English Language Tests
Applicants to the UNBC MBA program must be able to speak, write
and understand English well in order to be successful in the UNBC MBA
program. Applicants whose first language is not English, regardless of
citizenship or country of origin, must submit evidence of English
proficiency prior to admission. This may be in the form of any one of
the following:
Brief descriptions of each follow below. See www.ets.org for more information.
English proficiency scores older than two years are not valid for
admission purposes.
The test score must be transmitted to UNBC directly
by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). UNBC's education code is
0320.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
The Test of English as a Foreign Language™ (TOEFL) measures the ability
of nonnative speakers to use and understand English. The TOEFL test
measures English language proficiency in reading,
listening, and writing and is offered on computer in most regions of
the world. In areas where access to computer-based testing is limited,
a paper-and-pencil version of the test is administered.
- The computer-based TOEFL test is offered at institutional sites such
as colleges and universities, and at testing centers operated by
Prometric, a division of Thomson Learning.
The computer-based TOEFL test has four sections:
- Listening measures the ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America.
- Structure measures the ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard written English.
- Reading
measures the ability to understand short passages that are similar in
topic and style to academic texts used in North American colleges and
universities.
- Writing measures the ability to write in English on an assigned topic.
The paper-based test has three sections:
- Listening Comprehension measures the ability to understand spoken English.
- Structure and Written Expression measures the ability to recognize standard written English.
- Reading Comprehension measures the ability to read and understand nontechnical material.
The paper-based TOEFL test takes about 3.5 hours to complete.
The Test of Written English (TWE®)is
also required for everyone taking the paper-based test. Test
takers
are given 30 minutes to write a short essay on an assigned topic. The essay is
evaluated on the test
taker's ability to support and organize
new ideas and to use standard
written English. Special
knowledge of the
topic is not needed to write the essay.
Required score: at least 570 in paper-based test and at least 230 in computer-based test.
UNBC's
institutional TOEFL code is 0320.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed
to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work
where English is used as the language of communication.
IELTS covers all four language skills: Listening,
Reading,
Writing and Speaking and is offered in two test formats - Academic and
General Training. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking
Modules and there is an option of either Academic or General Training
Reading and Writing Modules. Academic
is suitable for candidates planning to undertake higher
education study or who are seeking professional registration. General
Training is suitable for candidates planning to undertake non-academic
training or work experience, or for immigration purposes. Applicants to
the UNBC MBA program should select the Academic test format.
Total Test Time
2 hours 45 minutes
The first three modules - Listening,
Reading
and Writing - must be completed in one day. The Speaking Module may be
taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days
before or after the other Modules.
Required score: at least 6.5 in each of the Academic Reading and Writing Modules.
LPI (Language Proficiency Index)
The purpose
of the Language Proficiency Index (LPI)
is to provide information about an individual's competency
in English.
The test consists of four parts comprising
80 points: identifying errors in sentence structure (10 points);
identifying errors in English usage (10 points); evaluating
and/or summarizing short prose passages (20 points); and writing
an argumentative essay (40 points).
Required score: at least 5.
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