What is TOEFL?

What is TOEFL?
(Indonesian Version)

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an English Test designed and developed by ETS (Educational Testing Service) in New Jersey, USA since 1963. 

What is TOEFL Test For?

• TOEFL Test is aimed at measuring the student's proficiency in academic contexts.
• The purpose of the test is also to evaluate the English proficiency of non native speaker of English.  It is required by English language colleges and universities. Additionally, institutions such as government agencies, business, or scholarship programs may require this test. 

Next Article is Types of Toefl Test.

Advantages of TOEFL Test

Previous Article: Types of TOEFL Test

The TOEFL Test Gives You Advantages

1. More Choices

More than 7,500 colleges, universities and agencies in more than 130 countries rely on TOEFL test scores to help make admissions decisions. 

2. More Convenient

You can take the TOEFL test at your choice of more than 4,500 conveniently located test sites in more than 165 countries worldwide. You also save time and money since the entire test is given in one day, rather than coming back a second day like some other tests.

3. Measures Academic Skills

The TOEFL test helps prove you have the English skills you will actually use in an academic classroom. In the test, you may read a passage from a textbook and listen to a lecture and then speak or write in response, just like you would in a classroom. Because the test is composed of 100% academic questions and tasks, many universities consider it the most appropriate test to use when making admissions decisions.

4. Rates Speaking More Fairly

Sure, you can take a test with a Speaking interview, but what if your interviewer has a bad day and rates you lower than you deserve? With the TOEFL test, there's no doubt your score is more objective and reliable, because Speaking responses are recorded and evaluated by three to six ETS raters rather than only one rater from a local testing site.

5. Scores Help You Stand Out

TOEFL test scores help you stand out because of the TOEFL test's reputation for quality, fairness and 100% academic composition. It is the most widely accepted English-language test in the world, including more than 7,500 colleges, universities, agencies and other institutions in 130 countries. And that list includes the top 100 universities in the world.

Source:

ETS

Types of TOEFL Test

 Previous Article: What is TOEFL?

TOEFL Test, released by ETS, has three types;
(Indonesian Version)

1. PBT (Paper Based Test)
2. CBT (Computer Based Test)
3. IBT ( Internet Based Test)

1. PBT (Paper Based Test)

PBT-TOEFL is the first type of TOEFL Test released by ETS. PBT-TOEFL system still uses paper and/or sheets of paper and answer sheets that must be filled with 2B pencil.

The test lasts for 2 to 2.5 hours and The materials tested are:

• Listening
• Structure, and 
• Reading 

 A score range of PBT is 310-677.

2. CBT (Computer Based Test)

CBT-TOEFL is the second form of TOEFL TEST replacing PBT-TOEFL. CBT-TOEFL doesn't use paper any more, but computer. All test materials are stored in computer and the Test is directly done in computer, too. CBT was firstly issued in 1998.

The test lasts for 2 to 2.5 hours and the materials tested are:

• Listening
• Structure
• Reading, and
• Writing 

A score range of CBT is  0 - 300.

3. IBT (Internet Based Test)

iBT-TOEFL or also known as Next Generation (NG) of TOEFL TEST is the latest form of TOEFL Test issued by ETS. ETS did many changes in the test format and system. iBT-TOEFL uses computer media connected to Internet in Test process. Thus, the test participants can directly be on-line with the ETS and the answer test questions are also on-line, too.

The test lasts for 4 hours and the materials tested are:

• Listening
• speaking
• writing, and Reading 

A score range of iBT is 0-120.

Next Article: Advantages of TOEFL Test 

TOEFL Listening diagnostic pre-test

Th Following Pre Test is for Paper Based Test only.

Dianostic listening pre-test is held to

1. Find out someone's listening skill before studying the skills. 
2.  Check how far TOEFL Test Takers have mastered listening skills

The dianostic pre-test consists of three parts:

1. Listening Part A or short dialogue, has 30 numbers
2. Listening Part B or longer conversation, has eight numbers, and
3. Part C speech or talks, has twelve humbers.

Dianostic pre-test usually takes about 35 minutes. The test also includes the directon on how to do the listening pre-test.

DIAGNOSTIC PRE-TEST

SECTION 1

LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Tune—approximately 35 minutes

(including the reading of the directions for each part)

In this section of the test, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to understand conversations and talks in English. There are three parts to this section, with special directions for each part. Answer all the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied by the speakers you hear. Do not take notes or write in your test book at any time. Do not turn the pages until you are told to do so.

Part A

Directions: In Part A you will hear short conversations between two people. After each conversation, you will hear a question about the conversation. The conversations and questions will not be repeated. After you hear a question, read the four possible answers in your test book and choose the best answer. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Here is an example.

