TOEFL Question

What kinds of questions are found on the TOEFL? 
The majority of the questions on the Computer-Based TOEFL are multiple-choice. Some other types of questions are also on the Computer-Based TOEFL. These questions have special directions on the screen. You will have many examples of them in the Model Tests in this blog. All the questions on the Paper-Based TOEFL are multiple-choice.

How do I answer the test questions?
When you are presented with a multiple-choice question on the Computer-Based TOEFL, read the four possible answers on the screen, point the arrow, and click beside the answer that you choose. The oval will change from white to black. When you are presented with other types of questions, follow the directions on the screen.

To answer test questions on the Paper-Based TOEFL, read the four possible answers in your test book, and mark the corresponding space on the answer sheet.


May I make notes in the test book or on the scratch paper?
There is no test book for the Computer-Based TOEFL. All the questions and the answer options are presented on the computer screen. You may not use the scratch paper for your essay to make notes for any other section of the test.

You are not allowed to make marks in your test book for the Paper-Based TOEFL. You may not underline words or write notes in the margins of the test book. Doing so is considered cheating.


May I change an answer?
On the first two sections of the Computer-Based TOEFL, Listening and Structure, you can change your answer by clicking on the new answer. You can change your answer as many times as you wish until you click on the Confirm Answer button. When you click on Confirm Answer, you move to the next question, and you cannot go back to a previous question. On the third section of the Computer-Based TOEFL, Reading, you can change your answer as many times as you wish. You may go on to the next question and back to the previous questions. The CD-ROM that supplements this book will provide you with practice in choosing and changing answers on the computer screen.

You may erase an answer on the answer sheet of the Paper-Based TOEFL if you do so carefully and completely. Stray pencil marks may cause inaccurate scoring by the test-scoring machine.


If I am not sure of an answer, should I guess?
Try to answer every question on the Computer-Based TOEFL. Your score will be based not only on the difficulty of the questions but also on the number of.questions answered.

If you are not sure of an answer on the Paper-Based TOEFL, you should guess. The number of incorrect answers is not subtracted from your score. Your score is based only on the number of correct answers. Do not mark more than one answer for each question. Do not leave any questions blank on your answer sheet.

How should I guess?
In the first two sections of the Computer-Based TOEFL, Listening and Structure, eliminate the incorrect answers, then guess, but do not use a "guess answer" to finish these sections quickly. You will probably receive a lower score for random guessing. On the third section, Reading, try to manage your time so that you can finish all of the questions. If you have only a minute or two left, try to answer all of the remaining questions. Use a "guess answer." Pace yourself so that you can finish as much of the test as possible. On the first two sections, Listening and Structure, you will be scored based on the number of questions answered, the number of correct answers you have submitted, and the level of difficulty of the questions tbat you have answered. On the third section, Reading, you will be scored on the number of questions you have answered and the number of correct answers you have submitted.

For the Paper-Based TOEFL, first eliminate all the possibilities that you know are NOT correct. Then, if you are almost sure of an answer, guess that one. If you have no idea of the correct answer for a question, choose one letter and use it for your "guess" answer throughout the entireexamination. The "guess answer" is especially useful for finishing a section quickly. If the supervisor tells you to stop working on a section before you have finished it, answer all the remaining questions with the "guess answer."

What should I do if I discover that I have marked my answers incorrectly?
Marking your screen incorrectly on the Computer-Based TOEFL is not possible because the computer
program will present only one question on each screen. If you change your mind after you have confirmed a response on the Listening or Structure sections, the computer will not allow you to return to a previous question on these two sections, and you will not be able to change the answer that you have confirmed. As you see, it is very important to be sure of the answer before you click on Confirm Answer.

Do not panic if you have marked an answer incorrectly on the Paper-Based TOEFL. Notify the supervisor immediately. If you have marked one answer in the wrong space on the answer sheet, the rest of the answers will be out of sequence. Ask for time at the end of the examination to correct the sequence.

The TOEFL test supervisor may or may not allow you to do this. To save time finding the number on the answer sheet that corresponds to the problem you are reading, to avoid mismarking, and to save space on your desk, use your test book as a marker on your answer sheet. As you advance, slide the book down underneath the number of the question that you are marking on the answer sheet.

May I choose the order of the sections on my TOEFL?
You may not choose the order. Listening, Structure, and Reading are tested in that order on both the Computer-Based TOEFL and the Paper-Based TOEFL. The essay is written last. When you have finished with a section, you may not work on any other section of the test.

What if I cannot hear the tape for the Listening Section?
You have your own headset for the Computer-Based TOEFL. Before the Listening Section begins, you will have an opportunity to adjust the volume yourself. Be careful to adjust the volume when you are prompted to do so. If you wait until the test begins, you may not be able to adjust it.
The supervisor for the Paper-Based TOEFL has the responsibility of making sure that everyone is able to hear the tape. If you cannot hear it well, raise your hand and ask the supervisor to adjust the volume.

May I keep my test?
TOEFL Services publishes copies of TOEFL tests and makes them available for purchase. Visit the TOEFL web site for more information. If you try to keep or copy TOEFL tests from your test administration,
the TOEFL Office may take legal action.

