Educational Testing Service Reviews 302

Racist company revoking access to its services based on nationality. Disgusting

Got robbed like so many other people here. Never got to actually take the test, never got to see a single question. An error appeared in the screen, the proctor said he couldn't help me, after almost three months waiting for a reply finally got one saying I had unauthorized software running in my computer, no proof provided. What is the purpose then of running all the programs to check the system, and having the proctor literally getting into the test takers computers' settings to block all kind of unauthorized software from working. An absolute robbery. Did the IELTS a few weeks later and got an 8 out of 9. Needed a 6, why would I even cheat? They are just robbing people.

I paid for the TOEFL Essentials test at home. At the day scheduled, the problems started when ProctorU people were unable to handle with an error message which avoided the ETS browser to be installed. The tech guy did some basic verifications, but he didn't spend a reasonable effort and just alleged I had to try on another computer or ask for a reschedule.

As I had no other computer available and also with a tight deadline, I googled for myself and found a troubleshooting document at ETS website which contains instructions for the message I was getting. According to this document, the tech support from ProctorU should have checked some TLS configuration at Internet Options on my Windows but he didn't. After reconfiguring it, I was finally able to install ETS browser by myself. Almost 2 hours late, I tried all over again, with a third proctor, to start taking the test.

She got control of my computer with their ProctorU Google Chrome extension, then ran some scripts which interrupted some services and background programs, and then manually closed some other programs I have running by default. Google Chrome Remote Desktop, Microsoft Teams, Geforce Experience, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Apple iCloud, Discord all stopped, logged out or closed. I had no Skype, Zoom, TeamViewer, OBS or any other program or remote desktop service or screen sharing installed.

She finally said everything was set to proceed and my environment was ok. But when she inserted the credentials at ETS browser to start the test, a few seconds later, the screen blinked and it just showed the message "test cancelled due to security reasons". She stated this was a COMMON ISSUE but she couldn't do anything to solve, so that I should report to ETS and they would help me out. I argued I had not much time, and again she said I should no worry because this is an issue ETS is used to deal with!

I sent emails to different ETS adresses and opened an incident at ETS contact support page, which stated that I would receive a response within 2 businesse days. But had no response at all from anyone.

30 days later, a Test Security Specialist (sic) sent me an email informing the reason my test had no score result available. The stating is "you had an unauthorized software operating during the test administration."

I seached for ETS files at my computer, looking for some log or anything that could help me understand what happened and which program or service was running. Found 3 log files an none of them had any clue about it.

So how an specialist wasn't even minimally dedicated or capable to inform me which software was running, a software that THEIR OWN SCRIPT AND THE THIRD-PARTY PROCTOR ON DUTY WASN'T ABLE TO CHECK AND CLOSE UPFRONT?

The support dept is practically non-existent and doesn't respond to any inquiries you have in advance of booking a test, as i have learned. Not to mention all the shady ProctorU stuff and arbitrary requirements that come with it... Will very likely try and get my certification from a different provider in the future.

I really hope that I read this site before taking the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. I'm one of the dozens of people here who have been falsely accused of cheating. My case was because I closed the camera during BREAK to use the restroom. I hope that the Trustpilot website appears on the first page of Google Search so that more people are aware of the risks involved in taking the ETS test.

Even if the test takers are truthful, you run the risk of being accused of cheating due to the numerous rules and regulations you must remember. Remember that ETS will not bother informing participants of these sub-regulations prior to the test; you will only learn about them verbally or through the chatbox from Proctor. ETS will also not give you a free retest or reconsider Proctor's accusations that you cheated. It seems like charging you again to take the test is more profitable for them then draining your bank account.

If you want to take an English test, I recommend that you take the tests offered by other services. It's better to spend $250 and get something than to spend $250 and get nothing.

On the test day, I rebooted my computer and closed all software I could find. Then the proctor proceeded to do the same. As soon as I opened the test, a message popped up stating that I had an unauthorised software running on my laptop. I asked the proctor, and she had no idea what was causing the issue. I wrote TOEFL an e-mail, they said they would get back to me. They didn't. I followed up, multiple times, and they didn't get back to me. I then called their offices and was put on hold for over an hour multiple times during a single call. When I finally got through to someone, they told me I would have to pay again if I want to retake the test and that they could not inform me of what software was causing the issue. Definitely not retaking the test with them.

