TOEFL Exam

An Introduction to TOEFL

TOEFL, which is the abbreviation of Test of English as a Foreign Language, is one of the most widely recognized standardized tests of proficiency in the English language for non-native students who want to study abroad in English-speaking universities and gain global exposure. This test helps universities to check students' understanding of applications and knowledge of the use of North American English at the university level. It generally measures whether aspiring students have the ability to combine their reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills of English as used in a college/university setting.

The TOEFL test is one of the two most recognizable English-language proficiency tests in the world; the other is IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Students who wish to enroll in college or university in the US and/or Canada must pass the TOEFL test as it is designed to test proficiency or understanding of North American English. Besides, students who wish to enroll in universities in other countries such as Australia and/or the UK must pass the IELTS test, although TOEFL is accepted there as well.

ETS, which is the abbreviation of Educational Testing Service, is the responsible organization known for developing and administering this TOEFL test; ETS decides the questions for the test, takes the appropriate steps to conduct the test, and then provides the result report to each test taker.

TOEFL Eligibility Criteria

It is worth noting that ETS, which is a private non-profit organization managing TOEFL, has not set any eligibility criteria for this test. It is just a language test to check proficiency in the English language and can be taken by anyone who wants to gain global experience by visiting another country for study or work purposes. Students who wish to be admitted to a college, university, or organization in another country where English is the primary language for academic instruction must take this test and demonstrate their skills or knowledge. TOEFL exam can be taken by all students who have already completed their high school and equivalent.

Although there is no threshold or criterion for passing scores set by ETS, different colleges and universities have their own administrative criteria with minimum total scores. With these results, universities identify those who need more help in the English language.

Historical Development

The TOEFL exam, introduced in 1964, has evolved considerably over the past few decades. The exam is managed by ETS (Educational Testing Service). The primary purpose of this specific test/exam is to help non-native speakers with a standardized measurement of English language proficiency. TOEFL was initially offered in a paper-based form, but now after 2005, it has been updated to an internet-based form and is called TOEFL iBT. The updated version of the exam includes integrated tasks that measure all the essential skills of the English language, including reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Over time, TOEFL has become one of the most widely accepted exams to measure English proficiency globally. It is recognized by several institutions in over 150 countries.

TOEFL Exam/ Test Format & Content

The TOEFL exam is mainly designed to measure English language proficiency in all major departments, and therefore, this test is specifically divided into four areas. They are as follows:

1. Reading Section
   The first part of the TOEFL test is the Reading section. It consists of about two passages from academic texts with about 10 questions on each respective passage. Each paragraph is approximately 700 words long. This section measures the candidates' ability to comprehend written material. The questions are designed to check the candidates' skills in identifying the main ideas, extracting meaning, and summarizing the essential information from the given passages/paragraphs.
2. Listening Section
   In the second section, i.e., the Listening section, candidates are provided with lectures, class discussions, and conversations to listen to. After that, candidates are provided with a set of questions related to what they have heard. This section assesses the candidates' ability to understand spoken English in an academic setting. Candidates are required to identify the main ideas, recognize the speakers' attitude and purpose, and understand detailed information. These components are essential for testing skills required for academic discussions.
3. Speaking Section
   The Speaking section measures the candidates' ability to communicate with teachers and classmates in an academic setting. Candidates are given two main tasks: the independent task and the integrated task. The independent task requires the candidate to express their ideas or opinions on any familiar topic freely. The integrated task requires the candidate to combine English language skills and answer questions based on audio from the previous sections. Candidates speak into a microphone, and their answers are recorded as they speak.
4. Writing Section
   In the Writing section, candidates are given two main tasks: the Integrated Writing task and the Writing for Academic Discussion task. In the first task, candidates read a short paragraph, listen to audio, and briefly write down the ideas expressed through these mediums. In the second task, candidates express and support an opinion in an online discussion conducted in class. Candidates type their answers using a computer keyboard. This section measures whether candidates can write in an academic setting, presenting their thoughts or ideas in a precise, well-organized structure.

