About TOEFL

Please note: ETS introduces TOEFL online test at home from April 2

WHAT IS THE TOEFL™?

A standardized test, the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL™) assesses the English proficiency of applicants, whose native language does not happen to be English. It tests the ability to understand North American English. Most educational institutes in US and Canada (approximately 2400) ask applicants for their TOEFL™ Scores. Most applicants take the TOEFL™ test as a prerequisite for admission into colleges and universities where English is used or required. In addition, many government, licensing, and certification agencies and exchange and scholarship programs use TOEFL™ scores to evaluate the English proficiency of people for whom English is not their native language.

The TOEFL™ Internet-based Test (TOEFL™ iBT) tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing. The structure of the TOEFL™ iBT is as follows:

READING (54-72 min) (30-40 questions) (0-30 scoring scale) 3-4 passages from academic texts; approx 700 word long with 10 questions per passage.

LISTENING (41-57 min) (28-39 questions) (0-30 scoring scale) 3-4 lectures each 3-5 min long with 6 questions each; 2-3 conversations, each 3 minutes long with 5 questions each.

SPEAKING (17 min) (4 tasks) (0-30 scoring scale) 1 task to express an opinion on a topic; 3 tasks to speak based on what is read and listened to.

WRITING (50 min) (2 tasks) (0-5 points converted to 0-30 scoring scale) 1 task to write based on what is read or listened to; 1 task to support an opinion on a topic.

The US-based "Educational Testing Service" (ETS), develops and administers the TOEFL™. ETS is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to each examinee. For detailed information about TOEFL, please refer to the official website of TOEFL™ www.toefl.org

What is the scoring scale for the TOEFL™ iBT Test?

1. Scoring is between 0 (Minimum) and 120 (Maximum) with 1-point increment. Four scores are reported on the TOEFL™:
2. Reading score reported on a 0-30 score scale.
3. Listening score reported on a 0-30 score scale.
4. Writing score reported on a 0-30 score scale.
5. Speaking score reported on a 0-30 score scale.