What can I do if I do not appear to take the test?
There is a $65 refund for the Computer-Based TOEFL if you cancel your test five business days before
the date of your appointment.
If you do not appear to take the Paper-Based TOEFL test without canceling your appointment, you cannot request a refund. If you cancel your appointment, then you are entitled to a refund of $65. Write to TOEFL Services to make your request. You must contact them within 60 days of the date of the TOEFL administration that you have missed.
Read More : TOEFL Question

The Next Generation TOEFL

Which language skills are tested on the Next Generation TOEFL?
In general, the same language skills are tested in all TOEFL formats. Some differences occur in the number of sections and the types of questions used to test the language skills, however. Charts that outline the differences are included in the Quick Comparisons in the review chapters for each section of the TOEFL. The chart below shows the four sections on the Next Generation TOEFL.
Section 1 Listening
Section 2 Speaking
Section 3 Reading
Section 4 Writing

Does the Next Generation TOEFL have a Composition Section?
The Next Generation TOEFL has a Writing Section that includes both independent writing and integrated writing. The independent writing is a response to a question that asks your opinion about a familiar topic. You have 30 minutes to complete the independent writing task. The integrated writing is a response to a question about the content of a short reading passage, a short lecture, or both. You have 20-30 minutes to complete the integrated writing task.

Does the Next Generation TOEFL have a Speaking Section?
The Next Generation TOEFL has a Speaking Section that includes both independent speaking and integrated speaking. The independent speaking is a response to a question that asks for your opinion about a familiar topic. You have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to respond. The integrated writing is a response to a question about the content of a short reading passage, a short lecture, or both.
You have 20-30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to respond. You may use notes while you speak.


Are all the Next Generation TOEFL tests the same length?
All of the forms for the Next Generation TOEFL are about the same length. It is not an adaptive test.

How do I register for the Next Generation TOEFL?
The lnformation Bulletin for the Next Generation TOEFL will have a registration form in it. Using the directions in the TOEFL lnformation Bulletin, fill out the form and mail it to the TOEFL Registration Office. Be sure to sign the form and include your registration fee. To register online, visit www.toefl.org.

What are the fees for the Next Generation TOEFL?
The fees for the Next Generation TOEFL have not been determined. However, they will be about the same as those for the Computer-Based TOEFL.

Where are the test centers?
The test centers for the Next Generation TOEFL will be announced on the TOEFL web site www.toefl.org. Many test centers are being planned at school sites throughout the world.

How long isthe testing session of the TOEFL?
The total time for the testing session of the Next Generation TOEFL is about four hours.

How much time do I have to complete each of the sections?
Work as rapidly as possible without compromising accuracy. Refer to page x to see the Timetable for the Next Generation TOEFL.

What kinds of questions are found on the TOEFL?
The majority of the questions on the Next Generation TOEFL are multiple-choice. Some otAer types of questions are also on the Next Generation TOEFL. These questions will have special directions on the screen. You will have examples of them in Model Test 9.

How do I answer the test questions?
When you are presented with a multiple-choice question on the Next Generation TOEFL, read the four possible answers on the screen, point the arrow, and click beside the answer that you choose. The oval will change from white to black. When you are presented with other types of questions, follow the directions on the screen. This is similar to the way that the test questions on the Computer-Based TOEFL are answered.

May I make notes in the test book or on the scratch paper?
You are allowed to take notes and use them to answer questions on the Next Generation TOEFL. You will be given paper for that purpose when you go into the test room.

May I change an answer?
On the Listening Section of the Next Generation TOEFL, you can change your answer by clicking on the new answer. You can change your answer as many times as you wish until you click on the Confirm Answer button. When you click on Confirm Answer, you move to the next question, and you cannot go back to a previous question. On the Speaking Section, you will be cued with a beep to begin and end speaking. Everything that you say during the recording time will be submitted. You cannot change an answer. On the Reading Section, you can change your answer by clicking on the new answer. You can change your answer as many times as you wish, and you can go back to previous answers on the same reading passage. When you begin a new reading passage, you may not return to the previous passage to change answers. On the Writing Section, you can revise your essays as much as you wish unlil the clock indicates that no time is remaining. If you submit your essays before time is up, you cannot return to them. The CD-ROM that supplements this book will provide you with practice in choosing and changing answers on the computer screen.

If I am not sure of an answer, should I guess?
If you are not sure of an answer, you should guess. The number of incorrect answers is not subtracted from your score. Your score is based on only the number of correct answers.

How should I guess?
First, eliminate all of the possibilities that you know are NOT correct. Then, if you are almost sure of an answer, guess that one. If you have no idea of the correct answer for a question, choose one letter and use it for your "guess answer" throughout the entire examination. The "guess answer" is especially useful for finishing a section quickly. If the supervisor tells you to stop working on a section'before you have finished it, answer all the remaining questions with the "guess answer."