On the recording, you will hear:

(man)      : That exam was just awful.
(woman) : Oh, it could have been worse.
(narrator): What does the woman mean?

In your test book, you will read:

(A). The exam was really awful.
(B). It was the worst exam she had ever seen.
(C). It couldn’t have been more difficult.
(D). It wasn’t that hard.

You learn from the conversation that the man thought the exam was very difficult and that the woman disagreed with the man. The best answer to the question, “What does the woman mean?” is (D), “It wasn’t that hard.” Therefore, the correct choice is (D).

1. (A) Her concerns were expressed.
(B) She wonders if the concert was good.
(C) The music was fantastic.
(D) She wandered about during the night.

2. (A) In a bus station.
(B) In a post office.
(C) In an airport.
(D) In a travel agency.

3. (A) He spends half his time with his daughter.
(B) His daughter’s under a year old.
(C) His daughter will start school in a year and a half.
(D) His daughter’s eighteen months old.

4. (A) He’s on the basketball team.
(B) He doesn’t even like to play basketball.
(C) He’s too short to make the team.
(D) He thinks he’s tall enough.

5. (A) She’s thinking about her grade in the seminar.
(B) The seminar is quite realistic.
(C) The seminar will take a great deal of time.
(D) She agrees with the man about the seminar.

6. (A) The location of the meeting.
(B) The purpose of the meeting.
(C) Who will attend the meeting.
(D) The time the meeting starts.

7. (A) Preparing dinner later.
(B) Going to a restaurant.
(C) Cooking a full dinner.
(D) Eating dinner outside in the garden.

8. (A) She is fond of Joe.
(B) Joe is not lost anymore.
(C) She visits Joe regularly.
(D) The call was already made.

9. (A) He was quite fortunate.
(B) He lacked the opportunity to play the game.
(C) He didn’t actually win the game.
(D) He came sometime after Luke.

10. (A) It’s quite clean.
(B) It doesn’t move.
(C) It’s clearly better.
(D) It’s rather dirty.

To get complete diagnostic pre - test, click here to download.

Download Audio, click here

Answer Keys, Click Here

Audio, Click here

Listening Comprehension Section

The first section of the TOEFL test is the Listening Comprehension section. This section consists of fifty questions (some tests may be longer). You will listen to recorded materials and respond to questions about the material. You must listen carefully, because you will hear the recording one time only, and the material on the recording is not written in your test book.

There are three parts in the Listening Comprehension section of the TOEFL test:

1. Part A consists of thirty short conversations, each followed by a question. You must choose the best answer to each question from the four choices in your test book.
2. Part B consists of two longer conversations, each followed by a number of questions. You must choose the best answer to each question from the four choices in your test book.
3. Part C consists of three talks, each followed by a number of questions. You must choose the best answer to each question from the four choices in your test book.

 Read General Strategy of Listening Comprehension Section

General Strategy of Listening comprehension section

Below is the general strategy for Listening Comprehension Section for part A, part B and part C.

1. Be familiar with the directions. The directions on every TOEFL test are the same, so it is not necessary to listen carefully to them each time. You should be completely familiar with the directions before the day of the test.
2. Listen carefully to the conversations and talks. You should concentrate fully on what the speakers are saying on the recording because you will hear the recording one time only.
3. Know where the easier and more difficult questions are generally found. Within each part of the Listening Comprehension section, the questions generally progress from easy to difficult.
4. Never leave any questions blank on your answer sheet. Even if you are unsure of the correct response, you should answer the question. There is no penalty for guessing.
5. Use any remaining time to look ahead at the answers to the questions that follow. When you finish with one question, you may have time to look ahead at the answers to the next question.

Next article is Listening Part A

Listening Part A

(Indonesian Version)
Listening Part A or Short Dialogue is the first part of Listening Comprehension Section. There are thirty questions in this part.  For each of the thirty questions in Part A of the Listening Comprehension section of the TOEFL test, you will hear a short conversation between two speakers followed by a question. The conversations and questions are not written in your test book. After you listen to the conversation and question, you must choose the best answer to the question from your test book.

Example

On the recording, you hear:

(man)       : I need a car to drive to Arizona, and I don’t have one.
(woman)  ; Why not rent one ?
(narrator) : What does the woman suggest ?

In your test book, you read:

(A) Getting a red car.
(B) Renting an apartment in Arizona.
(C) Not driving to Arizona.
(D) Renting a car for the trip.

Answer (D) is the best answer to the question. Why not rent one? is a suggestion that he rent a car for his trip to Arizona.

Next article: Strategy for listening Part A