TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a standardized test designed to measure the English proficiency of non-native speakers who wish to enroll in English-speaking universities. The TOEFL results are accepted in more than 11,000 universities and other institutions in over 150 countries.
Typically, students who want to enroll in universities at different levels appear for TOEFL, but anyone who needs to demonstrate proficiency in the English language can take the test. This can include anyone applying to a foreign school or college, exchange program, or for a student visa.
About TOEFL
The TOEFL test was developed in the early 1960s to assess the English proficiency of non-native speakers who intend to study in institutions where English is the language of instruction. In 1965, the Education Testing Service (ETS) and the College Board took over the administration of TOEFL. Since its origin, the TOEFL exam structure has gone through multiple revisions to keep the test format up to date.
Why should you take TOEFL?
People who have studied English for years, too, can struggle with the academic language, given it is more formal than the conversational English they are accustomed to. Therefore, universities and the Admissions Committees want to determine whether you can handle an English-based program's course load.
This is where the TOEFL scores come into play and serve as the standardized metric for your English proficiency assessment. Most schools and colleges accept the scores from TOEFL, making it one of the most popular English-language assessment tests.
Here are some more reasons you should take the TOEFL exam:
Worldwide Recognition
As one of the most popular language tests, TOEFL is recognized by numerous universities and schools worldwide. Therefore, passing the TOEFL exam ensures your English level will be recognized worldwide.
Universally certified
The exam is accepted everywhere, including the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and even top universities in Europe and Asia. If you wish to apply to multiple universities in different countries, the TOEFL exam is a great way to keep all your options open.
Priority with schools in the US and Canada
In Canada, the TOEFL exam is not just accepted; it’s preferred by over 80% of graduate programs. Even universities in the USA demonstrate a preference for the TOEFL score over other English language certificates.
Boost your career chances
If you’re interested in working abroad, you should take the TOEFL exam. Employers will be glad to see concrete proof of your proficiency in English. Even though it’s not a mandate, it does give you a competitive edge over other candidates.
Certify your language proficiency
Wanting to study or work abroad is the most common reason to take the TOEFL exam. Obtaining a TOEFL score allows you to evaluate and certify your English proficiency at a point in time, not necessarily for studying abroad.
Improve your resume
Passing the TOEFL exam allows you to attest and certify your language proficiency and concretize it by a specific score you can mention on your resume. This helps the recruiter and officers assess your level more precisely.
TOEFL Test Format
TOEFL assesses your English proficiency through four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
Sections with Duration | Test Description |
Reading (54-72 minutes) | Encompasses reading 3-4 passages from the academic texts and answering questions (30-40 questions) |
Listening (41-57 minutes) | Listening to lectures, conversations, discussions, and answering questions (30-40 questions) |
Speaking (17 minutes) | Expressing opinions on a familiar topic and speaking based on the reading and listening task (4 tasks) |
Writing (50 minutes) | Writing essay responses (2 tasks) |
Reading Section
This section evaluates skills in understanding long texts and comprehension. It assesses how the candidate reacts to complex sentence structures, vocabulary, narration styles, unfamiliar content, and a host of other things. The questions are based on excerpts from academic passages. The section usually has three formats on which the questions are based:
Traditional multiple-choice questions with four choices and a single correct answer
Sentence-insertion questions wherein you are required to choose the best phrase from the given four options
Questions that have more than four choices and multiple correct answers
Speaking Section
This section assesses your fluency in the English language. This is considered one of the most challenging sections of the exam as it requires quick thinking, analysis, and articulation of ideas to answer. This section also assesses whether you are comfortable speaking and understanding conversational and class-level English. Two standard formats of questions are:
Independent speaking, where you are required to speak about their opinions, ideas, and experiences. This usually includes introductory questions that help the assessor know the person and their speaking style.
Integrated speaking tasks that are a blend of two or more skills of English, such as reading and listening.
Listening Section
This section aims to evaluate how well you understand spoken English comprehensively. This helps the evaluator assess how you will react in an academic environment where lectures deal with diverse and complex information, including complex sentence structures, vocabulary, etc. Usually, the questions have the following format:
Traditional multiple choice questions with a single correct option
Multiple choice questions with more than one correct option
Arranging the given events according to the recording
Matching questions that require you to check categories with relevant tasks and phrases.