How is the Next Generation TOEFL scored?
The Next Generation TOEFL will have section scores for each of the four sections. The range for each section score will be 030. Then the scores for the four sections will be added together. Although final scoring has not been determined, the total score range for the Next Generation TOEFL will probably be 0-1 20. Check the TOEFL web site at www.toefl.org for the latest information about the scoring scale.

How do I interpret my score?
Admissions policies have not yet been decided by American universities. For the latest information about scoring, visit www.toefl.org on the Internet.

How do scores on the Next Generation TOEFL compare with those on the Computer-Based TOEFL?
A concordance table comparing the two tests is not yet available from the test developers. However, the TOEFL formats have been carefully calibrated so that scores on one format equate with scores on another format. If you score well on the Computer-Based TOEFL, for example, you should score well on the Next Generation TOEFL also.

When can I see my scores?
After you complete your Next Generation TOEFL, you can view your estimated score on the screen. You will be able to see section scores for both Listening and Reading, but the Speaking and Writing Sections will require additional time to evaluate. The estimated score that you will see shows a total score range based on a very low score on the Speaking and Writing Sections and a very high score on the Speaking and Writing Sections.

You will be entitled to five copies of your test results, including one personal copy for yourself and four official score reports. You will receive your copy about five weeks after you take the test, but you will have an idea of how you performed on the test after you see the estimate.

How can I know my scores sooner?
You may be able to use the TOEFL phone service to receive your report on the same day that it is mailed. Watch the www.toefl.org web site for more information about this option.

May I take the TOEFL more than one time?
You may take the Next Generation TOEFL as many times as you wish in order to score to your satisfaction.
There may be a limit to the number of times that you may take the test in a one-month time period. More information about these limits will be published at a later date.
Read More : The Next Generation TOEFL

Teacher guide : Rationale for a TOEFL Preparation Course

Although Barron's How to Prepare for the TOEFL was originally written as a self-study guide for studknts who were preparing to take the TOEFL, in the years since its first publication, I have received letters from ESL teachers around the world who are using the book successfully for classroom study. In fact, in recent years, many special courses have been developed within the existing ESL curriculum to accommodate TOEFL preparation.

I believe that these TOEFL preparation courses respond to three trends within the profession. First, there appears to be a greater recognition on the part of many ESL teachers that student goals must be acknowledged and addressed. For the engineer, the business person, the doctor, or the preuniversity student, a satisfactory score on the TOEFL is one of the most immediate goals; for many, without the required score, they cannot continue their professional studies or obtain certification to practice their professions, They may have other language goals as well, such as leaming to communicate more effectively or improving their writing, but these goals do not usually exert the same kinds of pressure that the required TOEFL score does.

Second, teachers have recognized and recorded the damaging results of test anxiety. We have all observed students who were so frightened of failure that they have performed on the TOEFL at a level far below that which their performance in class would have indicated. The standardized score just didn't correspond with the score in the gradebook. In addition, teachers have become aware that for some students, the TOEFL represents their first experience in taking a computer- assisted test.

The concepts of working within time limits, marking on a screen, and guessing to improve a score are often new and confusing to students, and they forfeit valuable points because they must concentrate on unfamiliar procedures instead of on language questions. Third, teachers have observed the corresponding changes in student proficiency that have accompanied the evolutionary changes in ESL syllabus design.

Since this book was first written, we have moved away from a grammatical syllabus to a communicative syllabus, and at this writing, there seems to be growing interest in a contentbased syllabus. Viewed in terms of what has actually happened in classrooms, most of us have emphasized the facilitation of communication and meaning and de-emphasized the teaching of forms. As we did so, we noticed with pride the improvement in student fluency and with dismay the corresponding loss of accuracy. Some of our best, most fluent students received disappointing scores on the test that was so important to them.

Through these observations and experiences, teachers have concluded that (1) students need to work toward their own goals, (2) students need some time to focus on accuracy as well as on fluency, and (3) students need an opportunity to practice taking a standardized test in order to alleviate anxiety and develop test strategies. With the introduction of the Computer-Based TOEFL, the opportunity to gain experience taking a computerassisted model test has also become important to student confidence and success. In short, more and more teachers have begun to support the inclusion of a TOEFL preparation course in the ESL curriculum.
Read More : Teacher guide : Rationale for a TOEFL Preparation Course

Organization of a TOEFL Preparation Course

Organizing a TOEFL preparation course requires that teachers make decisions about the way that the course should be structured and the kinds of supplementary materials and activities that should be used.

Structuring
Some teachers have suggested that each review section in this book be used for a separate class; they are team teaching a TOEFL course. Other teachers direct their students to the language laboratory for independent study in listening comprehension three times a week, checking on progress throughout the term; assign reading and vocabulary study for homework; and spend class time on structure and writing. Still other teachers develop individual study plans for each student based on previous TOEFL part scores. Students with high listening and low reading scores concentrate their efforts in reading labs, while students with low listening and high reading scores spend time in listening labs.

