TOEFL - Test of English As a Second Language

TOEFL or Test of English as a Second Language is a test registered to Educational Testing Services (ETS) that is administered worldwide to evaluate the ability of an individual to use and understand English. The test is primarily used by academic institutions to measure the English ability of prospective college students of reading, listening, speaking and writing.

In the past the TOEFL exam was a paper based test, however since 2005 it has become exclusively delivered via the Internet. To register for the test there are three primary steps you must follow. You must register and receive an ETS id number. After, choose the test day and time that best suits your needs. There are many test sites and many times throughout the week that the test is being offered. Many English Language Schools and colleges and universities through out the world offer the IBT TOEFL test. The current price for the test is $170.00 and payments can be made directly to ETS through their website.

As the IBT TOEFL is the English language standard by which colleges and universities decide on acceptance it is important to study hard for the test. The TOEFL test is not pass or fail. Each individual institution that uses the TOEFL score sets up their own standard of admittance. One school may accept candidates with a score of 70 other colleges may only accept candidates with a score of 80 and above.

Preparing for the TOEFL class can be done individually as there are many books and third party resources to help someone study. Due to the importance and high demand of a good TOEFL score schools and colleges have created classes built around strategies for passing the TOEFL successfully. These classes usually follow the guidelines and framework of the test and your study id focused on each of the four content areas.

The Reading Section consists of 3 to 5 passages and you are responsible for answering academic questions based on those readings.

The Listening Section consists of 6 passages 3-5 minutes in length and then test takers are required to answer questions based on the listened information. There is a mandatory 10 minute break after the listening section.

The Speaking section is consists of 6 Questions that test takers answer by speaking and being recorded.

The Writing Section involves measuring the test takers ability to read and listen to information and then write about it.

Students can take the TOEFL test as many times as they want, but most colleges only accept the most recent scores. The entire test lasts about 4 hours and all sections are completed together.

TOEFL - Test of English As a Second Language