TOEFL the Test of English as a Foreign Language

TOEFL® (The Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Who should take it: TOEFL may be required for university application and admission for students whose first language is not English.

Where to apply: Educational Testing Service
Rosedale Road
Princeton, NJ 08541
Phone: +1 (609) 921-9000
www.ets.org/toefl
 
 

The TOEFL® iBT test

You may be familiar with the computer-based and paper-based formats of the TOEFL test, but a new Internet-based (iBT) test is being phased in during 2006. The TOEFL iBT consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. All four sections are taken on the same day, and the entire test is about four hours long. What is most unique about the test is that it asks you to combine, or integrate, more than one language skill, just like you do every day. For example, sometimes you read a passage, listen to a short lecture about a topic, and then speak or write a response. And you can take notes throughout the entire test just like you would in a real academic class.

The following chart shows the range of questions and the timing for each section. The time limit for each section varies according to the number of questions.

TOEFL iBT provides fair, unbiased testing by having multiple ETS-certified raters blindly score students’ recorded Speaking and Writing responses. For a detailed description of the new test, including the Speaking and Writing scoring guides, download TOEFL iBT Tips at www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/downloads.html.

Language heard on the TOEFL iBT is designed to sound like real-life conversations from university lectures and classes, labs, professors’ discussions with students, study groups and everyday situations. The reading passages are taken from real textbooks and course materials. This method of testing replicates real university classrooms and life, proves you can communicate your ideas and confirms you are prepared to begin your academic studies.

Check the TOEFL Web site at www.ets.org/toefl for dates and test center locations in your area.

TOEFL iBT scores

Required scores vary by institution, so contact your selected education institutions to determine their score requirements. If you haven’t decided where to apply yet, you can view the Institution Codes on the TOEFL Web site at www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/codelists.html There you’ll find a list of 6,000 institutions that accept TOEFL scores. You can also view a list of score requirements for some representative universities.

Online test registration

Go online to schedule, reschedule, or cancel a test, as well as view and print a confirmation with all your appointment details. You can also register by phone or mail. When you register for the test, you can designate which universities you want to receive your scores. Or, you can wait until you receive your scores before sending them to your selected universities. You will be able to view your scores online 15 business days after you take the test. Your score report will even give you feedback on additional ways to improve your skills. In addition, ETS will send you a paper score report for your records.

For more information on TOEFL test registration procedures, visit www.ets.org/toefl. Paper copies of the TOEFL Registration and Information Bulletin can be found at many educational advising centers, universities, or libraries.

( Source: http://www.studyusa.com/English/articles/toefl.asp#TOEFL )

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