Materials and Activities
Listening. Studies in distributive practice have convinced teachers of listening comprehension that a little practice every day for a few months is more valuable than a lot of practice concentrated in a shorter time. In addition, many teachers like to use two kinds of listening practice- intensive and extensive. Intensive practice consists of listening to problems like those in the review of listening in this book. By so doing, the student progresses from short conversations through longer conversations to mini-talks, gaining experience in listening to simulations of the TOEFL examination. Extensive practice consists of watching a daytime drama on television, listening to a local radio program, or auditing a class. Creative teachers everywhere have developed strategies for checking student progress such as requiring a summary of the plot or a prediction of what will happen the following day on the drama; a one-sentence explanation of the radio program, as well as the name of the speaker, sponsor of the program, and two details; a copy of student notes from the audited class.

Speaking. One of the best ways to support students who are fearful of speaking is to address the issue of confidence. Developing a positive attitude toward the speaking tasks is a key to success on this section of the TOEFL. Another important strategy is to make 60-second telephone assignments. The TOEFL Academic Speaking Test (TAST), which is a preliminary version of the Speaking Section on the Next Generation TOEFL, is currently administered by telephone. To prepare our students for this new experience, some of us are experimenting with phonein speaking practice by using telephone answering machines to record our students when they call. In this way, the students can become accustomed to the telephone tasks and we can provide more realistic feedback for them.

Structure. Of course, the focus in a review of structure for the TOEFL will be on form. It is form that is tested on the TOEFL. It is assumed that students have studied grammar prior to reviewing for the TOEFL, and that they are relatively fluent. The purpose of a TOEFL review then is to improve accuracy. Because accuracy is directly related to TOEFL scores and because the scores are tied to student goals, this type of review motivates students to pay attention to detail that would not usually be of much interest to them. Among ESL teachers, the debate rages on about whether students should ever see errors in grammar. But many teachers have recognized the fact that stucfents do see errors all the time, not only in the distractors that are used on standardized tests like the TOEFL and teacher-made tests like the multiple-choice midterms in their grammar classes, but also in their own writing.

They argue that students must be able to recognize errors, learn to read for them, and correct them. The student preparing for the TOEFL will be required not only to recognize correct answers but also to eliminate incorrect answers, or distractors, as possibilities. The review of structure in this book supports recognition by alerting students to avoid certain common distractors. Many excellent teachers take this one step further by using student compositions to create personal TOEFL tests. By underlining four words or phrases in selected sentences, one phrase of which contains an incorrect structure, teachers encourage students to reread their writing. It has proven to be a helpful transitional technique for students who need to learn how to edit their own compositions.

Reading. One of the problems in a TOEFL preparation course is that of directing vocabulary study. Generally, teachers feel that encouraging students to collect words and develop their own word lists is the best solution to the problem of helping students who will be faced with the dilemma of responding to words from a possible vocabulary pool of thousands of words that may appear in context in the reading section. In this way, they will increase their vocabularies in an ordered and productive way, thereby benefiting even if none of their new words appears on the test that they take.

Activities that support learning vocabulary in context are also helpful. In this edition, a Glossary of Campus Vocabulary supports comprehension of listening as well as of reading items that are, for the most part, campus based. In order to improve reading, students need extensive practice in reading a variety of material, including newspapers and magazines as well as short excerpts from textbooks. In addition, students need to check their comprehension and time themselves carefully.

It is also necessary for students who are preparing for the Computer-Based TOEFL to practice reading from a computer screen. The skill of scrolling through text is different from the skill of reading a page in a book. To succeed on the TOEFL and after the TOEFL, students must develop new reading strategies for texts on screens. An English encyclopedia on CD-ROM is an inexpensive way to provide students with a huge amount of reading material from all the nonfiction content areas tested on the TOEFL. By reading on screen, students gain not only reading comprehension skills but also computer confidence. Again, it is well to advise students of the advantages of distributed practice. They should be made aware that it is better to read two passages every day for five days than to read ten passages in one lab period.

Writing. There are many excellent ESL textbooks to help students improve their writing. Because TOEFL topics include opinion, persuasion, and argument, some teachers tend to emphasize these types of topics in composition classes. The extensive list of writing topics published in the Information Bulletin for the Computer-Based TOEFL and listed on the TOEFL web site offers teachers an opportunity to use actual TOEFL topics in class. In order to help students organize their thoughts, the topics can be used as conversation starters for class discussion. In this way, students will have thought about the topics and will have formed an opinion before they are presented with the writing task on the TOEFL.

It is also a good idea to time some of the essays that students write in class so that they can become accustomed to completing their work within thirty minutes. Although teachers need to develop grading systems that make sense for their teaching situations, the scoring guide that is used for the essay on the TOEFL is general enough to be adapted for at least some of the assignments in an ESL composition class. By using the guide, teachers can inform students of their progress as it relates to the scores that they can expect to receive on the essay they will write for the TOEFL.

Staying Current
So many changes have been made in the design and content of the TOEFL over the years that one of the greatest challenges for teachers is to remain current and to help our students prepare for the format that they will see when they take the TOEFL. Now there are three TOEFL formats- the Paper-Based TOEFL, the Computer- Based TOEFL, and the Next Generation TOEFL--each of which requires slightly different preparation. In addition to the explanations and examples of each format that are provided in this book, the official TOEFL web site is a good resource for the most recent changes. Refer often to updates at www.toefl.org.

