Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Review on Successful Preparation for TOEFL

This comes as a sequel to my review on GRE. Since most of the US Universities require candidates to take GRE as well as TOEFL, I felt a need to put all my spade work at a place for others like me to use.

Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL as it is commonly known is used to evaluate the potential success of an individual to use and understand Standard American English at a college level. It is required for non-native applicants at many English-speaking colleges and universities (read most of the American Universities).

ETS or the Educational Testing Service , New Jersey is the body that governs TOEFL and a visit to its website is a must for candidates planning to take the TOEFL in near future.

If I were to quote ETS, over 6000 institutions across 110 countries use TOEFL as a measure to judge the proficiency in American English for applicants.

TOEFL has been conducted in 3 formats throughout the world: The Paper Based, the Computer based (stopped in September 2006) and the internet based (since 2005). Here is a little more about all 3 formats:

1. Internet Based (3.5 hours): Since its introduction in late 2005, the Internet-based test (iBT) has progressively replaced both the computer-based (CBT) and paper-based (PBT) tests.Not surprisingly, the demand for test seats remains very high even after almost a year after the introduction of the test. Candidates have to wait for months since short-term test dates are fully booked. The four-hour test consists of four sections, each measuring mainly one of the basic language skills (although some tasks may require multiple skills) and focusing on language used in an academic, higher-education environment. Note-taking is allowed in the iBT. The four sections are as follows:

(i). Reading: After each academic reading passage (out of 3–5), questions are posed about content, intent of the author, and ideas inferred from the passage. New types of questions in the iBT require paraphrasing, filling out tables, or completing summaries. Generally prior knowledge of the subject under discussion is not necessary to come to the correct answer.

(ii). Listening: Questions refer to the content and intent of the phrases, as well as to the speakers' attitude and meaning, either in short conversations or in lectures.

(iii). Speaking: New to the iBT, this section contains questions relating to personal experiences or preferences, as well as tasks that also involve reading passages and listening to short conversations and lectures. Test takers are expected to convey information, explain ideas, and defend opinions clearly, coherently, and accurately.

(iv). Writing: One task requires test takers to defend a position relative to a specified general topic. In the other task, a reading passage and a lecture are presented, and test takers must answer a question relating the main points of both the passage and the lecture. Note taking is allowed hence it may help.

1. Computer Based: This was brought to an end in September 2006 hence writing much about this may not be of much help. It was also divided into 4 sections and note taking was not allowed. The 4 sections were:

   
   




2. Listening Comprehension;2. Structure (Grammar);3. Reading Comprehension and vocabulary; and, 4. Essay Writing.

   
   




3. Paper Based: In areas where the iBT and CBT are not available, a paper-based test (PBT) is given. The PBT tests essentially the same skills as the CBT, albeit with some differences, noticeably the number of questions (which is higher in the PBT) and the score scales. The final PBT score ranges between 310 and 677 and is based on three subscores: Listening (31–68), Structure (31–68), and Reading (31–67). Unlike the CBT, the score of the Writing section (referred to as the Test of Written English, TWE) is not part of the final score; instead, it is reported separately on a scale of 0–6.

   
   

Where can one take the testThere are 100s of ETS certified test centres across the globe where one can register about 6 weeks in advance and take the test. The list of approved test centres can be obtained from the ETS website https://ets.org. There are 3 major locations in India - Hyderabad, Bhopal and New Delhi. The registration can be done online.

Good score vs Bad Score: A score of 550 + on a paper based test is good but better universities may ask for 600+ or so. The TWE score of 5+ is considered good by most. For the iBT the score range from 1-120 and anything in excess of 85 is considered good. The essay and speaking section is graded by humans only.

Level of difficulty as compared to GRE: GRE is certainly a tougher test than the TOEFL. There is no maths angle to TOEFL and that may please many like myself. The level of vocabulary and grammar presented and expected by the candidate in TOEFL is simpler that what one might expect to encounter during GRE. It is always advisable to take TOEFL before GRE in case you plan to take both, as it would get you the necessary warm up for GRE.

How to prepare for the test:

0.Commitment, purpose and sincerity are a must hence mentioned as point number zero. Those who lack one or more of these may well drop the idea (and the review) right now.1.Preparation for any of such tests is easier if you study in groups and as per some plan. Needless to say that taking mock-up tests during the preparation journey is a must. If you dont find groups look for such groups on Yahoo! Groups OR google groups and you will find company. I have also been practising tests on

https://testprepreview.com/toefl_practice.htm and https://testmagic.com.

1. Since there is a listening angle to it, one must start listening to BBC and voice of America over the radio (not TV mind you). You only get to listen , not see anything during the listening comprehension round, hence BBC on TV will not train you well enough. Do not listen to Air FM english news, as the ascent is not what you would hear during the test.

   
   




2. Do not leave any question unanswered in the test as there is no negative marking. Avoid too mch guesswork either.4. Read some good english articles regularly. My favorites come from Readers' Digest and the editorial of The Hindu. Write on MS if possible. :-)5. Believe in yourself, because if you won't, no one will.

   
   

Thanks for bearing with me.All the best in the preparation and the test.