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FAQs - TOEFL
This is a very basic Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page which attempts to answer some of the more commonly asked questions. Just click a question to read the answer.
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 What is the test like?
The test includes four sections, plus computer tutorials and a break. It takes between 3.5 and 4 four hours to complete everything.
| Section | Time Limit | No. of Questions | | Tutorials | 30 minutes | — | | Listening | 40-60 minutes | 30-50 | | Structure | 15-20 minutes | 20-25 | | Break | 5 minutes | — | | Reading | 70-90 minutes | 44-55 | | Writing | 30 minutes | 1 topic | Source: www.toefl.org
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What am I tested on in each section?
Listening measures the ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America.
Structure measures the ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard written English.
Reading measures the ability to understand short passages similar in topic and style to academic texts used in colleges and universities.
Writing measures the ability to write in English on an assigned topic.
Source: www.toefl.org
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What do I need to know for the TOEFL?
The TOEFL is getting harder and harder all the time. You will need to have a good understanding of English. You will need to be able to listen, read, and write for the TOEFL. Right now, the TOEFL does not require you to speak, although the new format of the TOEFL will require you to speak.
Most of the English on the Reading Comprehension section of the TOEFL represents the kind of English that you will hear if you go to college in the U.S., so you should study academic English. For example, if you are studying for the TOEFL, you should read Newsweek or Time instead of reading comic books! Similarly, watching documentaries about wildlife or space is much more helpful than seeing Hollywood action movies.
Source: www.testmagic.com/toefl/faq
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Are all the questions multiple choice?
Most of the questions are multiple choice. However, several new types of questions may require
selecting a visual or part of a visual
answering questions with more than one response.
Source: www.toefl.org
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What test dates are available?
Appointments are available throughout the year, but you must call at least three days before your first-choice appointment date. Centers fill quickly—schedule your appointment early. The busiest months are October, November, December, April, and May.
You can only test once per calendar month, even if you took the test and canceled your scores.
Source: www.toefl.org
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How much does the test cost?
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How do I cancel or reschedule an appointment?
You must reschedule or cancel your test appointment no later than 3 full days before your appointment (not including the day of your test or the day of your request) or your test fee will be forfeited. For example, the deadline to reschedule a Monday test is the previous Thursday.
For test centers in the United States, Canada, or U.S. territories
go to www.2test.com
call 1-800-468-6335 or 1-443-751-4862
For test centers outside the U.S., Canada, or U.S. territories
go to www.2test.com
Call your Regional Registration Center (RRC). The RRC must receive payment before rescheduling your appointment. Appointments cannot be rescheduled after one year of the original appointment date.
If you cancel a CBT appointment with Prometric Testing Service or an RRC and you do not wish to register for another date, you may apply for a partial refund.
If you do not cancel or reschedule, your full test fee will be forfeited. You will be charged U.S. $40 if you reschedule.
Source: www.toefl.org
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What identification do I need to bring to the test center?
You must present acceptable and valid identification with a signature and photograph. In most cases, this is a current valid passport.
Source: www.toefl.org
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I have a disability. How will I be accommodated?
The TOEFL program serves test takers with disabilities by providing services and reasonable accommodations deemed appropriate given the purpose of the test.
Nonstandard testing accommodations are available for test takers who meet ETS eligibility criteria.
Source: www.toefl.org
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What is the score scale for the computer-based test?
Section
| Score Scale
| | Listening | 0-30 | Structure/Writing
| 0-30 | Reading
| 0-30 | Total
| 0-300 | | Essay (on a separate scale) | 0-6 |
Source: www.toefl.org
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How is the essay rated? How is it combined with the Structure score?
Each essay is rated by two independent raters. Your essay rating counts for approximately half of the Structure/Writing scaled score.
Source: www.toefl.org
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When will I get my score reports, and how many do I get for free?
If you compose your response to the essay on the computer, your score report will be mailed about two weeks after you complete the test.
If you handwrite your response, your scores will be mailed about five weeks after the test.
Note: Under no circumstances can score reports be mailed any earlier. Allow 7-10 days for deliveries within the continental U.S. and additional time for deliveries to other areas.
The test fee entitles you to one printed examinee's score record and up to four official score reports sent from ETS to the institutions of your choice. It is very important to know the name and location of each institution so you can choose them accurately.
Source: www.toefl.org
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How long will my score be valid?
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Will I see my scores on screen at the end of the test? What if I want to cancel my scores?
You can view your unofficial score at the test center after you complete your test. Your essay will not yet have been read and scored, so you will only see a possible score range for the Structure/Writing total score.
You can cancel your score at the test center after you take the test, or you can receive a score without sending them to an institution.
Source: www.toefl.org
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Is scratch paper provided during the test?
For the essay - The test center administrator provides scratch paper following the break so you can organize your essay. If you decide to handwrite your essay, the test center will provide writing materials. You must return all scratch paper to the test center administrator at the end of the test.
