TOEFL - Test and Preparation Details

[Kalyan]

TOEFL

TOEFL is to be taken for seeking admission in any course in USA and Canada. The score is also used for admission in many other countries where the medium of instruction is English. The test aims at evaluating proficiency in English of candidates whose mother tongue is not English. It is important to note that 'American English' is not quite like the language we are used to in India. Their accent in particular, is quite different. Scores in TOEFL help the colleges to judge whether the applicant, seeking admission, would be able to comprehend the lectures etc.

Eligibility

TOEFL is mandatory for seeking admission in any academic course at any level- undergraduate, graduate or post graduate, in USA and Canada.

Test Details

TOEFL can be taken in any working day of the month meaning it is held five days in a week. It is advisable that a candidate takes the test as early as possible so that the score is reported timely.

Exam Structure

TOEFL has been introduced as a computer based test in most of the countries. The computer-based test has four sections

The first two sections- Listening and Structure are computer adaptive, meaning, each time a question is answered, the computer scores that question and adjusts to the response. It determines the next question to be presented to the candidate by using this information. Both of these are multiple-choice sections and the candidate is presented with a question of moderate difficulty at first.

If answered correctly, the second question will be tougher and if the response is incorrect the second question would be easier. The computer will continue presenting questions based on the responses, with the goal of determining the ability level of the candidate and at the same time meeting the requirement of the test for which it is designed.

Listening Section evaluates the ability of the candidate to understand English as spoken in US and Canada. Candidates are given headphones to hear recorded sessions. The questions based on the recording appear on the screen and thereafter the answer choices appear. The time spent in hearing the test material is not counted, however the material and the questions are presented only once. Structure Section contains incomplete and incorrect sentences. These are required to be completed or corrected by using words/phrases from the given choice.

The other two sections are Reading and Writing respectively. These sections are not 'computer adaptive' since the selection of passages and topics in them are not based on the performance of the candidate. The section on Reading contains short passages and questions on them. It measures the ability of the candidate to comprehend short passages, similar to those, which he may actually encounter while pursuing the actual course. The section on Writing comprises of essay writing on a given topic, within 30 minutes. The candidate has the option to type out his essay on the computer or write it on a sheet.

TOEFL Test Tips

To be comfortable with all sections of the test, spend as much time as you need with the tutorial for each timed section.

To use the allotted time for each section wisely, familiarize yourself with how to use the computer and the types of materials, questions, and directions that are in the test. Become familiar with the formats and requirements of each section of the test as described in the tutorials.

The directions at the beginning of each section will tell you the total number of questions in the section and time allowed for the section. Read the directions carefully. They explain exactly what is required to answer each question type and can be reviewed as needed.

Read each question carefully and thoroughly. Before answering a question, determine exactly what is being asked. Always read and understand all possible answers. If you do not, you may miss important information.

Pace yourself so that you have enough time to answer every question. Pay attention to the number of questions and the amount of time remaining during your testing session. Do not spend too much time on a single question.

Answer every question in each section. This will allow you to get your best possible score.
You must answer each question in the Listening and Structure sections (the computer-adaptive sections) before you can go on to the next one. If you do not know the answer to a question, eliminate any answer choices that are obviously incorrect.

In Listening and Structure, confirm your answer only when you are certain you are ready to move on to the next question. You cannot omit questions or go back and change answers. In Reading, you will be allowed to go back and change your answers.

To prepare for the Writing section of the test, practice by using the Writing topics found in the TOEFL Information Bulletin. You will have 30 minutes to compose your assigned essay. You may either hand write your essay or type it on the computer.