Details of tests TOEFL consists of
Certification: TOEFL - Test of English as Foreign Language
Since the introduction of the TOEFL exam in 1964, the exam has provided an ideal benchmark for the English language for university assessing non-native speaking applicants. The test us used by most higher education institutions and professions. The exam is a brand name of the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers the exam. The skills that are tested in the TOEFL exam include the following, listening speaking, reading and writing the English language. Its main purpose is to assess the applicants' competence in the English language, mostly for non-native English speaking students. It can be for educational purposes and other purposes. The TOEFL is offered in two main formats, the internet-based test (iBT) and the paper-based test (PBT). The scoring and format of each of the sections is a bit different, but they still assess the same skills. The score that one gets in TOEFL is valid for on only two years. Let us have a look at each of the detailed analysis of the test that TOEFL consist of:
Internet-based Test
This is a fresh and still new format of the TOEFL. It was introduced in the year 2005, which was mainly to replace the computer-based tests (CBT) and also the paper-based test (PBT). It was introduced in phases, in 2005, and it was introduced in the US, Italy, Germany, France and Canada. In 2006 is when it was introduced to the rest of the world. The CBT was completely discontinued in the year 2006. The iBT takes around four hours, and it is administered through the computer from a secure testing centre. It comprises of mainly four sections, Writing, Speaking, Listening and Reading.
The following is an overview of the sections in the iBT:
Reading Section
This section is awarded 60 to 80 minutes. The test mainly assesses the applicants’ ability to comprehend text and passages, which aims at testing reading to find information, basic comprehension and also reading to learn. This section comprises of 3 to 4 passages. Each passage has approximately 700 words and 12 to 14 questions relating to the passage.
Listening Section
The time awarded in this section 60 to 90 minutes. The ability checked in the listening section is the capability to comprehend spoken English in academic and also everyday setting. To do well in this section, the student should be able to listen to conversations and also lectures. Three main things are checked, listening for basic understanding, listening for pragmatic comprehension and also to connect and combine the information flow coming from two or more sources. This section is separated into 2 or 3 parts, each part contains one long conversation and two lectures. One is supposed to listen to the lecture or conversation only once and then answer the questions that follow.
Speaking Section
This section is after the ten-minute break and is approximately 20 minutes. This section mainly checks the applicants' ability to speak about various topics. Each of the questions is to be answered within the provided time. The section has a total of six questions which are divided into two parts, Independent (question 1 or 3) and integrated speaking tasks (3, 4, 4 and 6). This section assess the students' ability to speak effectively under a particular criterion.
Writing Section
The writing section checks for the ability to effectively communicate in writing under academic settings. The applicants' should be able to present their ideas in a well-organized manner and should be as clear as possible. The writing section involves two parts, the integrated and independent writing task.
In the Integrated writing task, one is allocated 20 minutes. The student is supposed to read a short text which is followed by a lecture (listening passage), which after that one is required to answer a few questions.
The independent writing task the applicant is required to write an essay that should express their ideas and support for a certain topic. The minimum words for the article is 300 words and should be done under 30 minutes.
The writing section is awarded 50 minutes in total.
This is a summary of the detailed format of the iBT.
Paper-based Test (PBT)
This format of the TOEFL is still available in very limited locations. The scores can be sent to institutions and agencies depending with the applicants' preferences. It includes the following sections:
Listening - This section is awarded 30 to 40 minutes. It has 3 parts. The first part has 30 questions, and second part has 8 questions and the third part has 12 questions.
Structure and Written Expression – this section is 25 minutes long. It has 15 exercises, which are of completing sentences correctly and also 25 questions of identifying errors.
Reading Comprehension – this section is made has a total of 50 questions and is awarded 55 minutes.
Writing - this section has a test referred to as Test of Written English (TWE). This is an essay of an average 250 to 300 words, which should be done under 30 minutes.
This is the summary of how the TOEFL paper-based test is formatted.
This is an overview of the detailed format of the TOEFL. Each section is structured to assess the student in various skills the vast language of English. The Scores for the iBT test is scored on a scale of between 0 and 120 points. The final Paper-based test score ranges from 310 to 677. The tests have different marking schemes. There is no minimum requirement for the TOEFL, but you find that schools have their own set standard of what one should score in the TOEFL. With detailed analysis of the TOEFL exam, one can get well acclimated with the structure and format of the paper.