The TOEFL test

                                                          

The TOEFL test

         

          The Test of English as a Foreign Language [TOEFL] is a requirement for all aspiring for higher studies in the U.S and is one of the major factors that determine whether the univerisities would financially aid the student if he/she gets admitted. TOEFL Bulletins can be obtained through the Internet from <http://www.toefl.org> or by dropping a self addressed envelope in the US Educational Foundation at Mount Road.

TOEFL is a computer based test and has 4 sections that will be taken in the same order by the student as below.

* indicates Computer Adaptive - Successive questions increase or decrease in difficulty level based on whether the answer to the present question is right or wrong. Generally, take more time for the first few questions and make sure you answer them correctly -- same applies to GRE

Listening* - measures the ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America. A passage/lecture or a conversation between two would be read out and questions would be asked based on this. While the passage or conversation has to be heard with headphones, the questions and answer choices appear both on screen and can also be heard. Takes about 50 minutes and is the first section. Concentration is required most in this section.

Structure* - measures the ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard written English; this sections tests the student's grammar.

Reading - measures the ability to recognize short passages similar in topic and style to North American colleges and universities. Reading Comprehension is NOT computer Adaptive. There will be 4 passages with about 11 questions in each passage. Also one can always get back to the first question and recheck after finishing the 44 questions[ ONLY SECTION with such an option ]. You will have sufficient time to work this out eventhough its easy. So take your own time and make sure you dont lose your score here.

Writing Assessment- measures the ability to write in English. An essay must be composed within 30 minutes on a topic given at that time [ last section of TOEFL ]. Can be typed or written on a separate sheet of paper. No word limit. But coherence and flow of thought is important apart from Grammar and use of words.

TOEFL Powerprep CD from ETS and Barron's TOEFL with cassettes are sufficient for TOEFL. A week's preparation is generally more than what is required. The Powerprep tests may be shorter than the actual test[ though the interface is exactly the same] especially in the Listening section. The score would be displayed as a range out of 300; for eg, 230 - 287 out of 300 as the writing assessment would not have been reviewuated by the computer. The exact score would be mailed by ETS in 4 weeks time.