Test of English as a Foreign Language.
(Click here for the TOEFL Web Site)
A single subject examination recognised in the USA and Canada, as well as other countries where English is the language of instruction, as an indication of English proficiency for placement of students in colleges and universities. The most well known English Language examination in the world. It is intended for (US) grade 11 students and above.
The TOEFL examination can only be taken at centres established by the examination board, which are in approximately 170 countries throughout the world. It is administered regularly throughout the world.
The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Hertfordshire is 0493. Students should be asked to enter this code on their answer sheets when they sit the examination. This will ensure that the score is sent directly to UH from Educational Testing Service.
At the moment there are three versions of the test, depending on which part of the world the test is taken.
1. The traditional Paper-Based TOEFL test (PBT)
2. The Computer-Based TOEFL test. (CBT)
3. The Internet-Based TOEFL test (iBT)
1. The traditional Paper-Based TOEFL test (PBT)
^The examination lasts for approximately three hours. It is divided into three sections: Section 1 - Listening comprehension (40 minutes - 50 items), Section 2 - Structure and written expression (25 minutes - 40 items) and Section 3 - Vocabulary and reading comprehension (45 minutes - 60 items).
TOEFL scores for each section are reported on a scale that can range from 31 to 68. The scores are then scaled to give the total score. TOEFL total scores are reported on a scale that can range from 310 - 677. British Universities usually ask for a score of 550 - 600 for entrance.
A test of written English is now available (TWE) and can be taken at the same time as the main TOEFL. This is recommended. The TWE is a 30 minute essay and tests the examinee's ability to perform academic writing tasks similar to those required of university students. The TWE score is reported separately on a scale of 1 to 6 on the TOEFL score report. A score of 4 is described as demonstrating minimal competence in writing. A score of 4.5 or 5.0 should normally be required. There is also a test of spoken English (TSE).
Students should be asked for at least 580, or 600 (with a TWE score of 5.5) or above for linguistically more demanding courses. 550 may be acceptable for some courses. The TWE should be required if proficiency in writing is important.
NB In certain parts of the world, TOEFL cram courses are available. These courses are successful in improving the student's score by up to 50 points, without necessarily improving their English ability. One solution is to always insist that the student takes TWE.
2. The Computer-Based TOEFL test. (CBT)
^At the beginning of July 1998, The Computer-Based TOEFL test was introduced in certain areas of the world. The Computer-Based TOEFL has four sections: Listening, Structure, Reading and Writing.
The Listening section measures the test taker's ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America, including frequently used vocabulary, expressions and grammar. The Structure section measures the ability to recognise language that is appropriate for standard written English. The Reading section uses passages to measure the ability to understand non-technical reading material, but new tasks that require the test taker to become more closely involved with the text have been developed. The Writing section measures the person's ability to generate, organise and support ideas using standard written English in an essay. The essay rating is combined with the Structure section score to create a compiled Structure/Writing scaled score. The essay rating constitutes one-half of the Structure/Writing scaled score.
The computer-based test is reported on a new score scale. This new score scale has been designed to distinguish scores received on the computer-based TOEFL from those received on the paper-based test. For the computer-based test, the examinee receives four scaled scores: Listening (0 to 30), Structure/Writing (0 to 30), Reading (0 to 30), and a total score (000 to 300). The three section scores and a total score are reported on the score report. The essay rating is integrated in the Structure/Writing score; in addition, the score on the essay is reported as an independent rating on the report.
Students should be asked for at least 233, or 250 or above for linguistically more demanding courses. 213 may be acceptable for some courses. The score on the essay is reported as an independent rating on a scale of 1 to 6, where a score of 4 is described as demonstrating minimal competence in writing. A score of 4.5 or 5.0 should normally be required or 5.5 if proficiency in writing is important.
3. The Internet-Based TOEFL test (iBT)
In September 2005, the TOEFL test changed in significant ways. The Internet-Based TOEFL test measures all four skills of communication: reading, writing, listening, and for the first time, speaking. It also uses questions that ask students to combine their skills to show how well they can use English to communicate. As a result of these changes, TOEFL has established a new scoring scale for the test. Score reports will contain five different scores: one total score on a scale of 0-120, and four skill scores, each on a scale of 0-30.
Scores from the new TOEFL test provide information about performance in the four skill areas students need for success in an academic environment.
| Listening | 0-30 |
| Reading | 0-30 |
| Speaking | 0-30 |
| Writing | 0-30 |
| Total Score | 0-120 |
Score reports provide better information than ever about an individual's readiness to participate and succeed in academic studies in an English-speaking environment. Score reports will include:
Score users are encouraged to consider the four skill scores, and not only the total score. The four skill scores give institutions the flexibility to customize their score requirements to meet the varied English language demands of different academic disciplines
^Students should be asked for at least 100, or 110 or above for linguistically more demanding courses. 90 may be acceptable for some courses.
Correlation between Paper-Based TOEFL scores, Computer-Based TOEFL Scores and Internet Based TOEFL (iBT):
Paper-based TOEFL
450
477
500
527
550
577
600
Computer-based TOEFL
133
153
173
197
213
233
250
Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) 45 53 61 71 80 91 100
More information is given on the TOEFL Web site. Click here.
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