What is TOEFL? All about TOEFL

TOEFL

Training of English foreign language, we all have different queries; we all possess some question in our mind that what is TOEFL all about. Well friends, I have something to tell you, which I think would clear all your doubts.

First of all, let us get familiar with the word TOEFL. Basically, it's an English test for English native speakers, just to check their command over your language and to diagnose their thinking level. The test also has an Internet-based version (iBT), which is conducted by the Educational Testing System (ETS). Moreover, they have their official website as www.ets.org.com. On this official site, we can take the suitable date for test.

Why people have to take TOEFL?

This is one of the most often sought questions been asked by the students. As we all know, people who all plan to go to abroad for studying in good universities that rank among the top world ranking, ask for this test as mandatory for people who like to take admission in their university or college for post-graduation or other higher programmes. So, the ETS has conducted this test to fulfil the requirements. In addition, whatever the score we get out of the total, that can directly be sent to the university for further admission process and the result is declared after ten to twelve days from the date of the test.

Now, let us talk about the diversification of the test. There are four sections that calibrate equal numbers. Each section consists of thirty marks. So, the total number of marks for four sections are 120. The test lasts for about four to five hours. After each section, there is a one-minute break and after completing two sections there is a ten-minute break to relax and after that the test continues with further instructions given by the examiner.

Furthermore, no section is related to the other. So, there is no need to get confused. Therefore, one can focus on the test with each individual section.

There are four sections starting in order with Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. Remember! there is no negative marking for any wrong answer.

As mentioned above each section is of equal marks that is thirty, the reading section contains comprehensions questions taken from newspapers, magazines and they could be even taken from academic books also related to science, history, etc. For answering these sets of questions, students get 60 minutes to read all the passage and answer the questions about the passages and in order to do well in this section, they even have to study ample of material in order to score good in reading section.

Then, we have the Listening section. This part will check your ability to understand the conversation and lectures in English. But keep in mind that you will hear the lecture only once. After each lecture, you have to answer the questions about it regarding the main idea and supporting details. In this section, the candidates can even jot down some key points if they want to. To answer the questions, you will get only 20 minutes.

After a 10-minute break, we have the Speaking section, which actually assesses your ability to communicate or how you can represent the information given orally. In this module, there are six sections in which two are independent tasks which are related to familiar topic like hobbies, personal preferences or choice task. You get 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to speak, the voice is recorded when the time starts on the computer screen after a beep.

Similarly, we have integrated task in this section, in which the different task are given and for that we have 45 seconds to read a short passage and after that we get 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to answer the questions. In this task, the candidate is asked to summarize the speaker’s opinion about the issue.

Lastly, we have Writing section that checks the writing skills of the student. This part consists of two sections. First one is the integrated task. It is the task which has a combination of academic reading passage and listening. For this, we will first have readings part and are be given two minutes note-making and write down the important information then, we will hear the recording related to the passage and we have to summarize the information and make a passage of 150 to 225 words in 20 minutes.

On the other hand, after the integrated task, we have independent task in which we have to support the point of view on a particular topic, and for this, the students are given 30 minutes to answer the question and the word limit is at least 300 words.

This is how all the sections are answered and to get good marks, one needs to do good homework that is have to study and do hard work.

Rajat Bhanot

In my view, I think those who do regularly read newspapers, books, good magazines and practice speaking in English logically, will hardly face any problem in all the four sections of TOEFL.

In my personal experience, I would say if you want to fulfil your dreams and want to take admission in some world's top university, better start working now and achieve your target.

References- you can even order them online.

Here are some books which have good sample questions and will actually help you to improve your score.

Books- Cambridge preparation for the TOEFL (by Robert Gear)

-           Kaplan for TOEFL.

These books really helped many students achieve their targets. So, start your drills from now onward.