How to pass TOEFL

What is the TOEFL test?

The TOEFL test is the most widely accepted English-language assessment in the world and is recognized in more than 130 countries.

The TOEFL test is accepted at more than 8,500 institutions, including the most prestigious institutions in Australia, the UK, Canada and the United States. Ninety percent of TOEFL test takers were admitted into their first or second university choice.

For nearly 50 years, the TOEFL test has offered an authentic, fair and objective assessment for institutions to use to assess English-language proficiency. It measures reading, writing, speaking and listening: the four skills students need to succeed in an academic environment. 

The TOEFL test closely measures those English-language skills that students need to have in order to succeed in the classroom. It assesses how well you read, listen, speak and write in English and integrate these skills for communicative purposes. For example, students might be asked to read a passage, listen to a lecture on the same topic and then speak or write to integrate the information from both sources. Through preparing for and taking the TOEFL iBT test that assesses “real-life” communication skills, students are aware what is expected to thrive in an academic environment.

Where is the TOEFL test accepted?

The TOEFL test is accepted at more institutions than any other English-language assessment. To date, more than 8,500 institutions accept the TOEFL test in more than 130 countries. The number of institutions accepting the TOEFL test continues to grow. The TOEFL test is also used by immigration agencies (United Kingdom Border Agency and Australia) and scholarship agencies (like Fulbright) to demonstrate English-language proficiency. A complete listing of the institutions that recognize the TOEFL test is available on the TOEFL Destination Directory available at http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/univ0708.pdf.

What are the advantages of taking the TOEFL test?

The TOEFL test is the most widely accepted English-language assessment worldwide. As a student, this means you only need to take one English-language assessment to apply to nearly every college or university no matter if it is in Australia, the UK, Canada or the US.

The TOEFL test is also the most accessible English-language assessment. There are more than 4,500 testing sites in more than 165 countries. Students can complete the assessment in half a day, not requiring additional expense for additional lodging or travel.

What is the cost of the TOEFL test?

The TOEFL test costs US $165 or approximately Rs 7,500. Indian students now have the option to pay in rupees, through our online registration system.

Does TOEFL offer any Scholarships in India?

We were very pleased to host the TOEFL Scholarship Program for the third year in a row in India this year.  The 2013 TOEFL Scholarship Program will be announced in the near future.

Have there been any changes made to the TOEFL test?

Last November, the TOEFL iBT Reading section was shortened and now consists of a maximum of four passages instead of five.

In addition, all of the reading passages and questions will be made available to students in a single block of time. This change to the format allows students to pace themselves better. They can now skip questions and go back later to review them, and change their responses. This change has been welcomed by TOEFL test takers. Students can also now receive their scores electronically in approximately 10 days.

What is the difference between TOEFL, IELTS and the Pearson Test of English?

The TOEFL test is accepted at more institutions around the world than any other English-language assessment. The TOEFL test measures the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) needed to succeed in an academic environment. It provides a more accurate measure of a student’s ability to succeed in an academic setting. The TOEFL test simulates real-world academic tasks, such as reading and summarizing a passage (reading and writing).

The TOEFL test also separates the testing and marking processes to ensure secure, unbiased and fair scores. The scoring process used by the TOEFL test is consistent for all students.

The TOEFL review process also involves multiple raters for each test taker, rather than depending on the opinion of one person. For example, the speaking section is marked by 36 different highly-trained individuals. Each reviewer is calibrated multiple times each day. The TOEFL test incorporates both human and automated scoring to provide the highest standard of reliability, accuracy and fairness in a timely fashion. As a student, this means you can be confident that your score is fair and objective.
 
 How can one prepare for the TOEFL Test?

The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test, Fourth Edition is hot off the press. This bestselling guide has three full-length tests, hundreds of authentic test questions and essay topics, plus valuable tips to help you prepare for success! It is designed by ETS, the developer of the TOEFL test.

More information regarding TOEFL Prep materials is available at  http://www.toeflgoanywhere.org/content/toeflC2AE-test-prep-official-tools-help-you-prepare.

In addition, ETS has developed a website to assist TOEFL test takers. The TOEFL Go Anywhere website, available at www.TOEFLGoAnywhere.org has sample test questions and free study resources, including videos to help students prepare for the TOEFL test.