Want to move abroad for your studies and confused about which language test to take? If you are struggling with any of those areas, don’t panic; here is what you need to know. The most popular test that is used to measure the English proficiency of international students is known as the TOEFL exam.
But what, in general, is characterised by the TOEFL exam? So, in this blog post, we will cover the complete breakdown of the TOEFL exam, what it stands for, the requirements one needs to meet to take this test, or the examination structure to guide individuals on whether or not to sit for it.
What is the TOEFL Exam?
The TOEFL exam is called the Test of English as a Foreign Language and is taken by non-native speakers to gauge their English fluency. It is mostly administered by universities and colleges to assess a student’s learning readiness and skills in a learning setting. Before applying for undergraduate, graduate or doctoral programs, the TOEFL exam can be used to prove English proficiency.
One needs to understand the TOEFL exam and how it sets itself apart from other tests such as IELTS. Although both TOEFL and IELTS are English proficiency tests, TOEFL is more inclined towards the USA English and more universities, especially in the USA & Canada, prefer TOEFL. This makes it a favourite exam amongst students who wish to attend universities in foreign countries.
Full Form of TOEFL Exam
It is high time to avoid the full form of the TOEFL exam that might have been confusing people. That is the full form of the TOEFL, known as the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Given and administered by the ETS (Educational Testing Service), the exam assesses a candidate’s particular skills in using English for reading, listening, speaking and writing in an academic context. These thorough checks make a special impression and determine the readiness of the student to perform tasks related to learning and other educational activities in English-speaking countries.
By familiarising yourself with the full form of the TOEFL exam, you will differentiate between TOEFL and other exams to study abroad, if any, to enable you to make the right test choice.
TOEFL Exam Eligibility Criteria
It is essential to mention that the TOEFL test has no cut-off mark, as it adjusts its level according to the examinee's abilities so that anyone can attempt the TOEFL exam without worrying about passing marks. However, there are certain eligibility criteria for TOEFL exam are as follows:
However, it is always best to consult the university or the program of your choice for specific TOEFL requirements. Universities, colleges and other institutions may set quantifiable measures, especially a minimum score that you have to achieve to have a chance at being admitted.
Exam Pattern for the TOEFL Exam
Students need to be aware of the exam pattern regarding TOEFL testing to benefit TOEFL exam performance. The test has been split into four major parts to assess various aspects of language ability. Below is the table summarising the exam pattern:
The total time to complete the test is approximately 3 hours, and each of the four sections will be scaled. In total, the score may vary from 0 to 120. The TOEFL exam pattern tests a student’s ability to compete for academic places in a foreign country where English is not spoken fluently. This is one of the reasons why TOEFL is different from other tests to study abroad, like IELTS, where there is a touch of various scoring systems and evaluations.
Conclusion
In summary, TOEFL is known as the Test of English as a Foreign Language, which is an internet-based test that measures your English proficiency in an academic arena. Dedicated to American English and containing all aspects of the test, TOEFL is useful solely for students who want to continue their education abroad, presumably in the United States or Canada.
When using both TOEFL and IELTS, it is important to consider the goals of taking the exams and the institutions one wants to attend. Therefore, remember that the essential thing while preparing for the TOEFL exam is knowing the exam pattern well.
