What is TOEFL®?
A Standardized Test, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) assesses the English Proficiency of people, whose native language does not happen to be English. It tests the ability to understand North American English. Most Educational Institutes in the US and Canada (approximately 2400) ask applicants for their TOEFL® Scores. Institutes in other countries, where the mode and language of instruction is English, also use TOEFL®. 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.
The TOEFL® Internet-based Test (TOEFL® iBT) tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The structure of the TOEFL® iBT is as follows:
A Standardized Test, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) assesses the English Proficiency of people, whose native language does not happen to be English. It tests the ability to understand North American English. Most Educational Institutes in the US and Canada (approximately 2400) ask applicants for their TOEFL® Scores. Institutes in other countries, where the mode and language of instruction is English, also use TOEFL®. 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.
The TOEFL® Internet-based Test (TOEFL® iBT) tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The structure of the TOEFL® iBT is as follows:
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Reading (60-100 min) (36-70
questions) (0-30 scoring scale)
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3-5 passages from academic texts;
approx 700 word long with 12-14 questions per passage.
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Listening (60-90 min) (34-51
questions) (0-30 scoring scale)
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4-6 lectures each 3-5
min long; 6 question each.
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2-3 conversations,
each 3 minutes long; 5 questions each.
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Speaking (20 min) (6 tasks) (0-4
points converted to 0-30 scoring scale)
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2 tasks to express an opinion on a
topic; 4 tasks to speak based on what is read and listened to.
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Writing (50 min) (2 tasks) (0-5
points converted to 0-30 scoring scale)
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1 task to write based on what is
read or listened to; 1 task to support an opinion on a topic.
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The US-based "Educational
Testing Service"(ETS), develops and administers the TOEFL®. ETS
is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score
reports to each examinee. For detailed information about TOEFL, please refer to
the official website of TOEFL® – www.toefl.org
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The registration fee for taking the
TOEFL® is USD 165.
Ans. TOEFL® is offered on specific days of
the year. One can access the whole schedule which can vary depending on the
country by following the given link http://www.ets.org/bin/getprogram.cgi?test=toefl
TOEFL® can be taken
unlimited number of times. (It is highly advisable not to appear for TOEFL®
too many times as it may affect the applicant’s candidature).
Your TOEFL®
score will be valid for 2 years after from the date the test was taken
Scoring is between 0 (Minimum) and
120 (Maximum) with 10-point increment. Four scores are reported on the TOEFL®:
- Reading score reported on a 0-30 score scale.
- Listening score reported on a 0-30 score scale.
- Writing score reported on a 0-30 score scale.
- Speaking score reported on a 0-30 score scale.
The scores are available online 2
weeks after the exam date.
The universities only accept official
scores sent directly by ETS. Scores to four colleges can be sent free of cost
from the time of TOEFL® registration to 24 hours before the test
date. Subsequently, for each score report sent to a college, you would have to
pay $18.
No, photocopies are not accepted. You
have to send your scores only through ETS.
Almost all the
universities take the best score.
No, you do not need to have the TOEFL®
score with you at the time of applying. But you are required to take the TOEFL®
before the deadline of the university.
TOEFL® is mandatory for
UnderGraduate, MS, PhD and most MBA courses across the world. However, a few
universities in the USA and all universities in the UK and Australia accept
IELTSTM scores. The Top 15 colleges in the US might waive the TOEFL®
requirement provided you are able to produce a proof that your UnderGraduate
degree had English as its mode of instruction.
For admission, one has to score over
80 for MS and undergrad programs, over 100 for PhD and MBA courses. Usually a
score of 100 is required for students who are looking for Financial
aid/scholarships.
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