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TOEFL

Posted on March 13th, 2012 by Jenny Frankel

Many U.S. colleges and universities require their applicants, whether international or not, to take one or more standardized tests, including one in particular called the TOEFL.

For example, an international student interested in studying in Arizona would most likely need to take the TOEFL to apply to a college or university. which stands for test of English as a foreign language, evaluates the ability of an individual to use and understand English in an academic setting. Nearly one million individuals of all ages take the Interned-based test (iBT) or the Paper-based Test (PBT) TOEFL test each year. International students can expect to complete portions reading, listening, speaking and writing in English, with a 10-minute break after two portions have been completed. Each examination is about 4.5 hours long and is scored using both an automated system and human raters to ensure that an accurate picture of an applicant’s ability is obtained.

Once the test has been complete, scores are usually posted online within two weeks, and scores can be sent out to universities and institutions where the applicant is applying upon the student’s request. Once the test has been taken, a TOEFL score is valid for two years. After two years, the score is considered invalid, since a candidate’s language proficiency could have changed since the date of the test.

International students taking the TOEFL should prepare in advance before they sit down at a computer or travel to a test center to take the test. A number of preparation materials are also available that can help individuals prepare for the test in advance, including books, guides and online practice tests. However, if an undesirable score is obtained, students may retake the TOEFL as many times as they wish.

Written by Jenny Frankel

Jennifer is the Director of Financial Services at Envisage International. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Florida where she holds a Masters in International Business and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. She has lived and worked abroad in Chile, Costa Rica and London, and traveled extensively in South America, Europe and Asia.

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11 Responses to “TOEFL”

  1. Standfast Abrakasa Says:

    In some countries in Africa like Nigeria, English Language is used as the language of instruction in schools. Why are Nigerians still sitting for TOELF?

  2. shreya upadhyay Says:

    i want to know studying in usa as a scolar and about fee

  3. Theresa Renagi Says:

    i would like to know how to do the TOEFL test.

  4. Theresa Renagi Says:

    in addition, i want to know better about studying in U.S.A. as a scholar.

  5. Theresa Renagi Says:

    Thanks a lot, could you email me the details of the TOEFL test.

  6. custom writing services Says:

    Before you take the test, you need to be ready enough. Internet has free information on these tests. Take your time, and get fully prepared.

  7. yusupha baldeh Says:

    what should i do to be able to sit to this test

  8. Robert Says:

    We encourage TOEFL test-takers to learn as much about the test as possible and then practice, practice, practice! It is important to understand the procedures for the test, because the test is based on RULES and knowing those rules will help you.

  9. helper99 Says:

    Practice plays an important role for TOEFL Exam. Collect sample test or quiz papers from internet and do practice. Also collect Books for practice. A TOEFL Book is also available on

  10. jon Says:

    About TOEFL iBT

    The TOEFL® Internet-based test emphasizes integrated skills and measures all four language skills, including speaking. Each of the four language skills reported on a scale of 0 to 30. There will also be a total score.

    The content on the test is authentic, and the language is consistent with that used in everyday, real academic settings. The Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL® test) evaluates the proficiency and general understanding of the English Language for people whose first language is not English.

    A Standardized Test, (TOEFL®) assesses the English Proficiency of people, whose native language does not happen to be English. It tests the ability to understand North American English. Institutes in other countries, where the mode and language of instruction is English, also use TOEFL®. Most people take the TOEFL® test as a prerequisite for admission into colleges and universities where English is used or required. In addition, many government, licensing, and certification agencies and exchange and scholarship programs use TOEFL® scores to evaluate the English proficiency of people for whom English is not their native language.

  11. lizzy Says:

    Why are nigerians still sitting for toefl?if u say TOEFL means test of english language,our first language here in nigeria is english language,english language is d only language we use as a mode of communication in schools and even everywhere in nigeria….

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