Established in 2009, the Testing Center has been entrusted with the task of preparing and providing assessment instruments for the College of Open and Distance Learning (CODL), assisting the conventional mode of learning in the development and administration of up-to-standard assessment tools, and providing training and services in measurement and evaluation, and pedagogy so as to help enhance the quality of teaching-learning. The Center also provides different placement and recruitment tests for local and international organizations.
The Testing Center has four units under it: Exam Preparation Unit, Computerized Marking and Grading Unit, Exam Administration Unit, and International Testing Unit.
The major duties and responsibilities of the Testing Center include:
- Preparing standard term assignments and exams for College of Open and Distance Learning;
- Assisting in the preparation of up-to-standard semester exam items for the Regular Program;
- Preparing and administering special purpose (screening) tests used for such purposes as employment and placement to off-campus customers (Organizations, Institutions, Governmental bodies, etc.);
- Giving training on educational measurement and evaluation and related pedagogical problems to academic staff of the University, and others upon request;
- Preparing and administering Comprehensive Degree Exit Exams, and Entrance Exams for CODL and the Regular Program;
- Administering international tests such as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL-iBT); Graduate Record Exam (GRE); Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI); Praxis Administration and Aptitude tests;
- Conducting research on problems of assessment and pedagogy;
- Assisting in the overall assessment at the University from norm-referenced to criterion-referenced assessment;
- Preparing different articles on education and assessment and distributing them to the concerned stakeholders;
- Engaging in tutorial programs, preparation of term-end exams, and invigilation of SMU graduate, undergraduate and CODL programs;
- Assisting Kidist Mariam Elementary School in the preparation of exams and provision of pedagogical trainings;
- Conducting item analysis and trend evaluation of course exam items and giving feedback reports to the concerned academic bodies; and
- Participating in community outreach programs.
* Some of the test services provided by the TC for employment/placement are in the following areas.
● Accountancy ● Auditing ● Cashier ● Finance Management ● Finance Officer ● Marketing Management ● Salesmanship ● English Language ● Public Relations ● Law | ● Accounting Clerk ● Personnel Management ● Human Resource Management ● Business Administration ● Project Management ● Risk Management ● Procurement and Supply Chain Management ● Tourism & Hospitality Management | ● Secretary ● Archives Management ● Customer Service ● Database Management ● Computer Programming ● Software Engineering ● Computer Networking ● General Aptitude |
THE INTERNATIONAL TESTING UNIT
St. Mary’s University is a pioneer in Ethiopia in providing international tests such as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL-iBT); Graduate Record Exam (GRE); Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI); Praxis Administration and Aptitude test
TOEFL,GRE,CISI, PRAXIS
Thousands of institutions require TOEFL and GRE test results as a prerequisite for joining their institutions and have recognized the TOEFL and GRE tests program. Thus taking a TOEFL and GRE tests, which are offered throughout the world by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) found in New Jersey, USA, in collaboration with its partner Thomson Prometric, is a must for your academic success.
TOEFL and GRE INTERNET-BASED TESTs (iBT)
Unlike Paper-Based Tests, the TOEFL and GRE Internet Based Tests (TOEFL iBT) are conducted by Internet. Therefore, this requires that a candidate for these tests be skilled in the use of computer. Thousands of agencies and other institutions in many countries accept TOEFL and GRE scores. Other organizations, too, rely on these scores.
St. Mary’s University provides these internet based tests. The unit responsible for this service is located at the third floor of the main campus behind Ethiopian Petroleum Enterprise, three hundren meters below the Federal Police Headquarters in Mexico Square.The following notes should be strictly adhered to get the service.
HOW CAN YOU REGISTER FOR TOEFL iBT?
The registration fee must be paid in full using credit cards in one’s name, or using checks or money orders, or e-check where they can be drawn from a bank in the U.S. and made payable to “ETS-TOEFL/GRE iBT.”, or using vouchers obtained from the TOEFL/GRE iBT Test Resource Centers. Early registration, at least three or four months before the test day, is advisable since places fill up early and to get enough time for preparation on the test. However, the regular registration date ends seven days before the test day and late registration ends three days before the test day (subject to extra charge fee). On registration, all personal information must be entered carefully. The test taker enters into an agreement with the ETS and needs to observe all the rules concerning the test taking procedures.
Upon payment of the registration fee, registration can be made:
Online (www.ets.org/toefl),
By phone (31-320-239-593),
By E-mail : (www.prometric.com/TestTakers/ContactUs/email.htm), or
By Mail:
Prometric
ATTN:PTC Registration
P.O.Box 2024
8203 AA-Lelystad The Netherlands.
WHERE AND WHEN CAN YOU TAKE THE INTERNET-BASED TEST (iBT)?
The TOEFL and GRE tests have a number of test dates and locations in the world. Exact test dates are fixed by the ETS, but up on registration, the test taker can select the most appropriate date for her/his test. Here, in Ethiopia, the tests are given at the international Test Center found in St. Mary’s University , at the Main Campus, Addis Ababa. On the test day, the test taker should appear at least half an hour before the scheduled testing time to be checked in. She/He ought to appear with all the necessary materials important to sit on the test like a valid ID card; and during the test session she/he needs to respect the test center’s rules and procedures.
If you decide to take any one of the tests, you can get detailed information and assistance from the SMU international test center.
Main campus
Telephone: 09-13250579
+251-115510991
Fax: +251-15538000
E-mail: toeflibt@SMU.edu.et
P.O.Box 18490/1211
For further enquiry about any of the services indicated above, the Testing Center is ready to provide detailed information and assistance to customers.
Working hard to deliver better quality services, we are guided by the motto: “GOOD IS NOT ENOUGH, WHEN BETTER IS EXPECTED!”