Writing Section
This section evaluates your ability to write correct, error-free, and coherent passages. It also assesses skills of idea phrasing, making information cohesive, argument-formation, and conclusions. This section can have the following types of tasks:
Integrated Writing Task - You hear 20 minutes of recording and read a 200-300 word passage, and based on your understanding, you write about how they are related to each other. You can take notes, and there is no correct or incorrect answer.
Independent Writing Task - In this, you are required to express your opinion about a particular issue or topic in a minimum of 300 words. This helps the evaluators gauge your grammar skills, writing in a structured manner, capacity to support a claim, detailing, sentence construction, and much more.
TOEFL Testing Options
TOEFL provides you with three different testing options:
The TOEFL iBT test in a test center
Authorized TOEFL iBT test centers are open in locations around the world. The test dates and openings can vary by location, local conditions, and government requirements. Check the available test centers and dates before preparing for the exam. Also, look for any specific procedures you need to keep in check before appearing for the exam.
The TOEFL iBT Home Edition
The TOEFL iBTHome Edition is the same as the TOEFL iBT test you would take at the test center, just taken from the privacy of your own home and monitored by a human proctor. However, before registering for the Home Edition, review and meet the “Home Testing Environment and Equipment Requirements.” It is available 24 hours a day, four days a week.
The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition
You can take the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition in select countries if you prefer the testing format. The paper edition is the same 4-skills test, just delivered on paper and given in 2 testing sessions:
The Reading, Listening, and Writing sections are taken on paper at a test center.
The Speaking section is taken home on your computer and monitored online by a human proctor within three days after the paper sections.
TOEFL Eligibility Criteria
There are some prerequisites that the candidate must fulfill to appear for the TOEFL exams. The eligibility criteria for writing the TOEFL exam:
There is no age limit to taking the TOEFL exam.
The candidate must have a 10+2 qualification from a recognized Indian Board to be eligible.
How to prepare for TOEFL?
Official practice tests
One of the best ways to prepare for the exam is to take the official tests available on the TOEFL website. Taking practice tests is paramount to your preparation for an exam. Create an ideal exam environment and take practice tests to help you assess your strengths and weaknesses. This enables you to measure your progress better! You can find the tests here: https://www.ets.org/s/toefl/free-practice/start.html.
Familiarize yourself with the format
The foremost preparation tip is to familiarize yourself with the test format, which includes different sections and their content - reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Go through the TOEFL website to find details about the test centers' formats, timings, content, and slot availability.
Map out an ideal score
Different people appear for the TOEFL exam for various purposes, requiring different minimum scores. Be clear in your mind about the meaning behind giving the test, and map out the ideal score you’ll need to reach your goal. Make sure the plan is realistic and achievable. Let this score serve as your daily dose of motivation to study harder.
Study guide
Once you’re familiar with the test format and sections, you can get a study guidebook to provide you with tips and tricks that can help you navigate your way better through each section. They also have sample tests you can practice on and better assess your strengths and weaknesses.
Practice reading
The Reading section of the TOEFL exam will require you to read some passages and answer questions based on them. The topics are usually in non-technical language, making them easier to read. However, we recommend practicing English reading to help you smoothly sail through the section. Devote a minimum of 30 minutes to diverse topics to help you familiarize yourself with different issues and help you maintain a better focus and attention.
Practice listening
The listening section of the TOEFL exams requires you to listen to different people speaking in monologues and dialogues and answer the following questions. While you practice listening, make sure you focus on various aspects of the dialogue, like the main idea, purpose, transitions, and intonations of dialogue. We would recommend listening to native speakers.
Timed writing
The writing section of the TOEFL exam requires you to write two essays in 50 minutes, which precisely means 25 minutes for each piece—practicing essay writing while timing is an ideal way to prepare for this. Make sure you choose diverse topics to write on and review your grammar and spelling, even during the timed writing practices.
Take practice tests
Taking practice tests is paramount to your preparation for an exam. Create an ideal exam environment and take practice tests to help you assess your strengths and weaknesses. This enables you to measure your progress better!
Sources: https://toefltest.in/
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