If you want to study in the USA, you will almost certainly have to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL is taken by thousands of students every year and although US universities and colleges are starting to accept a broader range of English language proficiency tests, TOEFL still remains the most widely recognised test for admission to degree programmes and many other college courses. TOEFL is also accepted by some universities outside the US.
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If you are not a native speaker of English but have studied in an English-speaking country for at least three years, US colleges will probably waive the TOEFL requirement. However, this is done on a case-by-case basis, and you must check with each individual institution rather than assume that you do not have to take the test.
The TOEFL Information Bulletin
If the colleges you are applying to require a TOEFL score, the first thing you need to do is obtain the TOEFL information bulletin. This free booklet provides information on how to register for the TOEFL, fees and payment methods, registration forms, a list of test centres, what happens on the test day, scoring information, and some sample questions. As it contains so much information, the booklet is quite long, but a thorough reading will pay off in terms of following the correct registration procedures and a clear understanding of the test. The bulletin is available on the TOEFL Website at www.ets.org/toefl , and is also available by mail from the test administrators (or from their local representatives in some countries), as well as from US educational advising centres around the world. To find the closest source to you, either consult the TOEFL Website or contact a US Embassy or Consulate for details of your nearest US educational advising centre.
The TOEFL is currently offered as an Internet-based test (iBT) or paper-based test (pBT). Both tests are administered at secure testing centres in various cities around the world where there a number of people taking the test at the same time on computer workstations.
The internet-based test has four mandatory sections which assess reading (36 - 70 questions), listening (34 - 51 questions), speaking (6 tasks), and writing skills (2 tasks).
Where the internet-based test is not yet available, the paper-based test will be given.
You can register for TOEFL by mail, fax, telephone and online. There are registration centres worldwide, whose details are in the TOEFL bulletin. To register by fax, telephone or online, you need a credit card. Payments by mail can be made by cheque in US dollars or a number of other currencies, by credit card or by other methods, all of which are detailed in the information bulletin.
Some test centres are extremely busy so it is wise to register well in advance of when you plan to take the test.
Once your registration has been processed, you will be told your actual test date and the full test centre address. In many countries there are strict security procedures on the day of the test, so make sure you know what identification you will have to take with you to the test centre.
Preparing for the TOEFL
At the very least, it is wise to familiarise yourself with the test format and practice some test questions before you arrive at the test centre. The amount of practice you will need to do will depend on your English language ability, the time available before you take the test, and how familiar you feel with the test format. While the TOEFL information bulletin provides some sample questions, there are also various TOEFL preparation materials produced by both the test administrators (the Educational Testing Service) and by independent test preparation companies. The test administrators' materials focus on practising actual past questions and complete tests, while the latter are independent companies which aim to help students improve their performance on the test using a variety of strategies and techniques. Materials are available for purchase on the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website, and may also be available in bookstores or from your nearest US educational advising centre. Before buying materials, check the contents to find out whether they provide preparation for the computer-based or paper-based TOEFL.
In addition, a number of organisations offer test training courses or private tuition for the TOEFL for a fee. US educational advisory centres can usually provide you with a list of test trainers, but many trainers advertise in educational publications. Some things to consider before signing up for a course include how many hours of tuition are provided, whether the tuition is provided on videotape or by a 'live' teacher, what training and experience the teachers have, and how they measure your improvement throughout the course. If the course is offered at an English language school, check what accreditation the school holds. If you are not sure about a course, ask if you can sit in on a class as an observer, or speak to past participants.
Each section on the TOEFL iBT test (reading, writing, listening and speaking) is scored on a scale of 0-30. The total score is the sum of all the four skill scores and is on a scale of 0 - 120.
The total paper-based test score is reported on a scale that ranges from 310 - 677.
Your scores will be sent by ETS to up to four of the institutions you specified when you registered. This service is included in the price of the registration fee.
What score do you need for entry into a US degree programme?
This will vary, with each college setting it's own minimum. Check your college or university's website for their specific requirements.
English language test scores are just one part of the admission process for colleges, but an important part. Plan ahead, read the registration information thoroughly and give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the test and for the scores to reach the colleges. For further information on the TOEFL consult www.ets.org/toefl, or contact your nearest US educational advising centre for help with this and other aspects of applying to study in the USA.
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