Note: To obtain the official score, candidates must answer at least one question from each section.

The Grading System and Total Duration of Each Section

As already mentioned, the TOEFL test is divided into four sections, each carrying 30 marks, and the combined total is 120. Each section has about 4 or 5 proficiency levels. There are no specific score ranges to determine passing or failing criteria. Instead, individual institutions determine their own criteria and how these scores will be used or interpreted.

Sections in the TOEFL Test	Questions	Estimated Time (In Minutes)	Level (Based on the Scores)
Reading	20	35	24 – 30: Advanced 18 – 23: High-Intermediate 4 – 17: Low-Intermediate 0 – 3: Below Low-Intermediate
Listening	28	40	22 – 30: Advanced 17 – 21: High-Intermediate 9 – 16: Low-Intermediate 0 – 8: Below Low-Intermediate
Speaking	4 Tasks	20	25 – 30: Advanced 20 – 24: High-Intermediate 16 – 19: Low-Intermediate 10 – 15: Basic 0 – 9: Below Basic
Writing	2 Tasks	30	24 – 30: Advanced 17 – 23: High-Intermediate 13 – 16: Low-Intermediate 7 – 12: Basic 0 – 6: Below Basic

The total duration of the TOEFL exam is about two and a half hours, with 30 minutes being spent on document verification, seating arrangements, and check-in for verified candidates. It is important to arrive 30 minutes before the exam time. Otherwise, the candidate may not be allowed to enter the test center.

The exam for TOEFL is conducted by ETS periodically throughout the year; the exam is conducted more than 50 times a year. Students can take the exam as many times as they want. However, it is important to note that there should be a gap of 12 days between two test dates; the student must wait for at least 12 days after taking the first test to apply for the test again.

TOEFL test results are usually circulated 10 days after the date the test was conducted. If candidates have opted to receive the result by mail, it may take around 13 days after the test date to receive the result by email.

Benefits of TOEFL

The TOEFL test has many benefits, giving non-native English speakers the opportunity to prove their proficiency so they can gain admission to English-speaking universities abroad. In addition, it has become a popular choice of measurement for many organizations internationally.

1. Academic Focus

   The primary purpose of the TOEFL is to measure the English language proficiency of non-native speakers in an academic setting, thereby helping English-speaking universities ensure that test takers are well-prepared to adjust to the language used within the University for the chosen Course. With TOEFL preparation, candidates become equipped with the necessary skills that prove beneficial for them to read and understand academic materials and lectures as well as write research papers.

2. Global Recognition & Acceptance

   The TOEFL has become one of the most widely accepted tests for testing English language proficiency and is currently recognized by over 11,000 universities and organizations worldwide. In most countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, scores from this test are accepted for admission purposes to undergraduate and/or postgraduate courses. TOEFL scores are also used for visa applications in many countries.

3. Comprehensive Assessment

   The structure of the TOEFL test is designed in such a way that it covers all the skills of the English language, such as reading, speaking, listening, and writing, and provides a complete assessment. With the structure of the TOEFL, it becomes easier for universities or institutions to accurately measure the abilities of candidates for academic settings.

4. Online Test Option

   TOEFL has integrated an online test facility for students that allows them to take the test directly from the comfort of their homes. This eliminates the need for them to travel anywhere and also allows them to complete the test in a familiar environment. Moreover, the online option also allows candidates to choose dates based on their preference, making it even more flexible to take TOEFL conveniently.

5. Detailed Feedback

   Those who have taken the test are provided with detailed results and reports that help them measure their shortcomings in the specific section. Such summarized reports help test takers find out the areas where they need to work more to prepare themselves for the academic setting. Moreover, the detailed reports also prove to be beneficial for instructors or teachers who are assisting those students to teach them better based on their weak areas, thereby further enhancing their English skills.

6. TOEFL Validity

   The scores obtained by taking the TOEFL test are valid for two years, allowing candidates to get admission to the desired universities within this time frame. This usually provides flexibility and convenience to students if they wish to apply to multiple universities or institutions within two years.