I've been through this dilemma, either taking iBT TOEFL or take a GMAT test for postgraduate abroad.
For easy way, I skip the chapter how I get a scholarship or fund raising for the postgraduate study and focusing on "which one is harder, iBT TOEFL or GMAT?"
First, let me explain what is TOEFL.
In Indonesia, there are many kind of TOEFL, TOEFL prediction, TOEFL ITP and TOEFL iBT.
The point is this test is to test you your english fluency (of course).
So lets get down to the definition (my definition) hahaha :D
1. TOEFL prediction.
TOEFL prediction is a kind of TOEFL that measure your english language in the most easiest way. Usually it conducted in paper based test. It consist of 3 part of test, listening, grammar (sentence correction) and reading passage (the cheapest package)
In some english langage center, it cost you Rp150.000-Rp400.000 ($1=Rp9.000-Rp10.000). The more expensive you pay, the more complicated the test (including writing and maybe speaking).
The purpose of this test is maybe for applying jobs or for academical purpose (senior-senior high school level).
2. TOEFL ITP (institutional)
This TOEFL costs Rp300.000, the price rise, does the difficulty.
Not all english language centers can held TOEFL ITP tests because the scoring was dome from ETS (Educational Testing Service).
The test still consist of 3 parts, listening, grammar and reading.
But the interesting part is here, that the vocabulary is one step higher than TOEFL prediction.
The purpose for this test is as complementary requirement for domestic and some foreign postgraduate admission.
3. iBT TOEFL
Well, this is the ultimate TOEFL in the universe, the highest level.
But the interesting part is that the vocab is nearly similar from TOEFL ITP. i said that because i've tried it before. It cost around $160, you can afford it by credit card or from voucher costs Rp1.500.000 (us$150-us$160) which sell by some language center in big cities in Indonesia.
The test is evaluated also by ETS. All result is sent to ETS center and being evaluated and scored there. They will sent the result by mail or email.
This test consist of 4 types of test, listening, reading, speaking and writing.
And there is no GRAMMAR brotha and sistaaa (hurray!) haha :D
Not all english language center can conduct this test. Usually we can choose it, in which center we would do the test when we booked for the test online.
The function of this test is to apply foreign graduate or postgraduate degree all around the world. The test is valid for 2 years.
There is PBT TOEFL (paper based test), CBT TOEFL (computer based) and iBT TOEFL (internet based), actually all of them are same, only the medium of testing is different. In indonesia only iBT TOEFL is available.
So, which test you will choose? And how do you measure your skill. I give you a hint.
I've tried TOEFL Prediction, scored 600. When Im doing the ITP ROEFL, resulted 557 for second attempts. Yeah, my score shrink around 50 points.
And after I try iBT TOEFL, my score is 78, in my opinion, 78 equals to 550 for paper based TOEFL (PBT TOEFL).
So my language skill is still same (at that time). Although I only read and practice iBT TOEFL guide book from ETS in pdf format.
Not so bad for beginner :p
And I almost forgot to discuss about the GMAT :D
4. The GMAT
Well, for me this is the hardest test I've tried, some opinion said that this is IQ test in english. But there is fewer mathematical questions than logical-reading paragraph questions like in Indonesian regular IQ test.
I've tried paperbased GMAT and scored 290, 370 and 390
Seems high but the smallest score is 250 and 800 as the highest :(
The problem for GMAT, the result paper is just like end of semester transcript print out.
It rewrote your previous test. Of course its good that your score raised, but if vice versa?
Thats a problem for your dream campus admission.
Thats all for my TOEFL vs GMAT blog. The choice is in your wallet :D See ya!
"Most of our lives is a paperless test" Bagus Hariadi.
