English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the proficiency of an individual’s English. Over six thousand colleges and universities around the world accept the TOEFL. The TOEFL covers both written skills and verbal skills. You can either take a paper-based test or an Internet-based test. The format of the test depends on the location of your testing center. Scoring differs between the Internet-based test and the paper-based test, but there are charts that convert the scores between the two. The skills test also differ between the two tests: the paper-based test measures an individual’s proficiency in listening, reading, and writing; the Internet-based test measures an individual’s proficiency in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
In Internet-based test was introduced in 2005, and it has gradually replaced the prior computer-based test throughout the United States and Europe. Testing centers offering the Internet-based test have experienced high demand for the limited seats. The seats in the centers frequently are filled months before the test. The reading section is one hour long and consists of three to five passages and thirty-nine questions; the listening section is fifty minutes long and consists of six passages and thirty-four passages; the speaking section consists of six questions and is twenty minutes long; the writing section is composed of six questions and is fifty-five minutes long.
The listening section is composed of six sections, two of which are student conversations and the remaining four of which are lectures. Test takers are asked to answer questions about the content and the structure of the passages.
The speaking section is divided into three parts. One part of the speaking section is composed of two opinion questions. In another part, the individual is asked questions about how the content of a written passage and a listening passage relate. In the last part, the individual is asked questions and summarizes the contents of long listening passages.
The writing section is divided into two tasks. One task requires that an individual write a personal essay. The other task requires that the individual write an essay based on how two passages—one written and one verbal—relate.
The paper-based test is similar to the Internet-based test. It lasts less than four hours, and it tests listening, reading, and writing. The listening portion of the test contains questions about short, medium, and long conversations. The reading portion contains questions about academic passages and about grammar correctness. Finally, the writing portion consists of one essay.
There are many ways to prepare for the TOEFL. You can purchase a TOEFL preparation book and take practice tests. You can also take a preparation course. It is best to prepare intensively for two to four months before you take the test. You should also take as many tests in actual testing conditions to prepare yourself for the actual testing day.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the proficiency of an individual’s English. Over six thousand colleges and universities around the world accept the TOEFL. The TOEFL covers both written skills and verbal skills. You can either take a paper-based test or an Internet-based test. The format of the test depends on the location of your testing center. Scoring differs between the Internet-based test and the paper-based test, but there are charts that convert the scores between the two. The skills test also differ between the two tests: the paper-based test measures an individual’s proficiency in listening, reading, and writing; the Internet-based test measures an individual’s proficiency in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
In Internet-based test was introduced in 2005, and it has gradually replaced the prior computer-based test throughout the United States and Europe. Testing centers offering the Internet-based test have experienced high demand for the limited seats. The seats in the centers frequently are filled months before the test. The reading section is one hour long and consists of three to five passages and thirty-nine questions; the listening section is fifty minutes long and consists of six passages and thirty-four passages; the speaking section consists of six questions and is twenty minutes long; the writing section is composed of six questions and is fifty-five minutes long.
Passages in the reading section are either taken or based on texts that are found in undergraduate textbooks. The reading section includes questions that measure an individual’s ability to draw inferences, to define vocabulary, and to complete or to insert vocabulary words into a passage. The TOEFL has also added new question types that focus on paraphrasing or summarizing the passage.
The listening section is composed of six sections, two of which are student conversations and the remaining four of which are lectures. Test takers are asked to answer questions about the content and the structure of the passages.
The speaking section is divided into three parts. One part of the speaking section is composed of two opinion questions. In another part, the individual is asked questions about how the content of a written passage and a listening passage relate. In the last part, the individual is asked questions and summarizes the contents of long listening passages.
The writing section is divided into two tasks. One task requires that an individual write a personal essay. The other task requires that the individual write an essay based on how two passages—one written and one verbal—relate.
The paper-based test is similar to the Internet-based test. It lasts less than four hours, and it tests listening, reading, and writing. The listening portion of the test contains questions about short, medium, and long conversations. The reading portion contains questions about academic passages and about grammar correctness. Finally, the writing portion consists of one essay.
There are many ways to prepare for the TOEFL. You can purchase a TOEFL preparation book and take practice tests. You can also take a preparation course. It is best to prepare intensively for two to four months before you take the test. You should also take as many tests in actual testing conditions to prepare yourself for the actual testing day.
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