Source – onmanorama.com
Post-high school, it is a good option to go out of the country for higher studies. Stepping out of your comfort zone is what brings a change in you. Getting exposure and meeting a diverse crowd gives a whole new perspective on things.
There are some great universities across the globe, and they offer varied courses for students. But how do you apply for these universities?
There is a test that measures a certain ability of students based on which they will be eligible to apply for universities abroad – TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
In this article, you will learn more about the test, its components, and the tips to prepare for that test.
What is TOEFL?
The TOEFL, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a standardized academic English test. This test is taken by students who are planning to apply to universities in the United States. This test is also accepted by universities outside the United States. It was first introduced in the year 1964, and through the years, it has transitioned into an online-based test known as TOEFL IBT (Internet-Based Test).
The Test Sections
The duration of the test is 3 hours, and it consists of four sections- reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
Reading:
There is a time limit to this test. In the reading section, a student is asked to read a few sentences or a passage and is asked to write answers. Usually, a 700-word passage is given. The questions
are to test your vocabulary and reading skills.
Listening
The listening section is a bit dicey because once you choose an answer and move forward, you cannot go back and change it. So, you should be cautious while attempting this section. This section tests your skill of listening to the English language. It consists of lectures and conversations, and you are expected to answer 5-6 questions each.
Speaking
The speaking section tests the ability to speak fluently in the English language. The questions will be in the form of audio or given by an examiner. You will be asked to answer the questions by speaking into the microphone. You will be given a particular topic and asked to speak about it for 60 seconds.
Writing
The TOEFL writing test is to assess your writing skills. The test is 50 minutes long, and you will be given two questions. The first is to listen to an audio and write a 300-word essay or an article based on that. The second question is a level-up, as there will be no external sources available for you to refer to. You have to develop your own idea and write the essay.
| SECTIONS | No. Questions | DURATION |
| Reading | 30-40 | 52-74 minutes |
| Listening | 28-38 | 41-57 minutes |
| Speaking | 4 | 17 minutes |
| Writing | 2 | 50 minutes |
- Total Duration: 3 hours
- Fee Structure: $195
- Locations Accepted: 150 Countries
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) IBT exam, a student must have finished 10+2 from a recognized university. Apart from this, there are no other requirements to be eligible to appear for this exam.
There are a few exceptions, as for some universities, the test scores are not required. This is only for certain applicants.
The Exceptions are:
- Non-native speakers who completed a 2-year course in English.
- Non-native who have taken the test within the past 2 years.
- Non-native speakers who hold degrees from English-speaking countries like the United States, England, and Australia.
Scoring
The overall score of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) ranges from 0-120. The scores for the four sections- reading, listening, speaking, and writing range from 0-30.
The higher your score is, the more fluent you are in the English language. There is nothing like passing and failing scores on this test, and the cut-off varies for different universities.
How To Prepare for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Test?
No matter how proficient you are in the English language, the format of this test will be challenging to attempt. Due to its lengthy questions, students will find it difficult to manage their time. To avoid all these hurdles, it is important that you give an ample amount of time for preparation.
Start your preparation by creating a study plan. Use the time wisely by allocating it to the four sections. Understand your strengths and weaknesses, and based on that, practice and improve your skills.
Buy books related to the TOEFL exam. There are some good books on grammar and vocabulary. These books consist of various exercises that will help you improve your vocabulary skills.
Practice speaking and writing every day. Listen to the audio on different topics and speak about it by giving your point of view. Similarly, read and write essays on your preferred topics. Keep the word limit up to 600-800 words. This helps you to improve your writing pace, and you will be able to write a 300-word essay more swiftly.
Look up institutes that assist in preparation.
Conclusion
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam is crucial for students planning to apply to international universities. To crack it is very challenging, so you must dedicate time to prepare. Know your abilities and try to overcome your weaknesses by practicing every day. Focus on improving your score as it influences the choice of universities. While doing it systematically, you will be able to crack the exam and be able to prepare for the exciting journey ahead.
