The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam is a standardised English language proficiency exam that measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand English as it is spoken, written, and heard in academic settings. The exam is accepted by over 11,000 institutions in more than 150 countries worldwide.
The TOEFL exam is divided into four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The Reading and Listening section comprises multiple-choice questions, while the Speaking and Writing sections are scored by trained examiners.
In the Listening section,
You will listen to lectures, classroom discussions, and conversations between speakers. You will answer 28 to 39 questions based on what you hear.
In the Reading section,
You will answer 30 to 40 questions based on three or four academic texts. The texts are taken from university-level textbooks and cover a range of topics, such as social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities.
In the Writing section,
You will write two essays. The first essay is an integrated task that requires you to read a passage, listen to a lecture, and then write a response. The second essay is an independent task that requires you to express your own opinion on a given topic.
In the Speaking section,
You will respond to six tasks, including independent and integrated speaking tasks. In the independent speaking task, you will speak on a topic for 45 seconds. In the integrated speaking tasks, you will respond to questions based on what you have read and heard.
The TOEFL exam is scored on a scale of 0 to 120, with 120 being the highest possible score. Your score is based on your performance in each section of the exam, and the scores are averaged together to give you an overall score.
Like the IELTS exam, different institutions have different requirements when it comes to TOEFL scores. Some institutions may require a higher score than others, so it's important to check with the institution you are applying to in order to determine what score you need to achieve.
Preparing for the TOEFL exam can take time, but there are many resources available to help you. There are books, online courses, and practice tests that you can use to improve your skills and get familiar with the exam format. Additionally, taking classes with a qualified English language teacher can be a great way to improve your skills and get feedback on your progress.