All About TOEFL Test, Preparation and Practice!

TOEFL: The Test of English as a Foreign Language

What is TOEFL? What does it test?

Background
The TOEFL exam was created in 1975 by the Educational Testing Service to assist American and Canadian colleges and universities in the evaluation of the level of English language proficiency of international students they are considering for admission.

Level
Unlike Cambridge Examinations which are pass/ fail exams, TOEFL - like its British equivalent IELTS - has been designed to assess the candidate's current level of English proficiency, allowing them to determine whether they have the level of ability in English to be able to cope in an academic setting such as a university. Like IELTS, TOEFL could in theory be taken simply to determine a learner's level of English.

Why Take the TOEFL Test?
Most people take the TOEFL test as a prerequisite for admission into colleges and universities where English is used or required. In addition, many government, licensing, and certification agencies and exchange and scholarship programs use TOEFL scores to evaluate the English proficiency of people for whom English is not their native language.

If you are planning to study in the US, Canada, Europe, and a few schools in UK, then you are required to take the TOEFL exam compulsorily. The purpose of the TOEFL exam is to evaluate English proficiency of students whose native language is not English.

The computer-based TOEFL test has four sections:

Listening measures the ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America.
Structure measures the ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard written English.
Reading measures the ability to understand short passages that are similar in topic and style to academic texts used in North American colleges and universities.
Writing measures the ability to write in English on an assigned topic.

Sections	Computer Adaptive	No of questions	Time Time Given to attempt the questions
------------ Tutorials ---------------			30 minutes
Listening	Yes	30 to 50	15 to 25 min (does not include listening time)
Structure	Yes	20 to 25	15 to 20 min
Mandatory break			5 Minute
Reading	No	44 to 55	70 to 90 min (includes time spent on reading the passage)
Writing	No	One Essay	30 min

All questions are multiple choice having four answer options, you are required to choose the correct option. In case of essay, the topic will be randomly assigned from a large pool of topics. It can be any topic.

Test Scores:
The score for Structure and Writing is combined. On the test day you will get a score range since the essay would not have been rated.

Listening	Structure + Writing	Reading	Total
0 to 30	0 to 30	0 to 30	0 to 300

The Essay Score: The scores of the structure section are combined with the essay ratings. The ratings of the essay will be 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0,2.5, 2.0, 1.5 and 1.0.

Who can take the test??

What score should I obtain?

The score requirement varies from universities to universities. Each university decides the range of scores that are acceptable to them, however a score of 250 and above is considered good

How long are the TOEFL scores valid?

Your TOEFL score is valid for two years. If it has been more than two years since you last took TOEFL, you must take it again to have scores reported.

Who Accepts TOEFL Scores?
More than 5,000 colleges, universities, and licensing agencies in 90 countries accept TOEFL scores.

What is The Internet-based TOEFL Test ?
The TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The test helps students demonstrate that they have the English skills needed for success.

Is TOEFL an adaptive test?
Answering questions correctly at the beginning of the test does indeed raise your score more. On the TOEFL, the Reading Comprehension questions are not adaptive--each question is worth the same.

When Will TOEFL iBT Be Available ?
ETS is introducing the new test in phases.

Location	First Test Date
United States (excluding U.S. Territories)	September 24, 2005
Canada, France, Germany, Italy	October 22, 2005
Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands	November 4, 2005
American Samoa	November 5, 2005
Worldwide	In 2006

What Is Happening To The Current TOEFL Tests ?
The computer- and paper-based (CBT, PBT) versions of the TOEFL test will be given at a particular location until the Internet-based version is implemented.

Test or Service	Fees as of July 1, 2005
TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT)	U.S. $140 (includes 1 examinee score record and 4 score reports sent to institutions designated when test takers register)
TOEFL Computer-Based Test (CBT)	U.S. $140 (includes 1 examinee score record and 4 score recipients)
TOEFL Paper-Based Test (PBT)	U.S. $140 (includes 1 examinee score record and 4 score recipients)
Additional Score Report Requests	U.S. $17 (per recipient)
Rescheduling Fee (CBT only)	U.S. $40
Essay/TWE Rescore	U.S. $50
TOEFL Paper Answer Sheet Rescore	U.S. $25
Reinstatement of Canceled Scores (CBT only)	U.S. $20
Fee for Returned Check or Declined Credit Card	U.S. $20

When is the TOEFL test held?
Computer based TOEFL test is held all-round-the-year. Unlike other exams, you can choose your own date and time for taking the TOEFL test! The test is administered in the above cities five-days-a-week (Monday through Friday), twice-a-day. September to December is the high season for TOEFL test, so in case you intend to take the test during this period, you need to register very early (say 90 days in advance) to get a date of your choice. Otherwise, registering at least three days in advance is mandatory. The test lasts roughly four hours.

How to Apply?

Obtain the "TOEFL Information Bulletin" available free with Sylvan Testing Services and USEFI. You can also request the bulletin from http://ipem.org/ets.htm and it will be delivered to your given address free of cost. The Test Scheduling Form comes with the bulletin. The Test Scheduling Form comes with the bulletin. There are three ways to register:

Registering by Phone: You may call up Sylvan Delhi office until 12:00 noon to register. Make sure to call at least THREE BUSINESS DAYS before the test date.

Registering by Fax: If registering by fax, you must send your fax at lest SEVEN DAYS prior to your first choice of a test day.

Registering by Mail/Courier: Fill in the form, get the draft made (if you are not paying by credit card), and submit these to the Sylvan Learning Centre at New Delhi either by hand or by registered post/courier. You must send the documents at least THREE WEEKS before your choice of a test day.

On receipt of your documents, an appointment will be scheduled for you to test at the Sylvan Technology Center. Confirmation of the date, time and location of the appointment will be sent to you. If you do not receive confirmation at least THREE business days before your first choice of test day, please call the Sylvan office to verify your appointment.

Who Accepts TOEFL Scores? More than 5,000 colleges, universities, and licensing agencies in 90 countries accept TOEFL scores.

What is The Internet-based TOEFL Test ? The TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The test helps students demonstrate that they have the English skills needed for success.

Is TOEFL an adaptive test? Answering questions correctly at the beginning of the test does indeed raise your score more. On the TOEFL, the Reading Comprehension questions are not adaptive--each question is worth the same.

When Will TOEFL iBT Be Available ? ETS is introducing the new test in phases.

What Is Happening To The Current TOEFL Tests ? The computer- and paper-based (CBT, PBT) versions of the TOEFL test will be given at a particular location until the Internet-based version is implemented.

Who Accepts TOEFL Scores?
More than 5,000 colleges, universities, and licensing agencies in 90 countries accept TOEFL scores.

What is The Internet-based TOEFL Test ?
The TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The test helps students demonstrate that they have the English skills needed for success.

Is TOEFL an adaptive test?
Answering questions correctly at the beginning of the test does indeed raise your score more. On the TOEFL, the Reading Comprehension questions are not adaptive--each question is worth the same.

When Will TOEFL iBT Be Available ?
ETS is introducing the new test in phases.

What Is Happening To The Current TOEFL Tests ?
The computer- and paper-based (CBT, PBT) versions of the TOEFL test will be given at a particular location until the Internet-based version is implemented.