunch of notes during the practice tests and will probably use one page per lecture (listening part)
Amazing video!!! Thanks!!!! Have a question 🙏... How do they recognize that the one who is doing the exam is really you, do they have software that recognizes faces? Thankkkkkyouuuuuuu
There will be a proctor, and you will have to show them your ID so they can tell. Same as the real test :)
How long does the Home Edition Test take?
It's exactly the same as the TOEFL at a test center. So 3-3.5 hours.
Thanks for video, would be better if u give more information about how many times we can take exam per month? Can we instantly register and take the test following day or we have to wait for a spesific time to take test like 1 week or 3 4 days
@David Recine thanks david !
Do we need a WINDOWS OS , for running the test , and a separate microphone for speaking test ? it can’t run on MAC OS ?
Is it possible to book a time slot spontaneously? I want to take the test at the end of May or beginning of june but i still haven't booked my test appointment... Do you think it will be possible to get an examination date? Thank you very much in advance :)
Magduschka yes there are still dates at the end of may/ beginning of june - I just registered
@@Adrian77087 , that's correct. :)
Can I use headphones? If I am not allowed, am I going to use just the computer sound? how does it work when listening and speaking?
I had a lot of webcam problem, I’m pretty sure the problem was on the ProctorU software side. Btw I was using Windows 11
I began my test 1:30 hours after my normal check in time. The monitors were friendly tho
Hello David, i'm about to present the exam but i have. aquestion, do you know if the app we need to install just keep everything out on your computer, i mean like you cant open idk an google tab?
That's right, when you have the application open you cannot have anything else up on your computer, so no Google tabs! :)
Has anybody scheduled their special home edition test in the last couple of days? Is ETS still accepting registrations? I tried using my debit card, credit card, paypal but I couldn't place my order.
Hello, I couldn't be able to register for my home edition. It's not accepting my credit or debit card. Did you solve it, and how?
@@burakhacoglu305 Thomas Cook credit card worked for me. If you have relatives or friends having one, I recommend contacting them.
Or else, try calling ETS TOEFL U.S. office. -Much love ❤️, I know how frustrating it is🙄
Hi could you please say the names of the books that you showed?
There were many books in the room! Including the ETS Official Guide to the TOEFL Test, the Princeton Review TOEFL iBT book and Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test :)
Could you please explain about unofficial scores, it is for reading and listening, so is it from 0 to 30, scalaled or row scores?