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One of the foremost questions on any international student’s mind is “What is the TOEFL test and why do I need to take it anyway?”
The TOEFL test stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language™. The test is administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service). Although all U.S. colleges and universities desire to enrich their student body with international students, they also need to ensure that new students be able to actively communicate within and contribute to their U.S. university setting. The TOEFL test is an effective way for colleges to measure your English language aptitude.
According to the ETS, more than 6,000 institutions and agencies in 110 countries use the TOEFL test to gauge potential students’ English-language skills. The TOEFL test is the prevalent method to help gain admittance to any accredited top college in the USA.
You can take the TOEFL test in three formats: computer-based test (CBT), paper-based test (PBT), or the new Internet-based test (iBT). You will be required to take one of these tests, based on what your local testing center is able to provide. Although the standard is quickly defaulting to the new iBT, select locations may only be capable of offering CBT or PBT formats.
The new iBT is unique because it’s one of the only large-scale standardized tests to effectively gauge all four language skills! This means it includes an actual academic speaking test (TAST: TOEFL Academic Speaking Test), as well as the standard reading, listening, and writing skills tests. The speaking portion of the TOEFL test consists of a short series of questions that are conducted during a 20-minute telephone conversation.
Is There a Free TOEFL Practice Test?
ETS offers a wealth of helpful information on their Web site about free TOEFL test preparation, including access to test information, sample questions, as well as valuable access to their free TOEFL Practice Test Online Community. As a member of the online community, you’ll have access to study tips, discussion boards, and sample test responses. It features access to an iBT sampler to that covers all four sections of the Internet-based test, including interactive sessions for the reading and listening tests! You can also review sample questions and responses for the writing and speaking tests. Joining the free TOEFL practice test online community is a “must” for anyone who is planning to take the TOEFL.
The ETS Web site itself also provides you with free TOEFL test samples, featuring in-depth questions as well as an answer key for all four sections of the iBT: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Note: to locate this area of their Web site, you’ll need to login from your chosen geographical location to continue.
Aside from their free TOEFL test samples, paid practice tests from ETS start at just $5.95 for a reading skills test. At the other end of the spectrum, comprehensive TOEFL practice tests are also available for $34.95. These paid tests are an excellent preparation method, offering instant scores and feedback that feature real questions from past tests.
What Other Ways Can I Prepare for the TOEFL Test?
Aside from taking a paid or free TOEFL practice test, there are a variety of other ways to start your TOEFL preparation. One of the best ways to brush up on your ESL (English as a second language) skills is to try to immerse yourself within the English language as much as possible. The more you practice, the more proficient you’ll become! Try out these ideas for improving your ESL skills:
- Visit Other English-Language Resources
The Internet offers many helpful language resources to study for your TOEFL test. Web sites such as Om Audio allow you to customize listening sessions, and ESL independent study labs provide access to more than 225 sources and tools to improve proficiency.
- Watch English-Language Films or Television Stations
Is it easy for you to follow along when you watch English-language movies or television? Listening to native English speakers will offer you intuitive, firsthand access into what it might be like to converse with students and faculty at your U.S. school.
- Follow English-Speaking News Sources
Reading or watching the news can not only keep you up to date with current events, but news sources often also use speech and writing styles that will be very similar to what you’ll experience in the U.S. academic world.
- Talk to People!
From the local English teacher at your school to friends and family, talking to people in English is probably the best way to start feeling comfortable with the language. See if you can find a friend to practice your language skills with.
- Take Advantage of the Internet
From chat rooms to discussion forums, the Internet offers a wealth of opportunity for communicating with others in English, allowing you to practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills—all of which apply to the TOEFL.
How is the TOEFL Test Scored?
Each section of the iBT (reading, writing, listening and speaking) is worth 30 points, for a total of 120 points:
- Reading 0–30
- Listening 0–30
- Speaking 0–30
- Writing 0–30
- Total Score 0–120
Individual U.S. colleges and universities will have different standards for their desired scores. Contact them for their specific admissions requirements.
What Else Do I Need to Know about Studying in the United States?
At USA Education Guides, we offer international students a complete Guide to Studying in the United States. Within these pages, you can learn practically everything you need to know about top colleges in the USA, from finding a basic overview of the United States as a whole, to learning about the U.S. system of education.
We also offer specialized profiles of every top college in the USA—to search for your preferred school, just follow this link: Study Abroad School Search.
You can search for schools by major, location, areas of study, and more. Let USA Education Guides help you discover all of the exciting choices a college or university in the United States has to offer!
More Information from USA Education Guides
In addition to offering information and resources to help prepare students for the TOEFL test, USA Education Guides also offers the following information to help you prepare for your study tour in America:
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