Purpose of the TOEFL Test
The purpose of the TOEFL test is to evaluate the English proficiency of people whose native language is not English. In 2000-01, more than 517,915 people registered to take the computer-based TOEFL test. The scores are required for purposes of admission by more than 4,200 two- and four-year colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. TOEFL is also used by institutions in other countries where English is the language of instruction. In addition, government agencies, scholarship programs, and licensing/certification agencies use TOEFL scores to evaluate English proficiency.
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TOEFL on Computer
The TOEFL test was introduced as a computer-based test in July 1998 in many parts of the world. It combines many of the same question types as the traditional paper-based test with new question types that can be offered only on the computer.
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TOEFL Information Bulletin for Computer-Based Testing
This free publication is the primary source of information for individuals who wish to take the computer-based TOEFL test. It contains information about scheduling an appointment for the test, a list of test centers, identification requirements, information about scores, and more. While most of the information in the Bulletin is on this Web site, it is important that you obtain a copy and read it thoroughly so you are prepared when you arrive at the test center.
You may obtain the Bulletin by
Requesting a copy from the distribution office for your country or area.
Ordering online. Your copy will be mailed from Ewing, NJ, USA. Please allow up to eight weeks for delivery to an address outside the United States.
Downloading a copy. To download, you must have Acrobat? Reader 4.0 installed on your computer. If you do NOT have this software on your system, click here.
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About the Tutorials
On the day of the test, you will be required to go through seven tutorial lessons. The tutorials will teach you basic computer skills and how to answer the test questions. The tutorials are not scored; you can spend as much time as you need on them. BEFORE the test begins, you will be shown tutorials on:
How to use a mouse -- to answer most questions, you will use a mouse. The tutorial will demonstrate how to use a mouse and gives you an opportunity to practice.
How to scroll -- to view reading passages that do not fit on the screen at one time, you will need to move the passage up and down on the screen. This tutorial will demonstrate how to use the scroll bar and provides practice in scrolling.
If you have experience using a computer, you may feel you do not need to review the "mouse" and "scroll" tutorials before the day of the test. However, we encourage you to go through the following five tutorials BEFORE you go to the test center. The more familiar you are with them, the more comfortable you will be taking the test.
How to use the testing tools -- at the bottom of each test screen you will see some boxes with pictures or symbols in them (icons). These "testing tools" will help you to move through the test and get information.
Answering the test questions -- there is one tutorial for each section of the test: Listening, Structure, Reading, and Writing. The tutorials will demonstrate how to answer the questions and provide additional practice to help reinforce what you learned in the lessons. When you have finished the practice questions, you will see which questions you answered correctly and incorrectly.
Additional information about the tutorials is provided in the TOEFL Information Bulletin for Computer-Based Testing.The tutorials can be viewed for free on this Web site. They are also available in a downloadable file for US$8 and in the TOEFL Sampler CD-ROM for US$15.
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The Four Sections of the Test
The computer-based TOEFL test has four sections. The first two sections of the test -- Listening and Structure -- are computer-adaptive, meaning that you will receive test questions targeted to your performance level. In these two sections, your first question will be of average difficulty. The question you receive next will be one that best fits your performance and the design of t
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he test. In the Listening and Structure sections, you will be able to change your answer as often as you like until you have made your final choice, confirmed your answer, and moved on to the next one. Once you move on to the next question, you will NOT be allowed to go back to a previous question. Your answer to each question presented on the screen helps determine the difficulty level of the next question you will be given. You must answer at least one question in each section and compose an essay to receive an official score report.
Listening -- Measures ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America.
You will use headphones to listen to the conversations and talks. While you are listening, pictures of the speakers or other information will be presented on your computer screen. There are two parts to the Listening section, with special directions for each part.
On the day of the test, the amount of time you will have to answer all the questions will appear on the computer screen. The time you spend listening to the test material will not be counted. The listening material and questions about it will be presented only one time. You will not be allowed to take notes or have any paper at your computer. You will both see and hear the questions before the answer choices appear. You can take as much time as you need to select an answer; however, it will be to your advantage to answer the questions as quickly as possible. You may change your answer as many times as you want before you confirm it. After you have confirmed an answer, you will not be able to return to the questions.
Before you begin working on the Listening section, you will have an opportunity to adjust the sound. You will be able to change the volume on your headset.
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Structure -- Measures ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard written English.
There are two types of questions in this section. The first type consists of incomplete sentences. Beneath each sentence are four words or phrases. You will choose the one word or phrase that best completes the sentence.
Here is an example:
The second type of question has four underlined words or phrases. You will choose the one underlined word or phrase that must be changed for the sentence to be correct.
Here is an example:
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Reading -- Measures ability to read and understand short passages similar in topic and style to those that students are likely to encounter in North American universities and colleges. This section contains reading passages and questions about the passages.
Here is an example:
Because the selection of these passages and questions will not be based on your performance, you will be allowed to go back to previous questions within this section.
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Writing -- Measures ability to write in English on an assigned topic. In this section, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to write in English. This includes the ability to generate and organize ideas, to support those ideas with examples or evidence, and to compose in standard written English in response to an assigned topic.
On the day of the test, you will be given a topic and will have 30 minutes to write an essay on that topic. Before the topic is presented, you must choose whether to type your essay on the computer or to handwrite your essay on the answer sheet provided.
Scratch paper will be given to you for making notes. However, only your response -- whether handwritten or typed -- will be scored.
The essay topic will be presented to you on the computer screen. The essay screen will be similar to this:
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Test-Taking Suggestions
To be comfortable with all sections of the test, spend as much time as you need with the tutorial for each timed section.
To use the allotted time for each section wisely, familiarize yourself with how to use the computer and the types of materials, questions, and directions that are in the test. Become familiar with the formats and requirements of each section of the test as described in the tutorials.
The directions at the beginning of each
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section will tell you the total number of questions in the section and time allowed for the section. Read the directions carefully. They explain exactly what is required to answer each question type and can be reviewed as needed.
Read each question carefully and thoroughly. Before answering a question, determine exactly what is being asked. Always read and understand all possible answers. If you do not, you may miss important information.
Pace yourself so that you have enough time to answer every question. Pay attention to the number of questions and the amount of time remaining during your testing session. Do not spend too much time on a single question.
Answer every question in each section. This will allow you to get your best possible score.
You must answer each question in the Listening and Structure sections (the computer-adaptive sections) before you can go on to the next one. If you do not know the answer to a question, eliminate any answer choices that are obviously incorrect.
In Listening and Structure, confirm your answer only when you are certain you are ready to move on to the next question. You cannot omit questions or go back and change answers. In Reading, you will be allowed to go back and change your answers.
To prepare for the Writing section of the test, practice by using the Writing topics found in the TOEFL Information Bulletin. You will have 30 minutes to compose your assigned essay. You may either handwrite your essay or type it on the computer. To help you decide if you want to type your essay, see the Writing tutorial.
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