TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language - Eligibility, Pattern, Score, Process and fee.

TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. The TOEFL test measures the ability of non-native English speakers to use and understand English as it’s read, written, heard and spoken in the university classroom.

The exam comprises four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.

What are the eligibility conditions to take the TOEFL test?
Students who want to study abroad are required to appear for the TOEFL exam. However, there are certain eligibility guidelines that students have to follow before applying for the exam. ETS – the conducting body of TOEFL, has not specified any age limit required to appear for the TOEFL test. Students who have successfully passed out high school or equivalent are eligible to appear for the exam.

Which are the modes of TOEFL exam?
Internet-Based Test (iBT)
As the name suggests, the TOEFL Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) is the online version of the test for candidates looking to appear for their exam. It is the more favoured medium of TOEFL due to its easy ways of convenience.

Paper-Based Test (PBT)
The TOEFL Paper Based Test (TOEFL PBT) is the more conventional method, wherein paper and pen are widely used for the purpose of the exam. Not a big hit among students, the paper-based mode of the TOEFL exam is conducted in areas that lack a computer or basic Internet facility.

What is the pattern of the TOEFL exam?
In the TOEFL test, there are 4 sections reading, listening, writing and speaking.
In the Reading section, you get passages to read, from which you have to answer 36-56 questions and that is to be completed in 60-80 minutes.
In the Listening section, there are 34-51 questions, which you have to answer after listening to a lecture or a classroom discussion and to complete this section you get the time limit of 60-90 minutes.
Once you’ve been through these two sections of TOEFL exam, you get 10 minutes break before starting the rest of 2 sections.
Then there is Speaking. In the Speaking section, you get only 20 minutes to complete 6 tasks. In those 6 tasks, you need to speak on the microphone about familiar topics and discuss material you read about and listen to.
Then the last one is the Writing Section. In this section, there are 2 tasks in which you have to read a passage, listen to the recording and then type your written response for which you get 50 minutes to complete it.

What is Score pattern of TOEFL exam?
In TOEFL exam, Score requirements are set by individual colleges and universities in which you are planning to take admission. You’ll receive a score from 0 to 30 for each section and a total score of 0 to 120 for the entire test. Scores are valid for 2 years after your test date. You can try for a better score as many times as you’d like—there are unlimited retakes. You just can’t take the test more than once in a 12-day period.
Your scores will be ready in 10 days, and you can view them online easily. A paper score report will be mailed to you if you select that option when you register or
You can download a PDF copy of your score report from your account. Other than this Scores are sent free to up to 4 institutions that you select prior to your test day.

What this the complete registration process of the TOEFL exam?
Registration is available five to six months before the test date. You should register early to reserve your seat. Registration for TOEFL can be done in four ways via phone, online, mail or in person at the TOEFL test registration centre. There are various test centres available for TOEFL application. Before filling the application, you should decide where you will give the exam. Besides this, online registration for TOEFL exam will close seven days before the test date.

To apply online for this exam you need to follow a few steps:
• Step 1- Go to the official website of ETS and create your profile.
• Step 2- Fill all the information like your name, address, and email id etc.
• Step 3-Make sure the information you provide is the same as it is on your passport. and
• Step 4- Proceed to pay the application fee.


What is the fee for the TOEFL exam?
As there two modes to take this exam so the fee differs for both. For internet-based TOEFL exam, the fee is $160-$250 i.e. Rs.11,040/- to Rs.17,250/- and for TOEFL paper-based test, the fee is $180 i.e. Rs.12,420/-. The fee payment process depends on the mode you are going to select for registration.

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