TOEFL

What exactly is the TOEFL test?

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is one of the English proficiency examinations that is most generally accepted at educational institutions around the globe, including those in the United States of America and Canada. The acronym TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language, and the purpose of the test is to evaluate the knowledge and comprehension of English possessed by international students in the context of college and university settings, where the language is read, written, and spoken. ETS (Educational Testing Services), the organisation in charge of conducting the TOEFL exam, is in charge of providing the TOEFL iBT test as well as emailing each examinee their scorecard. ETS is also responsible for giving the TOEFL exam.

Students may now take the TOEFL exam from the convenience of their own homes, as a result of the launch of the TOEFL at Home version of the TOEFL examination. This comes as a direct response to the current global flu pandemic. ETS has also produced the TOEFL Essential Test, which is a shorter form of the TOEFL test that will be available to students beginning on August 21, 2021. This version of the TOEFL test is just as effective as the longer version. ETS recently made the decision to begin recognising Aadhar Cards as valid forms of student identification for anybody registering for the TOEFL exam in India. As you continue reading, you will acquire knowledge not only regarding these current adjustments but also regarding other topics.

Students who wish to pursue their education in a foreign country have the option of taking the TOEFL exam at one of several test centres located in major cities, selecting a TOEFL Test Date from among the many that are offered throughout the year, or taking the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test from the comfort of their own homes. Candidates who are getting ready to take the TOEFL test will gain knowledge about the most important topics covered in the TOEFL exam as they read.

TOEFL Exam Details

Exam	TOEFL
Full-Form	Test of English as a Foreign Language
Purpose	English language proficiency test
Conducting Body	Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Level of Exam	International
Mode of Exam	Internet-based and Paper-based
Sections	Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking
Duration	Around 3 hours 30 minutes
TOEFL Fee	TOEFL iBT fee: $185 (INR 13,652) TOEFL PBT fee: $180 (INR 13,283)
Score Range	Reading: 0–30 Listening: 0–30 Speaking: 0–30 Writing: 0–30
TOEFL Test Centers	4500 across the world
Official Website	https://www.ets.org/toefl
TOEFL Helpline	1-609-771-7100 1-877-863-3546
Fax	1-610-290-8972

Why Is the TOEFL Exam So Crucial?

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) will become an essential part of your plan to attend a university in another country, particularly one that is predominately an English-speaking establishment, once you make the decision to pursue your goal of earning a higher education from a university in another country.
• You are required to earn a passing score on the TOEFL test in order to continue your studies in an English language programme or to enter a school that specialises in information technology training.
• It displays both your ability to communicate in English and your comprehension of the language.
  Reading, listening, speaking, and writing are all considered to be components of usage and understanding across the board.
• Over one hundred and thirty countries, such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Australia, utilise this particular criterion or standard for judging something.
• The fact that the measurement pattern governs the admissions processes of more than 8000 different colleges speaks volumes about the pattern’s importance on a global scale.

Who Ought to Take the TOEFL Examination?

People who take the TOEFL exam often have the goal of attending a college or university in another nation, either for their undergraduate or graduate education. On the other hand, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is available to anybody who wishes to show academic-level English ability. This group includes anyone who is applying to a high school or community college in another country, participating in an exchange programme, or seeking a student visa.

TOEFL Exam: Latest Update 2023

1. After acquiring IDP IELTS, AAERI will begin promoting TOEFL in India. This comes as a direct result of the purchase.

The Association of Australian Education Representatives in India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) TOEFL in response to the concerns voiced by agents on IDP Education’s purchase of IELTS India. Members of AAERI entertained the possibility that the revelation might result in an increase in competitiveness due to the fact that IDP also functions as an agency and uses testing data for student recruiting campaigns.

2. Beginning on July 1, Aadhaar cards will be recognised as valid forms of identification for the TOEFL exam.

Students in India may now register for the TOEFL and use their Aadhaar cards as a form of identification. ETS, the organisation in charge of administering the exam instrument, took into account the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak as well as the significant number of students who were having trouble getting passports.

3. The English Testing Service (ETS) has introduced a new exam titled “TOEFL Essentials.”

TOEFL Essentials is a new English language exam developed by ETS that lasts for a total of 90 minutes and focuses equally on general English and academic English content that has been generated from academic literature at the university level. In contrast, the TOEFL iBT test is only comprised of academic English reading and listening passages and listening comprehension questions. In addition, the test, which is scheduled to become available in August of 2021, will evaluate four communication abilities that are valuable in a variety of contexts, including academic and non-academic ones, such as job interviews and internships.

4. According to the Home Edition of the Internet-Based TOEFL, it is widely accepted.

Recent information presented in a webinar indicated that the TOEFL BT Home Edition is currently recognised by over 11,000 educational institutions and organisations all around the world. It was also mentioned that all schools who administer the TOEFL BT test also accept the home exam because both versions of the test are considered to be equal.

