TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is an English language test administered by ETS that measures your ability to use English at the university level. The TOEFL iBT is internet-based and tests your listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. It also tests your ability to combine more than one skill, such as listening and speaking, reading, listening, and then speaking, and reading, listening, and then writing.
2. What are the benefits of taking the TOEFL iBT?
The TOEFL iBT is recognized in over 130 countries and more than 7,500 colleges and other institutions around the world. If you want to study abroad at an English-speaking higher education institution, then the TOEFL iBT can help you. Scores from the TOEFL iBT are used for English language learning program admissions, for scholarship determination, and by immigration departments for students and workers applying for visas.
Almost one million people take the TOEFL iBT test each year. The average English skill level for test takers is from Intermediate to Advanced.
3. What is the format of the TOEFL iBT?
The TOEFL iBT is an internet-based test. ETS also offers the TOEFL PBT, a paper-based test, for institutions that do not offer internet testing. There are four sections to the TOEFL iBT: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.
Listening
This section includes passages and questions about academic conversations, lectures, and classroom discussions. There are two or three conversations with five questions each, and there are four to six lectures and/or classroom discussions, with six questions per lecture. You will have 60-90 minutes to complete the questions. You will be required to determine main ideas, functions, purpose, inferences, and organization.
Reading
This section includes reading passages on a variety of academic topics. All the information you need to answer the questions is contained within the reading passage. There are three to five reading passages, with twelve to fourteen questions each. You will have 60-100 minutes to read and answer the questions in this section. You will be required to determine meaning, main ideas, purpose, key facts, etc.
Speaking
This section includes six tasks: two "independent tasks," which require you to answer a question with your own opinions and ideas , and four "integrated" tasks, that require you to incorporate other skills, such as listening and reading, to answer the questions. You will have 20 minutes to complete this section.
You will speak into a microphone, and your answers will be recorded and sent to certified human rater, who will score this section of the test.
Writing
This section includes two tasks. The Integrated Writing task requires you to read a passage, listen to a lecture, and then write a response about what you listened to and read. The Independent task requires you to write a response to an essay question. You will have 50 minutes to complete this section.
4. How do I prepare for the TOEFL iBT?
In addition to following a TOEFL course with an English language teacher, it is also useful to take some TOEFL practice tests, so that you will know what to expect on the real test. If you practice the different parts of the test individually and check your scores, you can then see the sections and skills that you need to practice most. Overall scores on practice tests can also help to give you an idea of how you might perform in the real test. Interactive practice tests on iTests follow the same format, questions, and timing as the real TOEFL iBT, so that you get a realistic test experience. iTests practice tests are divided into small parts so you can choose which parts you need to practice. Your personal score chart shows your performance so you can check your own performance.
5. How do I sign up for the TOEFL iBT?
The TOEFL iBT can be taken at over 4,500 locations worldwide, and on 30-40 dates annually. To sign up, you will need to register in advance. The easiest way to register is online at http://www.ets.org/toefl. You can also register by mail by downloading and completing a registration form from http://www.ets.org/toefl and mailing it to the address on the form. If you have a valid credit/debit card, you can register over the phone by calling 1-443-751-4862 (outside the U.S.) or 1-800-468-6335 (inside the U.S.). Speak to your language teacher or school for more information about how to register.
6. How much does it cost?
The TOEFL iBT test fees can vary depending on which country your are in. For specific cost information, contact ETS at http://www.ets.org/toefl or contact a TOEFL iBT Regional Registration office.
7. Where can I take the TOEFL iBT?
You can take the TOEFL iBT test at any authorized TOEFL test site. There are thousands of test sites around the worl, and more are opened each week. To find the one nearest to you visit the ETS TOEFL website.