Taking The TOEFL

Almost all credible schools in the United States require that international students take the TOEFL. According to some sources, over 6,000 institutions rely on TOEFL scores as part of their admissions process.

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test is a way to measure a person’s ability to communicate in English. When coming to study in the United States, It’s important that you can understand, read, speak and write in English as you will experience it in a college or university.

Registering For The TOEFL

A great place to find information on the TOEFL is http://www.ets.org. Once on that page, select TOEFL from the list of tests. This link takes you to the TOEFL page where you’ll find information on studying for and taking the exam.

Check for the exams dates EARLY—as soon as you think you want to study in the U.S. Exams are only offered at certain times, and you may have to wait a long time before you can take the test. Even though you might need time to study before you take the exam, register early.

The test is offered in many countries, at either an approved IBT (Internet Based Test) center or through paper based locations. On the TOEFL page, click on “Register for the Test” and you’ll see a drop down list of countries where the test is offered.

Once you select your country, you can register online, which is the fastest way to register for the exam. You’ll also find specific information about where to take the exam.

You must register with exactly the same name and the same spelling of that name that appears on the primary ID you will present at the test center. Do NOT register under any other name or nickname. The ID requirements vary depending on your citizenship and where you are taking the test, but it must be valid (NOT expired) and contain both a signature and photograph. The ID must also be in ENGLISH or you may not be allowed to enter the test without a secondary form of ID. The ETS website has detailed information about this.

If you cannot meet the specified ID requirements or if you have questions about ID , you must contact the ETS Office of Testing Integrity (1-609-406-430, fax: 1-609-406-9709, or e-mail: TSReturns@ets.org) before you register. If you do not contact the Office of Testing Integrity before registering and are not admitted to the test, you will forfeit your test fee.

Make sure to keep track of your registration information. Plan to arrive early so that you have time to get to your station and relax.

Studying For The TOEFL


As with any test, it’s important to study for the TOEFL. ETS offers study materials and even past tests that you can use to study. From the TOEFL page, you can select “About the Test.” Some materials are free and others are available to purchase. Since your score on this test is important, make sure that you take time and study.

The ETS website also offers you an online community. On those message boards, you can share information and practice for your test. Take advantage of the free membership on the ETS website.

The ETS website has many resources you may find helpful to familiarize yourself with the test. Take an online tour with sample test questions from each of the four sections.

You can also join TOEFL Practice Online. TOEFL Practice Online offers exclusive ETS test materials and is the only Web site that

• provides the real TOEFL iBT testing experience by covering all four skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking
• offers a variety of targeted practice so you can monitor your progress and helps confirm readiness for test day
• helps predict performance with INSTANT scores and feedback for Reading, Listening, and Writing; and scoring by ES certified raters for Speaking

Membership to TOEFL Practice Online also gets you access to:

• Practice questions
• TOEFL®  access, an online student community that provides information on studying in English-speaking countries
• Discussion boards and study tips

Purchase other practice materials through TOEFL Practice Online.

Because you only have so much time to answer the questions in each area, you should practice timing yourself as you study.

The IBT includes four sections and takes about four hours to complete.

Taking The Exam

Plan to arrive early so that you are not stressed when you begin the exam. You want to be as calm as possible for the test.

Take valid and acceptable ID information. Read the information about your ID carefully, or you may not be allowed to enter the test and will lose your registration money.

If you feel anxious during the exam, it is good to stop and close your eyes and take a deep breath. Taking deep breaths can help you think clearer.

TOEFL Tips

Here are some good test-taking strategies recommended by ETS.

• Carefully follow the directions in each section to avoid wasting time.
• Click Help to review the directions only when absolutely necessary because the test clock will not stop when the Help function is being used.
• Do NOT panic. Concentrate on the current question only, and do not think about how you answered other questions. This is a habit that can be learned through practice.
• Avoid spending too much time on one question. If you have given the question some thought and you still don’t know the answer, eliminate as many answer choices as possible and then select the best choice. You can review your responses in the Reading section by clicking View. However, it is best to do this only after all the questions have been answered so you can stay focused and save time.
• Pace yourself so you have enough time to answer every question. Be aware of the time limit for each section and task, and budget enough time for each question/task so you don’t have to rush at the end. You can hide the clock if you wish, but it is a good idea to check the clock periodically to monitor progress. The clock will automatically alert you when five minutes remain in the Listening and Reading sections, as well as the independent and integrated tasks in the Writing Section.