5. Taking the TOEFL iBT at Home After the Pandemic as an Available Option

The ETS has decided to continue offering the TOEFL BT exam after the epidemic because students are adamant about pursuing their dreams of studying overseas and there has been a huge response to the test here in the United States.

Variety of TOEFL Exams

There are TWO distinct types of TOEFL examinations:

TOEFL – PBT
IELTS – TOEFL iBT
In addition to other alternatives to the TOEFL test, such as the TOEFL Junior and the IPT.

Let’s start by defining the two primary components of the TOEFL exam:

The Paper Based Test of the TOEFL (PBT)

Offline administration is used for the Paper-based test, which is one of the TOEFL exam formats that is used the most frequently. It runs for a total of two hours and twenty-five minutes, is broken up into three parts, and is only offered in areas that do not have access to the internet. Have a look at the sample questions that are offered for the TOEFL iBT exam below.

Section	Duration	Number of Questions	Question Types
Reading	54 minutes	30 MCQs	3 Reading Comprehension Passages with 10 questions each
Listening	41 minutes approx.	28 MCQs	2 Conversations with 3 lectures and a total of 28 questions
Writing	50 minutes	2 Constructed Responses	1 Integrated Task & 1 Independent Task

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (iBT)

Reading, hearing, speaking, and writing are the four subtests that make up the Internet-delivered version of the TOEFL, and you have a total of four hours to complete the test. It has taken the position of the computer-based examination, which has been out of use since 2006, and has become one of the most common types of TOEFL tests. Consider the following key aspects of the computer-based TOEFL test:

Section	Duration	Number of Questions	Question Types
Reading	54-72 minutes	10 questions/passage	3-4 Reading Comprehension Passages
Listening	41-57 minutes	6 questions/lecture	4-6 lectures & 2-3 conversations
Speaking	17 minutes	4 Tasks	The candidate needs to speak on a topic or academic issue
Writing	50 minutes	2 Tasks	Given an opinion or provide a logical analysis after a reading passage and classroom lecture

Additional Forms of the TOEFL Exam

You need be aware of the three less common variations of the TOEFL test in addition to the two major versions of the exam that you are already acquainted with in order to enrol in a programme abroad.

The following are some of them:

• The Computer-Based Examination, often known as the CBT, was formerly a popular format for taking the TOEFL exam; however, it has now been rendered obsolete by the Internet-based test, and the CBT format was discontinued in 2006.
• TOEFL IPT: IPT stands for Institutional Testing Program, and it is a test of English proficiency that is typically administered in academic contexts to individuals whose first language is not English.
• Exams for the TOEFL Junior Program: The TOEFL Junior Exams are designed to evaluate the level of English proficiency of middle school pupils ages 11 and older. Paper-based and computer-based versions are also readily accessible for your perusal. This test consists of four different parts: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, speaking comprehension, and writing comprehension.

Difference between TOEFL PBT, TOEFL CBT & TOEFL IBT

TOEFL PBT	TOEFL CBT	TOEFL IBT
The TOEFL PBT exam is given on paper using a pencil. This test assesses hearing, reading, writing, and grammatical abilities. This test is only available in places where Internet access is not available. It takes roughly 2.5 hours to finish the test.	The TOEFL CBT, often known as the TOEFL Computer-Based Test, assesses your English language competence in an academic setting. It is owned by Educational Testing Service (ETS) in the United States. It is used in over 300 nations throughout the world. TOEFL CBT is an evolution of TOEFL PBT. TOEFL CBT scores vary from 0 and 300.	The TOEFL iBT ® test is accepted and chosen by colleges worldwide. It is a high-quality, high-standard test that ensures admissions officers of your preparation for the classroom and beyond. The TOEFL test has been chosen by over 35 million people worldwide to demonstrate their English-language ability.

TOEFL Exam Eligibility

Students who desire to further their education in a foreign country are required to take the TOEFL exam. There is a lot of misunderstanding among students regarding the TOEFL eligibility criteria. The fact that ETS, the organisation in charge of administering the TOEFL iBT, has not created any age limitations, educational criteria, or prerequisites for taking the TOEFL exam will come as a relief to candidates.

TOEFL Exam Fee

TOEFL Fees in India in 2023: The fee of registering for the TOEFL exam varies from area to region. The cost of the TOEFL exam in India is US$190, which is equivalent to Rs. 14,242.11 ($1 = 74.96). In addition to that, applicants are required to pay additional fees for services such as late registration, rescheduling of the exam, and score review. The costs of several different services are shown down below.

