ETS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ETS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. How long is the TOEFL iBT, and approximately how many total questions does it contain across all sections? → About 3 hours, roughly 120–150 questions
2. Which approach to score reporting expresses an examinee's performance relative to a defined level of proficiency rather than relative to other test-takers? → Criterion-referenced reporting
3. What is the mode of: 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 3, 6? → 3
4. Which feature distinguishes the TOEFL iBT Home Edition from the standard test center version? → It is taken at home via online proctoring with identical content and scoring
5. How long is the TOEFL iBT Reading section, and approximately how many questions does it contain? → 54–72 minutes, 30–40 questions
6. What does the term 'construct validity' mean in the context of ETS research? → Evidence that a test measures the theoretical ability it is intended to measure
7. What role does a 'scribe' play in ETS test accommodations? → The scribe writes or types responses verbatim as dictated by the test taker
8. On the SAT Reading section, 'Informational Graphics' questions ask students to: → Interpret data from a graph or table and relate it to the accompanying passage
9. The decision consistency index (kappa) in credentialing exams is used to assess: → Consistency of pass/fail decisions across two administrations
10. When ETS reports a score with ScoreSelect, what does the test-taker control? → Which test date's scores are sent to institutions
11. On the TOEFL iBT Writing section, which task type requires you to read a passage, listen to a lecture, and then write a response relating the two? → Integrated Task
12. When test items are pretested and stored for later use in constructing test forms, they are kept in a(n): → Item bank
13. Which of the following statements is TRUE about ETS score verification requests? → They involve hand-scoring by ETS staff
14. How should you manage time during a timed test? → Divide total time by questions and pace yourself, spending less on easy ones
15. According to ETS testing standards, which source of validity evidence is generally considered most fundamental? → Content validity in conjunction with other evidence
16. Which type of test bias occurs when items function differently for subgroups of test takers after controlling for the ability being measured? → Differential item functioning (DIF)
17. In TOEFL iBT Speaking, which task type asks you to express and support a personal opinion on a familiar topic with no reading or listening stimulus? → Independent Task
18. Which practice strengthens content validity evidence during test development? → Conducting a systematic content mapping with subject-matter experts
19. Which ETS digital tool provides score recipients with detailed score reports that include subscores and performance feedback? → ETS Score Insight
20. What role does ethics play in Question Types practice? → It guides professional conduct and protects stakeholders
21. When should you change an answer on a test? → Only when you have a clear reason the new answer is better
22. On the TOEFL iBT Listening section, which question type asks you to identify the speaker's attitude or degree of certainty about a topic? → Attitude questions
23. Which coefficient is most commonly used to report test-retest reliability? → Pearson product-moment correlation
24. Which type of score report gives examinees information about their performance in specific content areas rather than just an overall score? → Subscore or diagnostic report
25. What does ETS's 'Score Verification' service allow an examinee to request? → Hand scoring or rescoring of their responses to confirm the accuracy of the reported score
26. Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis is used to detect: → Items that function differently across demographic subgroups after matching on ability
27. Which of the following represents a valid reason ETS may invalidate test scores? → Evidence that prohibited materials were used during the exam
28. A graduate program requires a minimum GRE Quantitative score at the 75th percentile. If the cut score is 163, what does this tell you about the applicant pool? → 25% of test-takers scored 163 or higher
29. What is the primary purpose of the SAT School Day administration? → To provide free SAT testing for 11th-grade students during the regular school day
30. In simple linear regression, the slope coefficient β₁ represents: → The expected change in y for a one-unit increase in x