Networking with ESL Teachers
One of the many rewards of writing is the opportunity that it creates to exchange ideas with so many talented colleagues. At conferences, I have met ESL teachers who use or have used one of the previous editions of this book; through my publisher, I have received letters from students and teachers from fifty-two nations. This preface and many of the revisions in this new edition were included because of comments and suggestions from those conversations and letters.
Read More : Organization of a TOEFL Preparation Course

TOEFL Program

What is the purpose of the TOEFL?
Since 1963, the TOEFL has been used by scholarship selection committees of governments, universities, and agencies such as Fulbright, the Agency for International Development, AMIDEAST, Latin American Scholarship Programs, and others as a standard measure of the English proficiency of their candidates. Some professional licensing and certification agencies also use TOEFL scores to evaluate English proficiency.

The admissions committees of more than 4,400 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and many other countries worldwide require foreign applicants to submit TOEFL scores along with transcripts and recommendations in order to be considered for admission. Many universities use TOEFL scores to fulfill the foreign language requirement for doctoral candidates whose first language is not English.

Which TOEFL testing programs are available now?
The official TOEFL examination is currently administered at test sites around the world in three different formats: the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), the Computer-Based TOEFL (CBT), and the Next Generation TOEFL. The language proficiency skills are tested on every format, but they are tested in different ways.

In addition to the official TOEFL administrations, some schools and agencies administer the institutional TOEFL for their students and employees. The institutional TOEFL is usually the Paper-Based format.

What is the Computer-Based TOEFL program?
The CBT is a computer-adaptive test that is offered as an official standard for language proficiency worldwide. The CBT is also called the Official TOEFL.
The Computer-Based TOEFL has four sections: Listening, Structure, Writing, and Reading. The Writing is equivalent to the Test of Written English (TWE) on the Paper-Based TOEFL. The CBT is an adaptive test, which means that everyone who takes the TOEFL during the same administration may not see and answer the same questions. The computer selects questions for you at your level of proficiency. There are three subscores-Listening, StructureNVriting, and Reading. The total score is based on a scale of 0-300.

What is the Paper-Based TOEFL?
The PBT is a pencil and paper test that is offered for two purposes. One purpose of the PBT is for placement and progress evaluations. Colleges or other institutions use the PBT to test their students. The scores are not valid outside the place where they are administered, but the college or institution accepts the PBT that they administer as an official score. This PBT is also called an Institutional TOEFL.

The other purpose of the PBT is to supplement the official Computer-Based TOEFL in areas where computer-based testing is not possible. The scores are usually valid outside the place where they are administered. This PBT is also called a Supplemental TOEFL.

The Paper-Based TOEFL has three sections: Listening Comprehension, Structure and Written Expression, and Reading. In addition, the TWE is a required essay that provides a writing score. The PBT is a linear test, which means that everyone who takes the TOEFL during the same administration will see and answer the same questions. The total score is based on a scale of 310-677.

What is the Next Generation TOEFL?
The Next Generation TOEFL is a computer-assisted test that will be introduced in September 2005 worldwide. The Next Generation TOEFL has four sections: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.
The Speaking Section was already introduced in 2003 as the TOEFL Academic Speaking Test (TAST)
and can be taken and scored without the other sections. On the four-part Next Generation TOEFL, most
of the questions are independent, but some of the questions are integrated. For example, you may be
asked to listen to a lecture or read a text and then speak about it or write a response. The total score will
probably be based on a scale of 0-100.

What is the lnstitutional TOEFL program?
More than 1,200 schools, colleges, universities, and private agencies administer the lnstitutional TOEFL. The lnstitutional TOEFL is the same length, format, and difficulty as the official Paper-Based TOEFL, but the dates and the purposes of the lnstitutional TOEFL are different from those of the official TOEFL.

The dates for the lnstitutional TOEFL usually correspond to the beginning of an academic session
on a college or university calendar. The lnstitutional TOEFL is used for admission, placement, eligibility,
or employment only at the school or agency that offers the test. If you plan to use your scores for a different
college, university, or agency, you should take one of the official TOEFL tests. For more information
about the lnstitutional TOEFL Program, contact the school or agency that administers the test.
Read More : TOEFL Program

TOEFL FAQ

The TOEFL Infomation Bulletin is often available overseas in the U.S. embassies and advising offices of the United States lnformation Service, binational centers, IIE and AMIDEAST Counseling Centers, Fulbright offices, and ETS Regional Registration Centers as well as from international TOEFL representatives.

May I choose the format of my TOEFL-Computer-Based TOEFL, Paper-Based TOEFL, or Next Generation TOEFL?
When the Computer-Based TOEFL is phased in for the area where you will take your TOEFL, you must take the Computer-Based TOEFL. The TOEFL web site lists the areas where the Supplemental Paper-Based TOEFL has been reintroduced on a temporary basis. .When the Next Generation TOEFL appears in 2005, the plan is to phase out the Computer-Based TOEFL and retain a minimum number of Supplemental Paper-Based TOEFL sites.