TOEFL Registration Fee	$190
TOEFL Late Registration Fee	$40
TOEFL Rescheduling Fees	$60

Time Required for the TOEFL Exam

The full exam may be finished in around three hours, but you need to allow yourself a total of three days and twelve hours to check in.

The Structure of the TOEFL Exam and Its Syllabus

Reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English will all be evaluated as parts of the TOEFL 2021 exam format. Both the Reading and Listening portions of the TOEFL test consist of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), with the total number of MCQs ranging anywhere from 58 to 79. The assignments in the writing section of the TOEFL are descriptive. During the speaking portion of the exam, candidates are required to provide responses to the questions that range from succinct to in-depth. Approximately three hours are allotted for the TOEFL exam. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) evaluates a candidate’s performance by integrating four distinct language skills:

• Reading an assigned passage, listening to an audio recording or lecture, and providing an answer to a certain question;
• Attending a recording or lecture and providing a written response in response to a question that has been predetermined;
• Reading a chapter, listening to a tape or lecture, and providing a written response to a particular topic are the components of this activity.

Dates for the TOEFL Exam

Dates for the TOEFL Exam 2023: You should make arrangements to take the TOEFL iBT exam at least one month in advance of the deadline for your first application. You will have plenty of time to work on your applications as a result of this, and if you feel that you need to retake the test after three days, you will have the opportunity to do so. If the deadline for your application is in November, you should schedule the exam for October at the latest. In the second part of October, you will have another opportunity to take the TOEFL if you believe that doing so is necessary. You will have the opportunity to repeat the TOEFL test three days following your initial attempt. Candidates can check our website for accurate information on the TOEFL dates.

TOEFL Registration

The TOEFL examination can be taken at any time during the year; however, exam dates are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. You get to choose the day of the exam as well as the venue that works best for you. In addition, there are more registration options available for the test.

The following is a rundown of the three different TOEFL registration modes:

• Registration may be done in a variety of ways, but the one that is most commonly used and convenient is online registration. Your registration can be completed at any time, day or night, during the whole week. It is required that reservations be made at least seven days before the scheduled exam day.
• Candidates who are interested in running for office can also register by phone if they like. The TOEFL registration number for anyone who are going to be taking the exam in India is 91-124-4147700.
• Register by Mail: Individuals who are unable to register using the methods described above may, as an alternative, register by mail. To accomplish this, you must first obtain the form from the official TOEFL website, ensure that it is complete, and then send it in at least four weeks before the exam date that you have selected. You may search for a TOEFL centre in your area on the official website, and then send in the form to the same address shown there. A confirmation will be generated when a successful registration has been completed.

The registration fee for the TOEFL (iBT/PBT) is $190. (INR 14,086). Not included are any taxes or fees that may apply in their respective jurisdictions.

• In order to register for the te test, please follow these steps:
• On the official website of the ETS, you may make your profile.
• Please ensure that all of the essential fields, including your name, address, and email address, are filled out.
• Make sure that the information you provide is consistent with what is printed in your passport ( Most important, your name must match your ID exactly.)
• The next step is to pay the application fee.

TOEFL Exam Results

The time it will take for you to receive your TOEFL results once you have finished the exam is not going to be very long at all. At the conclusion of the exam, participants will have the opportunity to go at their unofficial Reading and Listening scores. You will be contacted via email as soon as your official scores have been uploaded to the website. After logging in to your account for the TOEFL iBT, navigate to the Scores page.

You will be able to view your official TOEFL iBT score within six days after the exam day. Examinees who select the Special Home Edition of the TOEFL test will have their results delivered to them within six to 10 days following the test date.

The candidate’s score report will be mailed to them within 11 days of the test date if they requested a print copy of their score report prior to taking the exam. The local postal authorities will be in charge of determining the delivery schedules.

Countries That Accept the TOEFL Exam

Countries such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Singapore, and Japan, as well as other countries where English proficiency is necessary for admission to graduate schools and universities.

Universities That Do Not Require a TOEFL Score

The Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) is widely recognised as the premier English-language examination for academic and professional purposes, as well as for immigration purposes. It is accepted by over 11,500 educational facilities and governments in over 160 countries.

Name of the University	IELTS Minimum Score
Ohio State University–Columbus	71
Golden Gate University	71
Indiana State University	61
Cleveland State University	65
East Tennessee State University	61
University of Tulsa	70
Bowling Green State University	61
Arizona State University	61
Oregon State University	53
Lehigh University	75
University of Pacific	53-70
Clark University Worcester	60-69
Pittsburg State University	60
The University of New Mexico	68
The University of Montana	70

Which test, the TOEFL or the IELTS, is more well recognised?

It is more frequent for American institutions to recognise the TOEFL, while results from the IELTS are more often recognised internationally; nonetheless, scores from either exam are accepted by a large number of schools. However, you should also take into consideration the school’s preference about the examination that you take.