Page 4 - TEST BOOK

What is the TOEFL?

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a vital measure of proficiency in
English. TOEFL covers the essentials of English, including listening, reading, speaking, and
writing. TOEFL focuses on the effective application of English in an academic situation. The
test is designed to assess how foreign students will perform in an English-only academic
setting. The test requires not only the understanding of given material, but also the
effective application of that material for specific academic purposes. The TOEFL assumes
that test takers have a mastery of the basic principles of English, and such mastery is
essential for success on the test. This point cannot be overemphasized. Gaining proficiency
in the fundamentals of English (grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening, speaking, writing
skills) is the first step to success on the TOEFL. The TOEFL, therefore, leads to the right
direction in English study because it requires the realistic application of the test takers’
English abilities.

TOEFL and ETS (Educational Testing Service)
Since 1963, the TOEFL has been used by scholarship selection committees of governments,
universities, and agencies such as Fulbright, the Agency for International Development,
AMIDEAST, the Latin American Scholarship Program, and many others as the standard
measure to evaluate English proficiency of candidates whose native language is not English.
Also, most admissions committees at colleges and universities in the United States and
Canada refer to TOEFL test scores. They require foreign applicants to submit TOEFL scores
along with transcripts to be considered for admission.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS), based in Princeton, New Jersey, USA, administers
the test under the general direction of the College Board and Graduate Record Examinations
Board. The test is administered via internet at various ETS approved locations, most
typically on college campuses. ETS also administers a number of other tests utilized by
academic institutions, including the SAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and PRAXIS. Because there are
no passing or failing scores on tests administered by ETS, each institution applies its own
standards.

TOEFL Scoring

The TOEFL iBT assesses a test taker’s English proficiency on a 120 point scale, with 30
points being assigned to each of the 4 major English proficiencies (reading, listening,
speaking, and writing). What constitutes an acceptable score on the TOEFL will vary from
institution to institution. Furthermore, some institutions may place a heavier emphasis on
the score of one section of the test than on the score from another section.

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