Which language skills are tested on the Computer-Based TOEFL?
In general, the same language skills are tested in all TOEFL formats. Some differences occur in the number of sections and the types of questions used to test the language skills, however. Charts that outline the differences are included in the Quick Comparisons in the review chapters for each section of the TOEFL. The chart below shows the four sections on the Computer-Based TOEFL.
Section 1 Listening
Section 2 StructureNVriting
Section 3 Reading
On the Computer-Based TOEFL, the essay counts 50 percent of the total score for Section 2.


Which language skills are tested on the Paper-Based TOEFL?
In general, the same language skills are tested in all TOEFL formats. Some differences occur in the number of sections and the types of questions used to test the language skills, however. Charts that outline the differences are included in the Quick Comparisons in the review chapters for each section of the TOEFL. The chart below shows the three sections on the Paper-Based TOEFL.
Section 1 Listening
Section 2 Structure
Section 3 Reading

Does the TOEFL have a Composition Section?
The Computer-Based TOEFL has a Writing Section. On the Writing Section and on the TWE (Test of Written English), you must write a short essay on an assigned topic. The essay should be about 300 words long. The topic is typical of academic writing requirements at colleges and universities in North America. You have 30 minutes to finish writing. Both the Writing Section and the TWE are described in greater detail in the Tutorial for the Writing Section.

The Paper-Based TOEFL does not have a Composition Section. However, you are also required to take the TWE. It is a short essay on an assigned topic. The essay should be 300-350 words long. The topic is usually an opinion question. You have 30 minutes to finish writing. The TWE rating is reported as a separate score from that of the TOEFL.

Does the TOEFL have a Speaking Section?
The Computer-Based TOEFL does not have a Speaking Section. Only the Next Generation TOEFL includes a Speaking Section.
A Speaking Section is planned for the Paper-Based TOEFL, but it has not been included in the test yet. It will probably be administered by telephone.

Are all the TOEFL tests the same length?
The forms for the TOEFL vary in length. Some items are included for research purposes and are not scored. On the Computer-Based TOEFL, items are selected by the computer based on the level of difficulty and the number of correct responses from previous items. Difficult items are worth more points than average or easy items.

All of the forms for the Paper-Based TOEFL are the same length-140 questions. Occasionally, additional questions are included for research purposes, but they are not included in the section scores.

How do the Paper-Based TOEFL and the Institutional TOEFL compare with the Computer-Based TOEFL?
The Paper-Based TOEFL and the lnstitutional TOEFL are different from the Computer-Based TOEFL for several reasons. First, taking a test with a pencil and paper is different from taking a test with a computer. Second, the test designs are different. The Paper-Based TOEFL and the Institutional TOEFL are linear tests. This means that all the questions appear in a row and everyone receives the same questions.

The Computer-Based TOEFL has two sections, Listening and Structure, that are computer-adaptive. This means that only one questidn appears on the screen at a time, and everyone does not receive the same questions. Everyone begins with a question of average difficulty. If you answer it correctly, you are given a more difficult question. If you answer it incorrectly, you are given an easier question. You receive more points for answering difficult questions correctly than you do for answering average or easy questions correctly.


Is the Conrputer-Based TOEFL fair?
The Computer-Based TOEFL is fair because the computer is constantly adjusting the selection of items based on your previous responses. It allows you to achieve the maximum number of points that you are capable of based on your English language proficiency. In addition, everyone receives the same test content and the same proportion of question types-multiple-choice and computer-assisted.

What if I have little experience with computers?
The beginning of the official Computer-Based TOEFL has a Tutorial to help you become familiar with the computer before you begin your test. In the Tutorial, you will review how to use a mouse, how to scroll, and how to answer all the question types on the test. The Tutorials on the CD-ROM are similar. If you would like to work through the official Tutorial before the day of your Computer-Based TOEFL, you can download it at no charge from the TOEFL web site at www.ets.org/cbt~cbtdemo.html.
Read More : TOEFL FAQ

TOEFL Registration

How do I register for the TOEFL?
There are three ways to register for the Computer-Based TOEFL. If you plan to pay by credit card-VISA, Mastercard, or American Express-you may register by phone. Call Candidate Services at 1-800-468-6335 to make an appointment for a test in the United States, or phone your Regional Registration Center to make an appointment for a test in another country. The phone numbers for the regional centers are listed in the TOEFL lnformation Bulletin. If you plan to pay by check, money order, or credit card, you may register by mail. To arrange a test in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory, return the voucher request form in your TOEFL lnformation Bulletin, along with your registration fee, to TOEFL Services in Princeton, New Jersey. A mailing label is provided in the TOEFL lnformation Bulletin. To arrange a test in all other locations where the Computer-Based TOEFL is offered, return the International Test Scheduling Form to your Regional Registration Center. Mailing labels are provided in the TOEFL lnformation Bulletin. Be sure to sign the form and include your registration fee. You may be asked to choose two days of the week and two months of the year as well as two test centers. If no appointments are available on the dates you have requested, you will be assigned a date close to the request you have made.

