Changes have recently been introduced in the format of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), which enables students to pursue higher studies abroad. Here is a glance at the new pattern of the test.
TOEFL evaluates the English language proficiency of students and the scores will not only lead to admissions in higher education courses but also employment and emigration. The Internet-based test is referred to as TOEFL-iBT. TOEFL scores are accepted by around 12,000 institutions in 160 countries. Website: www.ets.org/toefl
The US gives preference to TOEFL scores, even though other tests also evaluate English proficiency. TOEFL scores also help students gain admissions to universities in the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Major changes
The main change implemented in TOEFL from July 26 this year is reducing the duration of the test from three hours to one hour and 56 minutes. In other words, the time has been reduced to 63 percent of the old format. The pattern also has witnessed several modifications. There are four sections for the test- Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.
Reading
Students will be tested for their ability to understand academic matters by reading. They will be provided two passages of 700 words each from university-level textbooks and 10 questions will be asked from each passage.
Listening
An academic lecture or speech will be played and students have to learn from it. They also have to correlate the main points in the lecture. During TOEFL, candidates have to listen to three lectures, followed by a discussion lasting three to five minutes. There will be six questions based on each lecture. Candidates also have to listen to two speeches lasting three minutes each. Five questions will be asked from each speech.
Speaking
This section, having four tasks, will analyze the skills of students in speaking effectively in an academic situation. During TOEFL, a classroom-like environment will be created and the first task for the student is to speak by presenting their own ideas on a familiar topic.
The tasks from two to four evaluate the ability of students to speak in English in a classroom. They will be allotted 15-30 seconds to ponder over the answer to a question and 45-60 seconds to answer. The voice of the students answering the questions will be recorded and sent to the examiners. The total duration of this round is 16 minutes.
Writing
For the first task, candidates have to either read a passage or listen to a lecture and prepare their notes by writing in 20 minutes. The second task involves creating a matter for an academic discussion within 10 minutes. Subsequently, the students have to present this matter during the discussion and establish their view. They also have to type in this matter with a computer keyboard. Total time allotted for this round is 29 minutes.
Things to note
All details of the test are explained in the website. There is facility also for practice tests on the website. However, learning from personal teachers would be much beneficial. Candidates can attempt TOEFL in Kerala also. Tests are conducted nearly 50 times every year and students can register by checking the dates and centres.
The score report will be sent to four institutions. A fee of US Dollars 20 is charged for sending the report to each additional institution. The score will be valid for two years from the date of the test.
TOEFL pattern
• Reading – 30 minutes – 20 questions – Read a passage and answer.
• Listening – 36 minutes – 28 questions – Answer questions after hearing a classroom lecture / discussion.
• Speaking – 16 minutes – Four tasks – Speaking on a familiar topic; Discussion on a read/heard subject.
• Writing – 29 minutes – Two tasks – In the first task, students have to read a passage and listen to a recorded sound. They will then have to write about it. The second task involves taking part in an online discussion and establishing their point of view.