TOEFL gets a new format

A new four-hour internet-based version of the Test of English as Foreign Language, called TOEFL iBT (internet based test), is being introduced worldwide. The paper-based TOEFL test, however, will continue to be offered until the internet-based test is made available.
The new format

TOEFL has two existing formats -- computer-based and paper-based. In the new format, changes have been made in the speaking and writing sections. The reading and listening sections remain the same.

~ The speaking section will now have six tasks where the students will be given two independent tasks to express an opinion on a familiar topic and four integrated tasks to speak, based on what is read and heard. Up to 30 seconds will be given to prepare the response and one minute will be allotted to respond.

~ The writing section will comprise two tasks -- writing, based on what is read and heard, and supporting an opinion on a topic. The time allotted for this would be 50 minutes.

~ There will be no grammar section in the new format. Grammar will be evaluated in speaking and writing responses.

All the four sections will be taken on the same day.

Source Rediff

MBA Scores online

The scores of the test will now be reported online. Those who take the test can view the scores, 15 working days after the test. Scoring guides and sample responses for both the writing and speaking sections are available at www.ets.org/toefl

The new test will be administered in secure internet-based test centres on fixed test dates. The fees will vary from country to country. TOEFL is an examination conducted by Education Testing Service, a private educational testing and measurement organisation. ETS also holds other exams like Graduate Records Examination, College Board's SAT, Advanced Placement et al. These exams are taken up by students and executives who wish to pursue studies abroad.

Source Rediff

MBA after work experience better deal

2 years of MBA lectures + 0 work experience = A great job and package.

That has been the equation for management education in India, so far. The result for the corporate sector has been a steady stream of intelligent but theoretical managers. Luckily, this is changing.

In the recent past, India's leading B-schools have introduced a series of programmes aimed at experienced professionals. Consequently, the plain vanilla MBA has given way to the broader field of management education. The content now offered ranges from general management programmes for senior managers to specialised courses like hospital administration. One product of this metamorphosis is N Sunil Kumar. Appointed CEO of the ABN AMRO foundation, straight out of B-school, his case is a pointer of two interesting trends.

Sunil's decision to get a management degree after he had worked for 19 years at National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development reflects the increasing number of people doing so after considerable work experience. After completing the course, his desire to continue in the non-profit sector also reflects the growing number of management professionals attracted to this sector, vis-a-vis the corporate world.

Both these trends have created new opportunities for experienced professionals and we spoke to Sunil to bring you a ringside view of the process, through his personal experience.

Source Rediff

1 Be absolutely certain with your decision to get your MBA and your business school of choice

I'm really not trying to scare you and I don't really mean to end this on asomber note. In fact, most MBAs, including the vast majority of my classmates,are quite happy with the decisions they have made. Nevertheless, there is asignificant minority of talented, well-adjusted people who end up unhappy. Thereasons are as varied as the people themselves and include separation fromfamily and friends, undue pressure to attend business school from relatives andcoworkers, and career choices that do not require the MBA degree. For thisminority, a lot of time and money is wasted as a result of their bad decisions.

2 Visit the campuses of any business schools you think you would like to attend

To continue with my last thought, the interview often presents a greatopportunity for you to visit the campus and speak to the admissions staff andcurrent students. You should call the school in advance and tell them when youare planning to visit. Most schools will gladly arrange for you to sit in on aclass and receive a guided tour of the campus. Finally, do not be afraid toapproach students and solicit their views of the school. Most of the time,students are glad to talk to prospective applicants (remember, most of them werein your position just a short while ago) and MBA students in particular areoften quite willing to offer blunt opinions about what they like and don't likeabout their programs.

3 Take the optional interviews and prepare for them

Don't be lazy and opt out of these interviews. View them as additionalopportunities to present yourself in a good light, and hence, increase yourchances of being accepted. But don't forget that these interviews are alsoopportunities for you to learn more about the prospective schools. Although thetop schools will allow you to interview at remote locations with a volunteeralumnus, I advise interviewing on campus since the alumni are not usually ascurrent with the MBA programs.

4 Don't be afraid to use an admissions consultant

You're about to make a major life decision and tens of thousands of tuitiondollars and years of your life are at stake, not to mention future career paths.You can find a good consultant who will cost you less than you'll spend onapplication fees and GMAT test taking. A good consultant should help youidentify your best personal strategy to gain admission and steer you towards thebusiness schools for which you're best suited. They are also perfect forproofing essays (see #5 above) and they can really help ease your stress duringthis taxing time period.

5 Know why you are going to business school

Be prepared to explain why you are leaving your job or why you want to pursuean MBA right out of undergrad. You can be sure you will be asked this questionat least once in an essay or during the admissions interview. If you are employed and youremployer does not know you are considering an MBA, make arrangements to get areference from a trusted colleague.

6 Make sure your application and essays are immaculate

Often times, the admissions staff reading your application and essays willnever meet you in person. Do not squander this "first impression" byallowing any stains (applicable only to applications submitted via snail mail),misaligned page margins, or inconsistent fonts. These types of things canmake the difference between being admitted and being rejected, so I wouldencourage you to take this to heart.

7 Have someone proof your admissions essays

I can not overstate the importance of having a third party review yourapplication essays. Make sure the proofreader has good grammar and is committedto spending quality time with your essays. Do NOT try to proof your own essaysall by yourself. You may catch a lot of your own errors, but chances are somesilly ones will get by you. Why? Because when you wrote the particularly awkwardsentence, you know what you meant to say. Unfortunately for you, the admissionsstaff is not likely to be as impressed by the unclear and awkward sentence.

8 Prepare for the GMAT and TOEFL if applicable

Don't take this test unprepared. Also, this may sound strange, but I do NOTrecommend a GMAT review course. I took one and disliked it. The course moved atthe pace of the group's slowest student and I had to drive to a classroom when Icould have spent the commuting time studying instead. I recommend buying a goodbook or two and studying at your own pace and at your own optimal hours.
Based on numerous emails I have received, it seems many of you areinternational applicants to whom English is not your native language. I wish Icould tell you something more but you should study for the TOEFL (test ofEnglish as a foreign language).

9 Identify business schools of Interest

Develop criteria such as geography, recruitment, school reputation, tuition,faculty, student body, etc. In this first step you want to start with thelargest number of schools and then apply your criteria and narrow down yourchoices. Although the schools you are currently considering will end up in thenarrowed down list, you may be surprised to uncover some other schools as well.Keep in mind that you don't want to undersell yourself and automatically excludethe top schools. If you're even close to borderline for admission, there arethings you can do to increase your chances. (Read on.) Establish criteria suchas courses offered, companies that recruit at the school, opportunities forinternships, study abroad, etc.

10 Research post MBA career opportunities and business schools

First make sure you know why you want to go to school and have a clear ideaof what you may want to do when you graduate. Often times, as in college, yourcareer goals will change. However, you are about to make a big investment ofyour time and money, so make sure you give your decision the proper amount ofthought and research.