Princeton, N.J. (October 20, 2010) — Educational Testing Service (ETS), the creator of the TOEFL® test, announced today that the total number of TOEFL test takers has exceeded 25 million since the test was introduced. The number of students selecting the TOEFL test to achieve their educational goals continues to increase, reflecting that the TOEFL test remains the most recognized English-language assessment with the most test takers globally.

The TOEFL test evaluates a student’s ability to use and understand English at the university level and measures how a student combines reading, listening, writing and speaking skills needed to succeed in an academic setting. It is the most widely accepted English-language assessment used for admissions purposes in more than 130 countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Currently, more than 7,500 colleges and universities accept the TOEFL test, including those listed in U.S. News & World Report’s "Best Colleges 2011" (U.S.), the Russell Group (U.K.) and the Group of Eight (Australia).

Available to students at more than 4,500 testing sites in 165 countries, the TOEFL test is also the most accessible English-language assessment. To accommodate the needs of English language learners around the world, the TOEFL test is offered in two formats: the TOEFL iBT™ test (Internet-based Test) and the TOEFL® PBT test (Paper-based Test), allowing students in locations without internet access to meet their educational goals of studying abroad.

"Ensuring that the TOEFL test is accessible to students around the world regardless of their location is an integral part of ETS’s mission of assuring equity in education," says David Hunt, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ETS’s Global Division. "Over the years, the TOEFL test has helped millions of English language learners pursue their educational aspirations. ETS will continue to work closely with students around the world to strengthen their English-language skills and advance their personal goals."

New TOEFL test study resources, including free test prep materials, sample test questions, and videos, are available at www.TOEFLGoAnywhere.org.