The TOEFL® exam

The TOEFL® exam

                                           

The TOEFL® exam

Test Of English as Foreign Language. 

The essential exam for entry to universities in the United States. Academic language.

Who is it for?

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written and heard in college and university settings. Most people who take the TOEFL test are planning to study at colleges and universities where instruction is in English. In addition, many government agencies, scholarship programs, and licensing/certification agencies use TOEFL scores to evaluate English proficiency.

Versions of the TOEFL® test

You can do the test on paper or on a computer, depending where you live. The test comes in two formats:

1. computer-based test (iBT)
2. paper-based test (PBT)

The iBT is available in most countries. If it is available at your local center then you will have to do it. If not you will do the PBT.

There is also an exam for younger students called TOEFL Junior®.

Where do I take the test?

At a test center in your country. The test is organized by the Educational Testing Service. You can register for the TOEFL iBT® online.

  

TOEFL® Listening

Academic Listening Skills

The Listening section measures test takers’ ability to understand spoken English from North America and other English-speaking countries. In academic environments students need to listen to lectures and conversations. Below are three possible purposes for academic listening.

Listening purposes include

1. Listening for basic comprehension
2. Listening for pragmatic understanding
3. Connecting and synthesizing information

Listening Section Format

Listening materials in the new test include academic lectures and long conversations in which the speech sounds very natural. Test takers can take notes on any listening material throughout the entire test.

Listening Material	Number of questions	Timing
4–6 lectures, 3–5 minutes long each About 500 words	6 questions per lecture	60-90 minutes
2–3 conversations, about 3 minutes long, about 12–25 exchanges	5 questions per conversation

   TOEFL® Reading

Academic Reading Skills

The Reading section measures test takers’ ability to understand university-level academic texts and passages. In English-speaking academic environments students are expected to read and understand information from textbooks and other types of academic material. Below are three possible purposes for academic reading.

Reading purposes include

1. Reading to find information
2. Basic comprehension
3. Reading to learn

Reading Section Format

The TOEFL iBT test includes three basic categories of academic texts.

1. Exposition
2. Argumentation
3. Historical biographical/event narrative

Test takers do not need any special background knowledge to correctly answer the questions in the Reading section; all the information needed to answer the questions is contained in the passages.

Test takers must read through or scroll to the end of each passage before receiving questions on that passage.

Length of passage	Number of passages and questions	Timing
Approximately 700 words	3-5 passages 12-14 questions per passage	60-100 minutes

TOEFL® Vocabulary

There is no specific vocabulary section in the TOEFL test but you will need to understand and be able to use a large number of words to do well in all sections of the exam.

As TOEFL is an academic test you should study the words in the Academic word list.

 Vocabulary learning tips

Read as much as possible. If you come across a word you don't know, write it down or look it up.

Use a dictionary. Many browsers include dictionaries. If you are reading online, you may be able to right-click on a word to look it up.

Sign up for a 'word a day' email.

Think of ways of remembering words. Do they sound like a word in your own language?

Remember words are often used together with other words. Try to learn these 'collocations'.

TOEFL iBT® Speaking Section

Academic Speaking Skills

The TOEFL speaking section takes 20 minutes to complete and contains 6 sections. It is done on a computer. Your answers are recorded and sent to ETS for marking.

The TOEFL speaking tests contain academic situations set both inside and outside the classroom

in classrooms, there are situations where you must:

• respond to questions
• contribute to class discussions
• read or listen to something and then summarize it
• give your opinion of topics under discussion

In situations outside the classroom, you need to:

• take part in conversations with administrative staff, such as at the library
• take part in casual conversations with other students
• give your opinion about something

Description of the speaking tasks

Independent Tasks

1. Personal Preference - Preparation time: 15 seconds Response time: 45 seconds
   this question will ask you to speak about a person, place, object or event that is familiar to you.
2. Choice - Preparation time: 15 seconds Response time: 45 seconds
   you will be presented with two situations or opinions. You'll be asked which you prefer and you need to explain your choice.

Integrated Tasks Read/Listen/Speak

3. Campus Situation Topic: Fit and Explain. Preparation time: 30 seconds Response time: 60 seconds

• A reading passage (75–100 words) presents a campus-related issue.
• A listening passage (60–80 seconds, 150–180 words) comments on the issue in the reading passage.
• The question asks the test taker to summarize the speaker’s opinion within the context of the reading passage.

4. Academic Course Topic: General/ Specific. Preparation time: 30 seconds Response time: 60 seconds

A reading passage (75–100 words) broadly defines a term, process, or idea from an academic subject.

An excerpt from a lecture (60–90 seconds; 150–220 words) provides examples and specific information to illustrate the term, process, or idea from the reading passage.

The question asks the test taker to combine and convey important information from the reading passage and the lecture excerpt.

Listen/Speak

5. Campus Situation Topic: Problem/ Solution. Preparation time: 20 seconds Response time: 60 seconds

• The listening passage (60–90 seconds; 180–220 words) is a conversation about a student-related problem and two possible solutions.
• The question asks the test taker to demonstrate an understanding of the problem and to express an opinion about solving the problem.

6. Academic Course Topic: Summary. Preparation time: 20 seconds Response time: 60 seconds

• The listening passage is an excerpt from a lecture (90–120 seconds; 230–280 words) that explains a term or concept and gives concrete examples to illustrate that term or concept.
• The question asks the test taker to summarize the lecture and demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the examples and the overall topic.

                            

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