THE PERFORMANCE OF NON‐NATIVE SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH ON TOEFL AND VERBAL APTITUDE TESTS

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study examined the performance of two groups of non‐native English speakers on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and an appropriate verbal aptitude test. One group of graduate applicants took both TOEFL and the verbal section of the Aptitude Test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Another group of undergraduate applicants took TOEFL, the verbal section of the College Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), and the Test of Standard Written English (TSWE). Data are presented showing how native and non‐native speakers compare on each set of tests. Information is also provided to aid in interpreting test results for non‐native speakers who have taken both types of test. The appendix to the report summarizes item reviews, by specialists in English as a Second Language, which suggest future directions for TOEFL test development.