Who Creates the TOEFL iBT Test?
The TOEFL iBT test is developed and administered by ETS, the world’s largest
private educational testing and measurement organization. Our mission is to
advance quality and equity in education. Providing fair, valid, and reliable
assessments is central to why we exist.
Who Is Required to Take the TOEFL iBT Test?
Most colleges and universities where English is the language of instruction
require an English proficiency test. The TOEFL iBT test is the most widely
accepted English-language test worldwide, so it’s a great choice to meet
those requirements. Be sure to check with each institution where you are
applying to confirm what scores they accept.
How Is the TOEFL iBT Test Used in the Admissions Process?
Your test scores will be considered together with other information you
supply to the institution to determine if you have the appropriate academic
and language background to be admitted to a regular or modified program of
study. Often, your field of study and if you are applying as a graduate or
undergraduate student will determine what TOEFL iBT scores you need.
Is There a Minimum Acceptable Score?
Each institution that uses TOEFL iBT scores sets its own minimum level of
acceptable performance. These minimums vary from one institution to
another, depending on factors such as the applicant’s field of study, the level
of study (undergraduate or graduate), whether the applicant will be a
teaching assistant, and whether the institution offers English as a Second
Language support for its students.
How to Use This Book
This book and its digital resources give you instruction, practice, and advice
on strategies for performing well on the TOEFL iBT test.
b Chapter 1 provides an overview of the test, information about test scores,
and an introduction to the on-screen appearance of the different parts of the
TOEFL iBT test, along with general test-taking suggestions.
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3
About the TOEFL iBT ® Test
b Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5 provide in-depth discussions of the kinds of
questions that appear in each section of the test. Each chapter also includes
practice questions and explanations of correct answers so that you will
understand the language skills that are being tested in each section.
b Chapters 6–9 provide four full-length TOEFL iBT tests that will give you
an idea of how you might perform on the actual test.
b Chapter 10 is the Writer’s Handbook for English Language Learners, a
guide
to help you write essays in English. It covers grammar, usage, mechanics,
style, and organization and development. In addition, it contains a discussion
of different types of essays, tips on how to improve your writing by revising,
editing, and proofreading, and a glossary.
b The digital download supplied with this book provides on-screen versions
of the full-length tests from Chapters 6–9. It also includes numbered audio
tracks for all of the listening materials that accompany the practice
questions in this book. For more information about how to use the digital
resources, see the instruction page in the front of the book.
You can use this book to familiarize yourself with the format and content of
the test, and to understand the language skills you will need to succeed on
it. For additional practice tests and other materials, visit
ets.org/toefl/shoptestprep.
Practice tests include TOEFL Practice Online, which offers an on-screen
appearance and experience similar to the actual test, so you can become
familiar with the way the test is delivered and what it is like to answer the
questions under timed conditions. You also will receive performance
feedback and scores for all four skills within 24 hours.
Use the practice tests in this book and from TOEFL Practice Online to
determine which of your skills are the weakest. Then follow the advice in
each skill chapter to improve those skills. You should use other materials to
supplement the practice test questions in this book.
Because the TOEFL iBT test is designed to assess the actual skills you will
need to be successful in your studies, the very best way to develop the skills
being measured is to study in an English program that focuses on:
communication using all four skills, especially speakingintegrated
b
skills (for example, listening/reading/speaking, listening/reading/
b
writing)
However, even students who are not enrolled in an English program should
practice the underlying skills that are assessed on the TOEFL iBT test. In
other words, the best way to improve performance on the test is to improve
your skills. Each chapter of this book gives you explicit advice on how to
connect your learning activities to the kinds of questions you will be asked on
the test. Perhaps you want to improve your score on the Reading section.
The best way to improve your English reading skills is to read frequently and
to read many different types of texts in various subject areas (sciences,
social sciences, arts, business, and others). It is best to progress to reading
texts that are more academic in style, the kind that would be found in
university courses.
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About the TOEFL iBT ® Test
In addition, you might try these activities:
Scan the passages to find and highlight key facts (dates,
numbers, terms) and information.Increase vocabulary knowledge,
perhaps by using flash cards.Rather than carefully reading each
word and each sentence, practice skimming a passage quickly to
b
get a general impression of the main idea.Choose some unfamiliar
words in the passage and guess the meanings from the context
(surrounding sentences).Practice making inferences and drawing
conclusions based on what is implied in the passage as a whole.
b
b
All About the TOEFL iBT Test
The TOEFL iBT test consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking,
and Writing. The estimated time to complete the test is under two hours, and
all sections are taken on the same day.
Key Features
b The TOEFL iBT test measures all four language skills that are
important for
effective communication: reading, listening, speaking, and writing,
emphasizing the test taker’s ability to use English effectively in academic
settings. b It reflects how language is really used with integrated tasks
that combine more than one skill, just as in real academic settings. The
integrated questions ask test takers to:
t read, listen, and then speak in response to a question t listen and then
speak in response to a question t read, listen, and then write in response to a
question
b It represents the best practices in language learning and teaching.
In the past, English instruction focused on learning about the language
(especially grammar), and students could receive high scores on tests
without being able to communicate in English. Now teachers and learners
understand the importance of using English to communicate, and activities
that integrate language skills are popular in many English language
programs.
Format
The TOEFL iBT test is administered securely and conveniently
b
around the world at test centers and at home.
