The truth about testing centers

Now, I know most of you are under the impression that the vast majority of TOEFL testing centers throughout Turkey (and maybe the world) are professional in every way possible; and of course you would think this! After all, they are representatives of the all infamous ETS (Educational Training Services). However, that is just simply not true; the truth is that any organization (as long as they have the right equipment, internet connection and staff) can become a TOEFL testing center. Now, it's true that some TOEFL testing centers such as those provided by Universities or computer based testing centers which specialize in a number of computer based tests including those by Microsoft, do actually do their best to ensure that you receive the exam experience that you paid for. However, other institutions and establishments, especially language schools, have other motives. They use the fact that they are TOEFL testing centers to promote their school and increase their number of students in a very competitive market and to take advantage of the continuous influx of students needing to take the TOEFL exam. Even worse, they use this guise to dupe students in to believing that they are receiving an ETS approved education. This simply isn't true! The fact is that ETS does not endorse any product or educational training of the TOEFL test outside of its own material. So next time you are in search of a TOEFL prep class, try staying away from those language schools that try to pretend to be partners with ETS for the sake of a few bucks. The school next door which may be cheaper, probably provides the same type of course at a more reasonable price.