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TOEFL iBT MyBest Scores TOEFL iBT

Author(s):
TOEFL Psychometrics Team
Publication Year:
2023
Report Number:
RM-23-02
Source:
ETS Research Memorandum
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
17
Subject/Key Words:
TOEFL iBT, MyBest Scores, Score Reports, Test Repeaters, Test Scores

Abstract

Since 2019, TOEFL iBT score reports have included MyBest scores, which are a test taker’s highest section scores from all test dates within the past 2 years and a total score that is the sum of MyBest scores for each of the four sections of the TOEFL iBT test. Using data from test takers in 2021 who had taken the TOEFL iBT more than once in a 2-year span, this study investigated how the MyBest scores of these test takers, or repeaters, differed both from their most recent scores and from their test date best total scores, which are their best scores in a single test administration. In addition, the characteristics of the 2021 repeater sample were compared to the characteristics of a 2016 sample. Findings indicate that around 30% of TOEFL iBT test takers in 2021 were repeaters, and the differences between first and most recent total scores increased as the number of testing occasions increased. Approximately 22% of these repeaters obtained their MyBest total scores after they achieved their test date best total scores. At the total score level, the average difference between MyBest and most recent total scores was 5.69 scale score points. Between a repeater’s MyBest score and the test date best total score, the average difference was 2.56 points. These findings indicate that that most repeaters can anticipate small to moderate differences between their MyBest scores and test scores from a single test administration date. Overall, the repeater sample composition and score patterns were very similar between 2021 and 2016 cohorts.

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