The Test of English as a foreign Language (TOEFL) is an examination used to evaluate a nonnative English speaker's proficiency in the English language. Many North American colleges and universities, as well large number of institutions, agencies, and program, ask for official TOEFL score reports. An acceptable score on the TOEFL exam depends on the specific requirements of the particular institution or agency involved.
Why TOEFL?
The main reason behind TOEFL is that you can complete your Education in English successfully. The TOEFL is now only available as a computer-adaptive test. This is how it works: instead of having a pre-determined mixture of easy, medium, and hard questions, the computer will select questions for you based on how well you are doing. The first question will be of medium difficulty; if you get it right, the second question will be selected from a large group of questions that are a little harder; if you get the first question wrong, the second will be a little easier. The result is that the test automatically adjusts to your skill level. But the Reading Comprehension is not computer adaptive. The Tough questions have more credit than easier ones.
TEST MODULES
Sections that you must attend while taking TOEFL
Test
The test has four distinct sections: Listening
Comprehension, Structure and Written Expression, Reading
Comprehension and Test of Written English.| SECTION |
NO. OF ITEMS
|
TIME
|
| 1. Listening Comprehension | ||
| Part A questions over short Conversation | 30 | |
| Part B questions over longer Conversation | 8 | |
| Part C questions over talk | 12 | |
| Total | 50 | 35 minutes |
| 2. Structure and Written Expression | ||
| Identifying correct completion | 15 | |
| Identifying incorrect words or phrases | 25 | |
| Total | 40 | 25 minutes |
| 3. Reading Comprehension | ||
| Reading passages | 50 | |
| Total | 50 | 55 minutes |
| 4. Test of Written English* | ||
| One essay, 250-300 words | 1 | |
| Total | 1 | 30 minutes |
SCORE PATTERN FOR TOEFL
The score you receive on the TOEFL exam is not the percentage of correct answers. Your score is converted to take into account the fact that some tests are more difficult than others. The converted scores correct these differences. Therefore, the converted score is a more accurate reflection of your ability than the correct answer score is.
For general idea of your total score, use the table below to convert your Practice Test scores into a TOEFL score.
Note: This may not be the exact score you will receive on the TOEFL.
|
Converted Scores
|
|||
| Correct answer scores | Section 1 | Section 2 | Section 3 |
| 48-50 | 66-68 | 65-67 | |
| 45-47 | 62-65 | 60-64 | |
| 42-44 | 59-61 | 57-59 | |
| 39-41 | 57-58 | 65-68 | 55-56 |
| 36-38 | 55-56 | 61-64 | 53-54 |
| 33-35 | 53-54 | 57-60 | 50-52 |
| 30-32 | 51-52 | 54-56 | 48-49 |
| 27-29 | 49-50 | 51-53 | 46-47 |
| 24-26 | 47-48 | 48-50 | 44-45 |
| 21-23 | 45-46 | 45-47 | 41-43 |
| 18-20 | 43-44 | 42-44 | 38-40 |
| 15-17 | 41-42 | 39-41 | 35-37 |
| 12-14 | 36-40 | 36-38 | 31-34 |
| 9-11 | 32-35 | 30-35 | 29-30 |
| 6-8 | 30-31 | 26-29 | 26-28 |
| 3-5 | 27-29 | 22-25 | 24-25 |
| 0-2 | 24-26 | 20-21 | 21-23 |
In TOEFL we do not get immediate results/score we get a range like 203 to 260.Generally you get a range of about 50 to 60 points. If that is the case and if your essay is fair (of the type(4/6) then you would score about 44 points out of about 57.if your range is 57.Don't calculate your writing score as 4/6*57.In fact you get more than that.
ADVICE AND INFORMATION FOR TOEFL
Preparing for the TOEFL test
1. If you do not have a sound basic knowledge of English, it is best to take English language courses before taking a TOEFL preparation course. TOEFL exam preparation materials are designed to prepare you for the test. They are not designed to teach you English.
2. Begin your TOEFL studies as soon as you decide to take the exam. It will not be useful to try to learn everything the week before the exam date.3. Study on a regular basis. Thoroughly learning a small amount of information daily is better than insufficiently or inaccurately learning a large amount of information at one sitting.