The lnformation Bulletin for the Paper-Based TOEFL has a registration form in it. Using the directions in the TOEFL lnformation Bulletin, fill out the form and mail it to the TOEFL Registration Office. Be sure to sign the form and include your registration fee. To register online, visit www.toefl.org.

When should I register for the TOEFL?
If you are taking the TOEFL as part of the application process for college or university admission, plan to take the test early enough for your score to be received by the admission office in time to be considered with your application. Usually, a test date at least two months before the admission application deadline allows adequate time for your scores to be considered with your admission application. Test centers often receive more requests than they can accommodate on certain dates. Try to schedule your appointment by phone or mail at least a month before the date you prefer to take the TOEFL, especially in October, November, December, April, and May. You must call at least three days before the appointment date that you are requesting.


What are the fees for the TOEFL?
In the United States, the registration fee for both the Computer-Based TOEFL and the Paper-Based TOEFL is $130 U.S. The fee may be paid by check, credit card, money order, bank draft, or U.S. postal money order. In Canada, the fee is $130 U.S. plus taxes. In other countries, the registration fee is also $1 30 U.S. However, because of exchange rates, the actual cost may vary from one country to another. For exact fees in local currency and options for payment, refer to the TOEFL Information Bulletin.

Which credit cards will be accepted?
Only Mastercard, VISA, and American Express may be used to pay for TOEFL registration fees and services.

May I pay by check or money order?
In order to pay for the Computer-Based TOEFL (CBT) by check or money order, you should complete a voucher request form and mail it to the TOEFL Office with your payment. This form and an envelope for it are bound in the middle of the TOEFL lnformation Bulletin for the Computer-Based TOEFL. You can also find these materials on the TOEFL web site. You will receive a CBT voucher by return mail.

In order to pay for the Paper-Based TOEFL by check or money order, include payment with your registration form. Checks, bank drafts, and money orders must be drawn on a bank in the U.S. Canadian checks will be subject to taxes. Do not send cash or demand drafts.

Which currencies will be accepted?
Payments at the current exchange rate for the U.S. dollar may be made in the following currencies: Australian dollar, British pound, Canadian dollar, Danish krone, Euro, Hong Kong dollar, Japanese yen, New Zealand dollar, Norwegian kroner, Singapore dollar, Swedish krona, Swiss franc.

Is there a fast way to send mail to the TOEFL Office?
For the fastest delivery, use e-mail on the TOEFL web site. For rush mail delivery, use the express courier delivery address:
TOEFL Services (25-Q-310)
Distribution and Receiving Center
225 Phillips Blvd.
Ewing, NJ 08628-7435
U.S.A.


Will Educational Testing Service (ETS) confirm my registration?
If you register for the Computer-Based TOEFL, you will receive an appointment confirmation number. If you do not receive an appointment confirmation number or if you lose your appointment confirmation number, call 1-800-GOTOEFL (1 -800-468-6335) in the United States or call your Regional Registration Center outside the United States. The phone numbers for regional registration centers are listed in the TOEFL Information Bulletin.

If you register for the Paper-Based TOEFL, you will receive an admission ticket. Your admission ticket is your confirmation. You must complete the ticket and take it with you to the test center on the day of the test along kith your passport. If you have not received your admission ticket two weeks before the test, contact TOEFL Services.

May I change the date or cancel my registration?
In the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories, call Candidate Services at 1-800-468-6335. Be sure to call by noon, three business days before the date of your appointment, or you will not receive a partial reimbursement of your registration fee, usually $65. If you want to choose a different date, you may be asked to pay a rescheduling fee of $40. In all other locations, call your Regional Registration Center by noon, five business days before the date of your appointment, or you will not receive a partial reimbursement of your registration fee. If you want to choose a different date, you may be asked to pay a rescheduling fee of $40. You must provide your appointment confirmation number when you call. You will be given a cancellation number.

Test date changes are not permitted for the Paper-Based TOEFL; however, you may receive absentee credit. If you cancel your test, the refund request form and the unused admission ticket must arrive within 60 days of your test date for you to receive $65 cash or a $65 credit toward registration for a different date. Mail the form and the admission ticket to TOEFL Services or fax them to 1-609-771 -7500. Allow ten weeks for the refund to arrive.

May I give my appointnlent to a friend?
Appointments cannot be reassigned or exchanged among friends.

How should I prepare the night before the TOEFL?
Don't go to a party the night before you take your TOEFL examination, but don't try to review everything that you have studied either. By going to a party, you will lose the opportunity to review a few problems that may add valuable points to your TOEFL score. By trying to review everything, though, you will probably get confused, and you may even panic. Instead, select a limited amount of material to review the night before you take the TOEFL. And remember, you are not trying to score 100 percent on the TOEFL examination. No one knows everything. If you answer 75 percent of the questions correctly, you will receive an excellent score.

May I register on the day of the TOEFL?
Registration of candidates on the day of the test is permitted for only the Computer-Based TOEFL, but most of the time there is no space. Candidates who arrive at the center are admitted only if a seat is available.
Registration is not available for the Paper-Based TOEFL on the day of the test administration.
Read More : TOEFL Registration

TOEFL Test Administration

Where are the test centers?
The most recent listing of the test centers for the TOEFL administrations worldwide is found in the current TOEFL Information Bulletin or on the TOEFL web site.

