TOEFL iBT Integrated and Independent Writing Tasks: Iranian Test Takers' Performance in Focus

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the performance of international and Iranian test takers on TOEFL iBT integrated and independent writing tasks. The international test takers' data were provided by TOEFL organizer: Educational Testing Service (ETS). This included a total of number of 4916 samples for both integrated and independent tasks. A paired sample t-test showed the international test takers significantly outperformed on the independent task. Further, a sample of 100 integrated and independent writing tasks produced by international test takers was randomly selected through systematic sampling, and compared with 96 counterparts written by Iranian TOEFL iBT test takers. Although the difference between Iranian and International test takers was not significant, the paired sample t-test on Iranian samples per se showed that they too outperformed on the independent writing tasks. Although the difference between Iranian and International test takers was not significant, the paired sample t-test on Iranian samples per se showed that they too outperformed on the independent writing tasks.