I applied for TOEFL iBT test which was scheduled June 18th.
On the day of my exam, the Proctor controlled my computer to shut down everything before starting the exam. Then, after he logged in to the test page it said that the test could not be started due to security reasons. The proctor told me to send an email to ETS service saying what had happened and asking a new date for the test. The issue was normal to happen and for I don´t worry, and they would answer me in 2 business days.
With no answer after 3 business days, I called the ETS office to see how the issue could be solved. The lady told me it could take 5 business days for them to investigate before any rescheduling. At same day I received an email saying I had to wait for another 2-4 weeks before they could tell me what the next step would be. I reply asking for a refund and after 1 week I had no answer from them and they change my outstanding balance where they asking me again the value of the test plus chargeback fee related.

I applied for TOEFL iBT test which was scheduled June 12th.
On the day of my exam, the Proctor controlled my computer to shut down everything before starting the exam. Then a pop up showed up saying whether to allow the ETS browser to bypass my firewall, within seconds the proctor pressed "no", which was the moment I suspect something bad would happen. Then, as I expected, after he logged in to the test page it said that the test could not be started due to security reasons. He then shut down the entire program and attempted to log in again, this time a pop up showed up saying i have attempted the test and my account is locked, please contact ETS for assistance. The proctor knew he fxxked up and just provided my a ETS service line and asked me to contact them for further assistance.
Although frustrated, I called the ETS office to see how the issue could be resolved. The lady told me this case have been initiated and would take 5 business days for them to investigate before any rescheduling or refunds can be made, which i thought was a reasonable processing time. Then after a week, i got no response from ETS, so I decided to call again. After 60+ mins waiting time, I finally was able to talk to an operator, and told me that I had to wait for another 4-6 weeks before they could tell me what the next step would be, and told me they can't guarantee refunds of rescheduling for free for an incident caused by one of their proctors. It sounds so sarcastic when the number i was calling to is to the ETS office of "Integrity", while they have been ripping examination fees from tons of people.

GHETTO! PROCTORU was not working and I had to $275 for it?! Seriously! I couldn’t even reach the number to call because their “office is close”. I have emailed the integrity office multiple times and I received none in response though I couldn’t get my refund back. ProctorU acted like they don’t know wt* they’re doing. Why is this even allowed online? These are pretty major test you’re withholding and if students can’t successfully take it, refund it back! $275 is not cheap for TOEFL lmao

ETS is the WORST company I have ever dealt with. I paid USD 290 to take the AT Home
Toefl. On the day of the exam, I was not able to take it due to technical issues (minutes before the test began it suddenly shut down with no explanation). I spent 1 month waiting for a response, and they said I was not getting a refund because there was “security violation” from my part because there was apparently an open program (The ProctorU spent 40 minutes controlling my computer checking everything was closed and even asked me to uninstall some programs I had). So it is absolutely ridiculous that the company blames test takers and don’t refund for a very expensive service you don’t receive.
I can’t believe that universities are still using ETS as apparently they have scammed thousands of students.
I took IELTS and it was an excellent service, so if you have the chance, you should take this test instead of Toef.

I got cut off because of their technical issue before I started my exam. Then Ets just terminated my right to take exam without any explanation. I submitted my complaint. After more than one month, they just ask you to pay again and register for another exam. Shamless Moneyaking machine.