May I change my test center assignment?
You may go to another center on the date printed on your admission ticket, but you may or may not find a seat and test materials available.

What kind of room will be used for the TOEFL?
Rooms used for the Computer-Based TOEFL are small. They are like the study areas in a library or in a language laboratory. Usually only six to fifteen students are at individual computer stations. Each student has a headset.

Rooms used for the Paper-Based TOEFL tend to be large, but they vary greatly from one test site to another. The seats are usually school desks. It is a good idea to wear clothing that allows you to adjust to warm or cold room temperatures.

What should take with me to the examination room?
For the Computer-Based TOEFL, take your appointment confirmation number and your official identification.
Also take the institution and department codes for the schools or agencies to which you will report your scores. These codes can be found in the TOEFL lnformation Bulletin. You will not need a watch because the computer screen has a clock face on it. Books, dictionaries, tape recorders, cellular phones, pagers, highlighters, pens, and notes are not permitted in the examination room. Some centers will have lockers for you to store your possessions but it is really better not to take with you anything that you cannot take into the examination room.

For the Paper-Based TOEFL, take your admission ticket, photo identification form, and official photo identification with you. Taking three sharpened pencils and a watch would be helpful, although most examination rooms will have clocks. Books, dictionaries, tape recorders, cellular phones, pagers, highlighters,
pens, and notes are not permitted in the examination room. Don't forget the institution and department codes for the schools or agencies to which you will report your scores.

What kind of identification is required?
In the United States, only your valid passport will be accepted for admission to the Computer-Based TOEFL examination. In other countries, your valid passport is still the best identification, but if you do not have a passport, you may refer to the TOEFL Information Bulletin for special directions. Your photograph will be taken at the test center and reproduced on all official score reports sent to institutions. Your identification will be checked against the new photograph. In addition, all Computer-Based TOEFL sessions will be videotaped. Be sure to use the same spelling and order of your name on your registration materials or phone registration, the test center log that you will sign when you enter the test area, the forms on the computer screens, and any correspondence that you may have with TOEFL Services, Candidate Services, or other local representatives.

The test center supervisor will not admit you to the Paper-Based TOEFL examination if you do not have official identification. In the United States, only.your valid passport will be accepted. The supervisor will not allow you to enter with an expired passport or a photocopy of your passport. In other countries, your valid passport is still the best identification, but if you do not have a passport, you may refer to the TOEFL Information Bulletin for special directions. Be sure that your photo identification form and your passport picture look like you do on the day of the examination. If not, you may not be admitted to the examination room. Be sure to use the same spelling and order of your name on your registration materials, admission ticket, answer sheet, and any correspondence that you may have with either TOEFL Services or your Regional Registration Center.

Will I sign a confidentiality statement?
Before you begin the Computer-Based or Paper-Based TOEFL, you may be asked to sign a confidentiality statement. You will agree to keep confidential the content of all test questions. The purpose of this procedure is to protect the security of the test.

Where should I sit?
You will be assigned a seat. You may not select your own seat. It is usually better not to sit with friends anyway. If you do, you may find yourself looking at friends instead of concentrating on your test materials. You may even be accused of cheating if you appear to be communicating in some way.

What if I am late?
Report to the test center 30 minutes before the appointment for your TOEFL. You will need a half hour to check in. If you arrive late, you may not be admitted, and your fee may not be refunded.

How long is the testing session of the TOEFL?
The time for the Computer-Based TOEFL will vary, depending on your familiarity with computers. A computer Tutorial is offered at the beginning of the session for those who need some practice using the computer before taking the Computer-Based TOEFL. In general, the Computer-Based TOEFL takes between four hours and four hours and 30 minutes, including the Tutorial. When you finish, you may leave the room quietly.

The total time for the testing session of the Paper-Based TOEFL is three hours. Since the instructions are not included as part of the timed sections, the actual time that you will spend in the examination room will be about three hours and 30 minutes. When you finish, you must sit quietly until the supervisor dismisses the group.

How much time do I have to complete each of the sections?
Work as rapidly as possible without compromising accuracy. Check the Timetable for the TOEFL on page x for an estimate.

Are breaks scheduled during the TOEFL?
A 10-minute break is scheduled during the Computer-Based TOEFL. It usually occurs between the Structure and the Reading Sections.
No breaks are scheduled for the Paper-Based TOEFL.

Is there a place to eat lunch at the test centers?
Some of the testing centers are conveniently located near restaurants, but many, especially the mobile centers, are not. You may want to take a snack with you to eat before or after your test.

How can I complain about a test administration?
If you feel that the test situation was not fair, you have a right to register a complaint by mail or by fax. Within three days of the date of the test, write a letter to Test Administration Services. Their address appears on page 12. If you prefer to send a fax, the fax number is 1-609-771-7500. Mention the date of your test, the city, and the country. Explain why you feel that the test was not fair.
Read More : TOEFL Test Administration