TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized test for students who plan enter a college or university in North America. Given to students who do not have English as their primary language, the test evaluates their reading comprehension, vocabulary, syntax, and other skills. Over 50,000 colleges and universities worldwide accept TOEFL with 1 million individuals being tested each year. The test measures language skills of all English speaking individuals and is not limited to only the United States. Students should study a minimum of six months prior to taking the exam and plan to take the exam at least a year before entering a university or college.
Students taking the four-hour exam will be tested in both computer and paper formats. The computer format is divided into four sections of listening, structure, reading and writing that cover the understanding of spoken English, the ability to recognize language as it is spoken and written in North America and writing skills on a given topic. The paper format has three sections that measure English listening comprehension, recognition of standard written English and the reading and understanding of everyday English usage.
You will need a TOEFL score of 213 in the computer portion of the exam and 550 in the paper portion in order to enter a university. If necessary, you can retake the exam, keeping in mind that once recorded; your scores are valid for two years.
TOEFL Preparation
Hard work and diligent study will help to ensure your success on the TOEFL. You might choose a coaching school to improve your English usage. Be sure to select a legitimate school especially one that is recognized or comes recommended. Each coaching school is different so examine what learning tools they use. Other great coaching sources for you are books, software programs and online coaching to help prepare you for TOEFL.