4. All English practice is helpful. Listening to a movie or radio program in English is good for building your listening comprehension skills. Systematically add new words to your vocabulary. Even though these activities are not directly related to the TOEFL test, they will help you.5. Work carefully through the exercise in preparation for the TOEFL Test. It is better to concentrate the most effort on your weak areas.
Studying for the TOEFL Test
- Practice budgeting your time. The TOEFL test is taken under time-limit pressures. Learn to use your time wisely so that you can complete each section.
- Identify your problem areas. Concentrate on those areas, but review other areas as well.
- Know your goal. Write to the administration office of the college or university of your choice, and ask for their entrance requirements. They will confirm what TOEFL score is required for admission.
- Check yourself on the Practice Tests to discover if you usually change correct answers to incorrect answers when unsure of an item. If you do change correct answers to incorrect answers, you will want to stay with your first choice when you take the TOEFL test.
- The test center staff will tell you where to sit. You can ask for the volume of the cassette to be adjusted at the beginning of the test administration, but remember that it is unlikely that all test-takers will be pleased.
- Listen to the instructions carefully. The cassette will explain how to complete the personal data sheet and how to mark your answer sheet. It is important that you follow these instructions.
- If you need to erase, do so thoroughly using a clean eraser.
- Work quickly through the easy item. Be sure to skip a space on the answer sheet when you skip a difficult item. After you answer the easy items, return to the ones you skipped.
- Do not underline any words in the test book or make any notes in either the test book or on the answer sheet. A light checkmark on your answer sheet by any item you wish to recheck should be carefully erased before the end of the test.
- If you finish one of the sections early, go back through only that section to double check your answers. Do not work on any other section of the test. This is not permitted. If you are caught working on the wrong section, your test will be invalidated.
- Be prepare for changes. Occasionally a TOEFL test has a change in format or more items to answer in a longer period of time.
- Answer all questions; however, do not waste time on difficult items. If you think one of two answers is correct, choose one and go on. If you don't know, then you should guess. You are not penalized for guessing, and your guess may be correct.
- If you see that
the time is almost finished and you can't read and
answer all the remaining items, choose A, B, C, or
D as your guess letter and quickly answer the items
with that one letter. You are more likely to get some
correct answers if you use one letter than if you use
them all.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR TOEFL
Here Sample questions of TOEFL exam are given for you to practice as well as to built concept about the TOEFL question pattern. This TOEFL sample paper will help you to score more in TOEFL.
SECTION 1
LISTENING COMPREHENSION
Time - approximately 35 minutes
(including the reading of the directions for each part)
In the Listening Comprehension section of the TOEFL test, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to understand conversations and talks in English. 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 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 book/Computer and choose/click 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.
Listen to an example.
On the recording, you will hear :
(man) I think I'll have the curtains changed.
(woman) They are a bit worn.
(narrator) What does the women mean ?
In your book/computer, you will read:
Sample Question
(A) She thinks every bit of change is important.
(B) She wants to wear them.
(C) She thinks they've been worn enough.
(D) She thinks they're in bad condition.
Part B
Directions: In this part of the test, you will hear longer conversations. After each conversation, you will hear several questions. The conversations and questions will not be repeated.
After you hear a question, read the four possible answers in your book/computer and choose the best answer. Then, on your answer sheet/computer, find the number of the question and fill/click in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
Remember, you should not take notes or write in your book.
Now we will begin Part B with the first conversation.
Sample Question
(A) A well-known painting.
(B) A painting that thieves favor.
(C) A popular painting among the public.
(D) The most valuable painting in the museum.
Part C
Directions: In this part of the test, you will hear several talks. After each talk, you will hear some questions. The talks and questions will not be repeated.
After you hear a question, read the four possible answers in your book and choose the best answer. Then, on your answer sheet/computer, find the number of the question and fill/click in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
Here is an example.
On the recording, you will hear :
Now listen to a sample question.(narrator)
(man)Listening to a talk about an artificial rock-climbing wall.