Where to begin, what an unbelievably awful organization. First up they got my test time wrong, where I booked a PM time and got a AM time instead. With an aggressive and rude customer service, I got told that the only way to get a new test was to book another one, with no exceptions and with full price. Even though it wasn't my fault to begin with. I booked a new test the week after because of the school I'm applying for needed test results fast, and I of course had to pay more to get a test within the same week. On the actual test, I got connected with a Proctor U assistant that was bad at english and didn't understand everything I said. I got thrown out of the test 4-5 times and they had to connect 2-3 other assistant to help with the technical difficulties, took me almost 6 hours to do the test. Super distracting, and the test was nothing near what the practice test was. I didn't see any mentions that I couldn't have any notes before the test started, so I had to do every part without any notes. Different layout of the parts in the test too. The last part is even more incredible as the assistant told me to cancel my scores at the end because it didn't matter, and I would get my scores on the website anyways. I then had to pay 20$ more to get my scores "re-instated", of course with no exceptions and without checking the recording for me. I literally got told to press the cancel scores button, but they wouldn't check that up. I'm minus 800$ on my Mastercard from 1 stupid test, and they know very well that they have monopoly on the test so everyone has to pay for new tests and fees. Wouldn't wish this test on my worst enemy, incredible that an organization made for education and giving people a chance at a career is a money scheme ripping off poor students and people. I'm from EU so I can't do anything about it either, I just have to be poor for the next month or two.

I took the TOEFL test from home. It cost me US$230. It was supposed to be a 3 hour exam, and I was sitting in front of my laptop for literally 6 hours with 10 minutes to go to the bathroom. First, there were issues with the ProctorU and I had to talk to at least four different live assistants. I allowed them access to my laptop so they could solve the problem and I could start the test. Three hours later I was able to start the exam. By that time I was already very stressed out, but I wanted to take the test FOR me. This detail is vital because a month and 6 days after my exam I received an email by Wendy Demby saying that my scores were cancelled because, according to their claims, I shared my screen or gave remote access to my screen to someone else -of course, how else would the ProctorU assistants would fix the software problem?! I repeat, I had to share my screen with the ProctorU assistants so they could solve the problem that was inhibiting me from taking the test. I cannot believe that they put me through so much stress and now they doubt my integrity. I find it insulting. If they do not resolve this by giving me my scores or my money back, I am going to file a complaint with the Attorney General in the state where I live. I learned that everyone having these kind of issues with ETS could file a complaint in their state.

My daughter has been preparing the SAT test in Texas and the Friday night before the test she slept early. She woke up very early and went to the testing center in Round Rock HS and was told the test is cancelled and email was sent yesterday. She check her email it was sent Friday night at 9:30pm that the test is cancelled and no reason was given. My daughter was sleeping already that time. I think this place has some incompetent people working. It wasted everybody's time.

straight up scam, we paid for a test, their website didnt let us take it, we tried to email, no response for 3 weeks, tried to refund in paypal, paypal rejected, and ETS website shows that we OWE them money even tho paypal refused the charge back.

stay away, its straight up fraud at this point.

99% 1 star reviews, should say it all...

Like others on here, I paid for a test that I couldn't take because of Covid disruptions. ETS now refuse to refund the moneys because of "internal policies", even though I am in need and have laid out my dire situation to them.

Sharmala S. possibly the worst customer service advisor I have ever dealt with, rude and unhelpful is an understatement.

Shame on you ETS for taking money for tests that you don't even deliver.

SCAMMER WEBSITE!! THEY ARE TAKE YOUR MONEY FOR FREE!! THERE'S NO RESPONSIBILITES AFTER TECHNICAL PROBLEM AND ASK FOR RESCHEDULE BUT THEY DON'T GIVE A F^CK

They are a joke
Don't do IBT home edition

Worst company ever, I had to take an exam for them and didn't had my passport (I lost it) and they won't let me do the exam or reschedule, the only way is to make a full payment again. Plus that, their call center service is rude, not only rude but incredibly aggressive.

Customer service 0

If there was a score less than 1, they definitely deserve it.
ets doesn't care about anything other than earning money in every possible way!!
I had the home ibt TOEFL in January 2022, the proctor terminated my test without any specific reason!(She proposed that I have come back late to my exam from my 10 min break that was absolutely incorrect).ets even did not answer to my request to give me an evidence that I have come back late!!. I lost my matching process which was very important for me due to this illegal action of the ets and my Toefl not prepared for the deadline. Moreover I have lost the registration fee($CA 390) that they don't care about it too. After 1.5 month they finally answered to my numerous emails and phone calls with this answer "you can pay and take part in a new session of Toefl exam"!!!!!!!