Aadhaar Card will now be used as an identity proof for Indian students applying for the GRE and/or TOEFL, starting July 1, 2021. Conducted by the Educational testing Service (ETS), it made the announcement on June 29 (Tuesday) in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
ETS has acknowledged that many applicants have been facing hurdles in getting their passports amid the COVID-19 lockdowns across the country.
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Ray Nicosia, Executive Director of the Office of Testing Integrity at ETS, said the current lockdowns have made it difficult for students to get their passport or even renew it. Being a common identification proof in India, accepting Aadhaar card will enable a lot of students to apply for the GRE and/or TOEFL.
An ETS statement, however, said that this was a temporary measure and will come into effect from July 1 and apply until further notice. The same will apply to the TOEFL and GRE General home edition tests, and the internet-based tests held at ETS-designated centres along with the new TOEFL Essentials Test which will start from August 21 and the GRE Subject Tests which ETS will start offering from October 2021.
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According to the website of ETS, currently, a passport is the only identification proof accepted for registration of Indian students.
This new step will make it relatively easy for Indian students to apply for the standardised tests conducted by ETS, which are taken by thousands aspiring to study abroad.
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