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TOEFL® (The Test of English as a Foreign Language)
The TOEFL® test is designed for students whose first language is not English and who need to meet English-language proficiency requirements for university applications and admissions. Look at our Featured Programs
Who should take it:
The TOEFL® test is designed for students whose first language is not English and who need to meet English-language proficiency requirements for university applications and admissions.
Where to apply:
Educational Testing Service
Rosedale Road
Princeton, NJ 08541
Phone: +1 (609) 921-9000
“The TOEFL® test can take you anywhere.”
Regardless of which university you plan to attend, postgraduate programs will require you to present test scores that demonstrate your readiness for study. The TOEFL ® (Test of English as a Foreign Language™) test is the most widely required for U.S. admissions and has been taken by more than 20 million students worldwide.
The TOEFL test is accepted by more than 6,000 institutions in 130 countries. So, by scoring well on the TOEFL test, you’ll be eligible for admission to virtually any school in the world. You can view the list of universities that accept TOEFL scores and register for the test at www.ets.org/toefl/register/susa.
Key TOEFL test facts:
- measures the English-language skills you need to study abroad
- demonstrates your academic readiness
- is designed to be objective and unbiased — the latest research is used to create a test where students can compete equally and fairly
The TOEFL Internet-based (iBT) test consists of 4 sections: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. All 4 sections are taken on the same day. The entire test is about 4 hours long. What is most unique about the test is that it asks you to combine, or integrate, more than 1 language skill, just like you do every day. As an example, the test may have you:
- read a passage
- listen to a short lecture about a topic
- speak or write a responses to what you listened to
And you can take notes throughout the entire test just like you would in a real academic class.
This chart shows the range of questions and the timing for each section.
| Test Section | Number of Questions | Timing | Score Scales |
| Reading | 3-5 passages, 12-14 questions each | 60-100 minutes | 0-30 |
| Listening | 4-6 lectures, 6 questions each, 2-3 conversations, 5 questions each | 60-90 minutes | 0-30 |
| uot; valign="middle" bgcolor="#ffff66">BREAK | 10 minutes | ||
| Speaking | 6 tasks, 2 independent and 4 integrated | 20 minutes | 0-30 |
| Writing | 1 integrated task 1 independent task |
20 minutes
|
0-30 |
| Total | 4 hours | 0-120 |
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 simulates real university classrooms and life, proves you can communicate your ideas and confirms you are prepared to begin your academic studies.
Practice for the TOEFL test
TOEFL ® Practice Online is the official test preparation website for the TOEFL iBT. The Official Guide to the New TOEFL® iBT is also available for study. Find out more! www.ets.org/toefl/practice/susa
Register for the TOEFL test
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.
- View your scores online 15 days after you take the test.
- Your score report gives you feedback on how to improve your skills.
- ETS will also send you a paper score report for your records.
It’s important to get started soon, since test centers fill up quickly. Register NOW at www.ets.org/toefl/register/susa. For more information about the TOEFL test, visit www.ets.org/toefl/susa.
Copyright © 2009 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING. and TOEFL are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS) in the United States and other countries. TOEFL IBT is a trademark of ETS.
TOEFL® iBT Study Tips
Step 1: Learn how to do well on the TOEFL iBT
By scoring well on the TOEFL iBT™, you can be eligible for admission to virtually any school in the United States. For helpful tips to get the best score, visit the TOEFL® website at www.ets.org/toefl/susa and download TOEFL iBT Tips.
You can also find helpful tips in video format on TOEFL® TV Channel on YouTube®. There you will find tips created by English language teachers and students like you.
Review the Speaking and Writing Scoring Guides located in the back of the TOEFL iBT Tips document to understand how your responses will be evaluated.
Step 2: Take a practice test
Go to TOEFL® Practice Online at www.ets.org/toefl/practice/susa. TOEFL® Practice Online offers authentic test materials from ETS that provides you with actual TOEFL iBT testing experience covering all 4 skills (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing). Take a practice test to preview your performance level and get instant scores and feedback on your performance. Your membership to TOEFL Practice Online is free. Sign up at www.ets.org/toefl/practice/susa.
Step 3: Build up your weaker skills
Follow the skill-specific suggestions in TOEFL iBT Tips and use the targeted practice on TOEFL Practice Online to focus on the skills you need to improve most and monitor your progress. You can also take a complete practice test to confirm you are ready for test day. Supplement your practice with The Official Guide to the New TOEFL® iBT from ETS and McGraw-Hill, available in book and downloadable eBook formats at www.ets.org/toefl/guide/susa.
Step 4: Use good test-taking strategies on test day
Follow directions carefully in each section to avoid wasting time. Select Help to review directions only when absolutely necessary because the clock will not stop while the Help function is being used.
Do not become overwhelmed or panic. Concentrate fully on the current test question and not on other questions you may have answered. This is a good test-taking strategy that can be learned through practice and helps you to focus.
Avoid spending too much time on any one test question. If you have given the question some thought and you still do not know the answer, eliminate as many choices as possible, then select the best choice. Remember to pace yourself so you have enough time to answer every question. Be aware of the time limit for each section and budget your time to avoid having to rush at the end of the test. Visit www.ets.org/toefl/susa today!
Copyright © 2009 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING. and TOEFL are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS). TOEFL IBT is a trademark of ETS. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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