For Listening and Structure - Scratch paper and note-taking are not permitted during the Listening and Structure sections.
Source: www.toefl.org
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Will I be able to control the volume during the Listening section?
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If I am running out of time, should I guess or leave some answers blank?
Make every effort to complete each section. Data indicate that most candidates get higher scores if they finish the test.
There is a chance that random guessing at the end of a section can seriously lower scores. The best strategy is to pace oneself so you have enough time to consider each question without guessing.
Source: www.toefl.org
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What is it like at the test center?
You will take the test in individual testing stations similar to partitioned study areas that might be found in a library. Each station has a computer, headphone set for listening to the audio material, and desk space for writing.
Source: www.toefl.org
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What is a good score on the TOEFL?
The highest score on the paper TOEFL is 677. The highest score on the computer TOEFL is 300. Most people now still use the paper TOEFL scores, even though most students take the computer TOEFL.
The score that you need depends on the institution where you will be using the English proficiency score. For the CGFNS certification program, you will need a score of 207 (540).
Source: www.testmagic.com/toefl/faq
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How can I raise my score on the TOEFL?
Some people can raise their scores by speaking and watching television and American movies, other people can raise their scores by studying the TOEFL. The answer really depends on the student.
Source: www.testmagic.com/toefl/faq
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How long will it take me to raise my score on the TOEFL?
This is usually the first question that people ask. It is extremely difficult to say--each person is different. Some people learn languages very quickly, others need more time. Learning a new language is very similar to learning any other skill, like ballet dancing or painting--some people learn very quickly because they have a natural ability in that area, others need more time.
However, in general, most people need from two to six hours of study for each point they are able to raise their TOEFL scores.
Source: www.testmagic.com/toefl/faq
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How long will it take for me to get my TOEFL score?
If you type the essay, TOEFL will mail the score about two weeks after the test. If you handwrite the essay, they will take longer. Sometimes, TOEFL takes up to five weeks to mail the scores since it is easier to lose a handwritten essay. Sometimes they "misplace" a handwritten essay and it takes them longer to find it. However, TOEFL has recently started converting all handwritten TOEFL essays to digital images, resulting in few if any lost TOEFL essays.
Source: www.testmagic.com/toefl/faq
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What's the difference between the computer TOEFL and the paper TOEFL?
There are many differences between the CBT TOEFL and the paper TOEFL. The biggest difference between the CBT TOEFL and the paper TOEFL is that the CBT TOEFL requires an essay. Also, the CBT TOEFL has some new question types that we have not seen before on the paper TOEFL.
Source: www.testmagic.com/toefl/faq
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Which TOEFL is easier? The computer TOEFL or the paper TOEFL?
Most people agree: the paper TOEFL is much easier than the CBT TOEFL. For example, the listening on the CBT TOEFL is much harder than the listening on the paper TOEFL and the CBT TOEFL has an essay that you have to write. However, everybody is different, and you may find the CBT TOEFL easier.
Source: www.testmagic.com/toefl/faq
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Why do I have to take the TWE or write an essay?
The TWE (Test of Written English) is the essay component of the TOEFL. Writing an essay gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your skill at performing academic writing tasks similar to those required of students in North American universities. This includes the ability to generate and organize ideas on paper, to support those ideas with examples or evidence, and to compose a response in standard written English to an essay question.
NOTE: Some institutions use the TWE score in addition to TOEFL scores to help evaluate the English proficiency of applicants.
Source: www.englishtelecampus.com/twe_faqs
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When do I have to take the TWE Test?
You MUST write an English essay or take the Test of Written English (TWE) when you take the TOEFL test.
You cannot register to take the TWE test only. Both TOEFL and TWE must be taken on the SAME day.
Source: www.englishtelecampus.com/twe_faqs
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What topic do I write on for the essay test?
You will NOT be given a choice on what to write on; the topic will already be written in the test book. Topics are designed to be fair and appropriate for international students and require no specialized knowledge of any given subject matter.
There are six different TYPES of essay topics that you could be given on the TOEFL or TWE. Each type has to be answered differently, so you should practice answering all of them.
Source: www.englishtelecampus.com/twe_faqs
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How long do I have to write the essay?
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How is the essay scored?
To ensure that all essays are scored in a fair way, each one is read and evaluated by at least two qualified raters who assign scores based on a six-point scale. The TOEFL essay score is part of the Structure and Written Expression section of the test and can determine up to 50% of your score on that section.
The TWE score you receive is not incorporated into the total TOEFL score. Instead, a separate TWE score is reported on the TOEFL score report. Some institutions use the TWE score in addition to TOEFL scores to help evaluate the English proficiency of applicants.
Source: www.englishtelecampus.com/twe_faqs
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What is the cost for the Essay or the TWE?
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