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:
b communication using all four skills, especially speakingintegrated skills (for
b example, listening/reading/speaking, listening/reading/ 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
b skimming a passage quickly to 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 around the
b
world at test centers and at home.
