What is TOEFL?
TOEFL stands for Test of Egnlish as a Foreign Language. It is a test designed to measure the English Language ability of people who do not speak Egnlish as their first language and who plan to study at colledges and universities in North America as either undergraduate or graduate students. It has been founded by ETS, English Testing Service, firstly as TOEFL Paper-pencil Based-Test (PBT); however, this test is no longer available for test takers, but it is still acceptable for some institutions and colledges as well as some university.
Following PBT, another new version of TOEFL was introduced, which is called Computer Based-Test TOEFL. It is more or less more sophisticated than PBT that requires test takers to at least have some computer knowledge becasue the test is done through computer.
Anyways, there is very few differences between TOEFL Paper and Pencil Based-Test and TOEFL Computer Based-Test. The contents of the two tests are devided into four sections:
Part One: Listening Comprehension which classified into three parts: short conversation, long talks between two or more peole, and disscussion parts which are all about lecture or any other academic talks.
Part Two: Structure and Written Expression, which is about to test your understanding of English grammar and Englsih formal writing expression and which you have to spend approximately 15-20 minutes. This part is devided into categories namely structure completion and written expression that you have to identify the error in the sentence. Click here for more ebook downlaod.
Part Three: Reading Comprehension contains a number of reading passages of varying difficulty, which is to test your understanding of how to interpret the information from the passages. Generally, the passages are about academic subject such as the biography of writers, history and main events related to America. This part lasts about 70-90 minutes, which you have around 50-55 question to deal with.
Part Four: Writing which test your ability of writng an essay on an assigned topic that you have to write about 300 to 500 words. You will be given a topic that later you need to use your own words to support or argue with. Remember this part is only 30 minutes. Click here for more ebook downlaod.
However, on CBT you must have some computer background since all parts are done through computer.
Nowadays, the last new version of TOEFL is popularly known as TOEFL iBT standing for TOETL internet Based-Test has been recognized as the most standardized test for those who wish to study abraod especailly in America. (Available TOEFL iBT sample questions)
What is the iBT TOFEL test like?
The new test does away with the grammar component and replaces it with speaking. Grammar is now assessed within the speaking and writing components. In a lot of ways it is much closer to IELTs and I'd suggest using IELTs resources rather than old CBT resources.
Speaking
You speak into a microphone and you will be given the chance to talk about 2 familiar topics. (Similar to IELTs Speaking task 2) and 4 topics based on what you have heard and read.
The files are then sent back to HQ for assessment, they are NOT assessed by computer.
Listening
In the listening you will be given the chance to take notes, but remember in this exam questions come after the listening. You will listen to 4-6 lectures and 2-3 conversations. (You will also be expected to listen in the speaking and writing sections)
Reading
You will read 3-5 passages with the usual array of multiple choice questions. You will also be expected to do a note-taking task. There is now a glossary, that does NOT mean you can look up ANY word, just certain subject-specific words.
Writing
You write 1 opinion essay (argumentative) and 1 essay that is based on the material you have read and listened to.
Stratergies for TOEFL iBT (HERE)
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