Kashmir to have first TOEFL, GRE test centre

NEW DELHI: Kashmir Valley will now have its first TOEFL and GRE test centre. The test centre will be set up at the Hashtag Educational Services, Regal Chowk, Srinagar.

ETS, the world’s largest nonprofit educational assessment, research and measurement organization and the owner of assessments for TOEFL and GRE, announced the opening of its first-ever test centre in the Kashmir Valley for easy accessibility to the TOEFL and GRE test-takers.

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Previously, students from the valley had to travel to Punjab to take TOEFL and GRE assessments. The new testing centre in the valley not only seeks to eliminate the need for time-consuming travel but also signify ETS's commitment to empowering students and the local study abroad ecosystem in Kashmir, an ETS statement said.

This historic development, the ETS statement added, promises to be a game-changer for study abroad aspirants in the region.

“This is the first time a global assessment organization has set up a dedicated testing facility in the region, thereby addressing a significant need of local students, aspiring to pursue international higher education,” it added.

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Speaking on the launch, Sachin Jain, Country Manager, ETS India and South Asia, said: “We are delighted to work with Hashtag Educational Services in setting up a world-class testing centre in Kashmir, also our first in the Valley, thereby enabling significant ease of access to study abroad aspirants.”

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The centre is equipped with ‘state-of-the-art facilities’ and adheres to stringent test security protocols to ensure a seamless testing experience to both TOEFL and GRE test takers. Following this development, ETS India plans to further invest in partnering with agents and educational institutions in the Kashmir region, to support local students in their study abroad journeys.

“Our breadth of initiatives across education, including global assessments, English language competency assessments from K-12 to College, skill development and assessment services, is a testimony to our commitment to invest in India and accelerate its journey to becoming a global knowledge powerhouse,” he added.