Here are some important facts you should know about the TOEFL exam if you plan to move to an English speaking country as a resident or enroll in school there as a student. Note that the TOEFL is no longer accepted in the United Kingdom. ETS, Educational Testing Services' contract in the U.K., expired and was not renewed due to a cheating scandal that arose regarding the TESL exam (also offered by ETS in addition to the TOEFL). However, the IELTS exam is a U.K. based exam and is accepted at nearly all colleges and universities in the U.K. You might also want to know that IELTS is accepted at nearly two-thirds of all colleges and universities in the USA.
Definitions
TOEFL - Test Of English as a Foreign Language
iBT - Internet Based Test
PBT - Paper Based Test
CBT - Computer Based Test (no longer used)
Facts About TOEFL
- Most major cities in China have a testing center where the test is given.
- The test can be taken only once every 12 days.
- You can take the exam multiple times and you can have your highest scores reported to the university you desire to attend.
- The test/registration fee in China is 1,540 RMB.
- You can register and pay online at www.etest.edu.cn
- You can use an ATM/Bankcard from Bank of China, China Merchants Bank or ICBC Bank
- The test has 4 sections/parts - reading, listening, speaking and writing
- Each part has a possible total points of 30
- Total possible score for the whole exam is 120
- Most desirable colleges/universities require a score of 100 or more (you can go to the following link to check individual schools' requirements - http://www.americanexamservices.com/about-the-toefl/toefl-scores-usa-universities ; please note that some schools have requirements, but the average student who is accepted has a higher score; i.e. Harvard requires a score of 100 or more, but the average student accepted to Harvard scores 109 (I have firsthand experience with Harvard with one of my private students who is now attending the Harvard Medical School).
- Total time for the exam is 4 hours. A mandatory 10 minute break will be offered.
- Exam begins at 8:30 a.m. sharp (on time). If you are late, you will not be allowed to take the exam and must reschedule.
- Exam places and dates can be found at www.etest.edu.cn
4 Sections/Parts
1. Reading - You will be given 4-6 passages to read. You will answer questions for comprehension of those passages. No prior knowledge of the subject matter is required. The TOEFUL iBT requires you filling in tables and completing summaries. Time allowed for Listening Section is 60-100 minutes.
2. Listening - You will listen to 6 passages which are each 3-5 minutes long. These will include conversations, lectures and/or discussions. You are allowed to hear each passage only one time. Conversations have 5 questions each. Lectures have 6 questions each. Time allowed for the Listening Section is 60-90 minutes.
3. Speaking - 6 tasks are given. Two tasks are independent tasks. Four tasks are integrated tasks. Independent tasks will require you to express your preferences or opinions. Integrated tasks will require you to reflect the preferences or opinions of others that are presented within a conversation between two people. You will speak into a microphone on the computer and your answers will be digitally recorded. There will be 3-6 raters (graders or people who grade and score your exam) will listen to your responses and determine your score. An average is taken of the raters and given to you.
4. Writing - Writing includes 2 tasks. One is independent and one is integrated. You will write a summary of the integrated task. You will write an essay of the independent task reflecting your opinion, preferences or choices.
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