What is the TOEFL Test?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized test that evaluates students’ English Language skills. It is trademarked by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a non-profit organization that created the TOEFL test, and also distributes and scores the exam. Over 13,000 English-speaking universities in over 200 countries across the globe use the TOEFL to assess the English language skills of international and foreign students who plan to enroll.
The TOEFL measures four major academic English skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The test takes under two hours to complete, and each section lasts 15 – 35 minutes.
The test is designed to evaluate students on practical skills used in the classroom, such as writing and listening. As such, scoring well on the four main sections of the test directly correlates with academic success in an English-speaking classroom.
Why is the TOEFL Test Important?
The TOEFL is required for any student who does not have English as their primary language and is applying to a primarily English-speaking university. This applies to any student regardless of nationality, citizenship, or location.
As a widely recognized test, the TOEFL is accepted by schools and institutions worldwide. Not only is the TOEFL required for many college applications, but it is also a good metric for students to test their English-speaking skills and see which areas they need to improve.
Over 40 million students have taken TOEFL, granting them opportunities in thousands of schools in North America, Europe, and Asia, including the Ivy League schools and other top-ranking United States universities.
When and Where is TOEFL Taken?
TOEFL can be taken in a testing center or remotely through the “At Home” version. To find the dates and testing centers, applicants can use the portal on the EST website to learn about the TOEFL iBT, where to study, and how to schedule their test date and location.
For the standard TOEFL iBT, students can search their zip code and choose a date range to take the test. However, test results can take time to process, so the ETS recommends that students choose a test date that is at least 2 – 3 months ahead of their earliest college admissions deadline. Test scores take about 4 – 16 business dates to arrive to recipients, so schedule early to ensure no deadlines are missed.
Students who wish to take the TOEFL iBT Home Edition need to meet the ETS’s Equipment and Environmental Requirements. If students do not meet these requirements, then they must take the standard version of the test. Otherwise, they will have to take the standard version and schedule a time and location at a test center. The Home Edition is available 24 hours a day, four days a week.
How Much Does it Cost?
Registration fees differ depending on location. To view the price of the TOEFL exam for your country, visit the EST Registration Fee page and search for the testing fee for your area.
The cost of the test is generally about $200 USD. However, the price varies, and some regions may have limited-time discounts available.
Other factors surrounding the test can also add to the total cost. Late registration costs an additional $40, rescheduling a test has a fee of $60, and reinstating a canceled test score costs $20. To incur no further costs, test takers should plan ahead of time and make sure there are no conflicts with their testing date.
Once students have completed their tests and received their results, their test scores remain valid for two years and can be used in their college applications throughout that period.
To aid in the development of students worldwide, InGenius Prep is excited to announce our partnership with TOEFL iBT. In collaboration with ETS, a global leader in education, InGenius Prep is bringing our industry-leading expertise in college admissions to students across the globe. Secure your date for the TOEFL iBT or click the banner below to register for the exam on the ETS website.
Who Should Take the TOEFL Test?
TOEFL is needed for any student applying to English-speaking colleges, especially in the US, UK, and other countries. Regardless of nationality, citizenship, or location, relevant institutions will require the exam as part of a student’s application and often before the final application deadline.
Some universities, such as Stanford, offer exemptions or waivers for the TOEFL for foreign language students. However, these exceptions often involve verifying one’s English-speaking proficiency by another method, such as having earned a Bachelor’s degree from a relevant institution. This flowchart by Stanford illustrates which students need to take the exam and which may be exempt.
Policies may differ between universities. Check with the school you are applying to to verify their application requirements.
If you are a student from a foreign country, have English as your non-primary language, or have a degree from a non-English speaking school, the TOEFL exam will be required to apply to a wide range of English-speaking schools.
How to Pass the TOEFL Test
Scoring well is the first step in academic success in thousands of institutions worldwide. To ensure they are well-prepared, students have a number of resources available to enhance their TOEFL score.
ETS offers resources and study materials for the TOEFL exam test. TOEFL TestReady is a portal that includes practice tests, performance insights, courses, guidebooks, and more. ETS also offers the TOEFL iBT Sample Test, where students can experience a 40-minute example of the TOEFL with questions from all four sections. For students who want to take a step further and get personalized guidance, ETS also has Tutors at Preply® to help students train for every aspect of the TOEFL exam.
Other resources, applications, and webinars are also available for students on the ETS website.