The largest artificial rock-climbing wall in the United States is located on the campus of Cornell University. This thirty-foot-high climbing wall is made of natural rock that's embedded into concrete blocks, and is sculpted to imitate a variety of elements found on real cliffs. Cornell recently hosted the nation's largest intercollegiate rock-climbing event. Nearly one hundred students from fifteen universities participated in the two-day festival, sponsored by Cornell's Outdoor Education Department.
(narrator) Why is Cornell a good place for climbing ?
In your book, you will read :
Sample Question
(A) The wall is designed with elements of real cliffs.
(B) The natural rocks are embedded into the cliffs.
(C) The sculpted concrete blocks are varied.
(D) The cliffs are challenging.
Now listen to another sample question.
(narrator) What recently happened at Cornell University ?
In your book, you will read :
(A) A wall was constructed.
(B) A festival took place.
(C) An outdoor education course was offered.
(D) A variety of cliff elements were found.
THIS IS THE END OF SECTION 1 OF THE TOEFL TEST
SECTION 2
STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION
Time - 25 minutes
(including the reading of the directions)
Structure
Directions: Questions 1-15 are incomplete sentences. Beneath each sentence you will see four words or phrases, marked (A), (B), (C) and (D). Choose the one word or phrase that best completes the sentence. Then, on your answer sheet/computer, find the number of the question and fill/click in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
Sample Question
John Le Carre ............ for his novels concerning espionage.
(A) famous
(B) has fame
(C) is famous
(D) famed for
Written Expression
Directions: In questions 16-40 each sentence has four underlined words or phrases. The four underlined parts of the sentence are marked A, B, C, and D. Identify the one underlined word or phrase that must be changed in order for the sentence to be correct. Then, on your answer sheet/computer, find the number of the question and fill/click in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
Sample Question
THIS IS THE END OF SECTION 2 OF THE TOEFL TEST.The balloonists who remained aloft in the air A B C radioed the control center D
SECTION 3
READING COMPREHENSION
Time - 55 minutes
(including the reading of the direction)
Directions: In the Reading Comprehension section, you will read several passages. Each one is followed by a number of questions about it. For questions 1-50, you are to choose the one best answer. (A), (B), (C), or (D) to each question. Then, on your answer sheet/computer, find the number of the question and fill/click in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
Answer all questions about the information in a passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that passage.
Read the following passage :
The Henry Ford Museum was founded in 1929 in Dearborn, Michigan, about 12 miles west of downtown Detroit. This museum has redesigned its display of old cars to show the changes brought about by the automobile. One exhibit which shows the evolution of roadside services contrasts a 1940s diner with a 1960s fast-food restaurant. The "Getting Away From It All" exhibit presents an assortment of recreational vehicles dating from Packard's 1916 camp truck to today's mobile home. Changes in roadside objects such as billboards can be seen along the museum's roadway, where 108 cars are lined up as if traveling. For the car enthusiast, this museum should not be overlooked.
Sample Question 1
What is the passage mainly about ?
(A) The evolution of roadside services
(B) Henry Ford's recreational vehicles
(C) The exhibits at the Henry Ford Museum
(D) A special exhibition for car enthusiasts
Sample Question 2
The word "evolution" in line 3 is closest in meaning to
(A) change
(B) progress
(C) expansion
(D) improvement
THIS IS THE END OF SECTION 3 OF THE TOEFL TEST
SECTION 4
TEST OF WRITTEN ENGLISH*
Time - 30 minutes
(including the reading of the direction)
Directions: Topics in the following list may appear in your actual test. You should become familiar with this before you take the TOEFL test. Remember that when you take the test you will not have a choice of topics. You must write only on the topic that is assigned to you.
Sample Writing Topics - People attend college or university for many different
reasons (for example, new experiences, career
preparation, increased knowledge). Why do you think
people attend college or university? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answers.
- If you could change one important thing about your
hometown, what would you change? Use reasons and
specific examples to support your answer.
- Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your
opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbors?
Use specific details and examples in your answer.
- We all work or will work in our jobs with many
different kinds of people. In your opinion, what are
some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone
you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific
examples to explain why these characteristics are
important.
- Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Universities should give the same amount of money to their students' sports activities as they give to their university libraries. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
good stuff, thanks a lot.
ReplyDelete