Preparation and passing the international TOEFL exam for foreign students

For students studying English, passing the international exam is a serious step and a real challenge. Prestigious tests are aimed at determining the level of language learning, have a complex structure and are constantly being improved. Let the SMAPSE specialists focus on the modern and most common version of the language exam - TOEFL iBT.

History and key facts

• TOEFL Language Exam is an English as a Foreign Language test that was developed by teachers at Princeton University in the 60-s years.
• For international students who want to study at universities and schools abroad, this test is of paramount importance: in most educational institutions in North America, they require a certificate confirming a sufficient level of language proficiency.
• The test is very popular and trustworthy, it is recognized in 170 countries.
• Today TOEFL is presented in the form of a computer version, and the TOEFL PBT (Paper-based test) test is practically not accepted anywhere.
• The exam lasts about four hours
• The exam consists of the following parts: reading, listening, speaking and writing
• The cost of the exam will range from $ 200 to $ 260 - the test can be taken an unlimited number of times, but the price for it will remain the same. The interval between the previous and the next exam is at least 21 days.
• The certificate is valid for two years, but some universities require that the language exam be passed no earlier than 18 months before the submission of documents.

TOEFL: Exam Procedure

1. Before passing the test, students are given rules of exam conduct 
2. The first part - "Reading", it takes an hour and a half. Students are given three or four texts and assignments to them
3. Listening is the next part, which will also take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. Students listen to monologues and dialogues, answer questions, then take a 10-minute break
4. Conversation - consists of six tasks, lasts twenty minutes. You must answer the questions to be recorded, live communication with the examiner is not expected. Two questions will be unexpected, which need to be answered immediately, the response time is 45 seconds. Four questions relate to the information heard and read, for each 20-30 seconds are allotted, and a minute is given for the answer.
5. The letter consists of two tasks: answering the question about what was listened to and what was read (for this task, 20 minutes are allotted), writing an essay on a given topic (time to complete is 30 minutes). It is recommended to write about 300 words for the essay and 200 to answer the question.

Test rules

• The price of testing is set by the ETS and varies from country to country. The registration fee is paid on the website using a bank card.
• The details of the exam and the exact cost can be found on the company's website, registration is also carried out here (other options are to register by mail or by phone).
• Registration for exams opens 3-4 months before the due date. Those who decide to take the exam less than a week before the exam pay an additional $ 35.
• The postponement of exams costs 60 $, in case of cancellation, 50% of the spent amount is refunded. If you cancel or postpone the exam in less than three days, the money spent will not be refunded.

Exam results

The test results can be viewed on the website + you will receive a letter with the results by mail in 10-12 days.

System Assessment:

To enroll in a prestigious educational institution abroad, you must provide a certificate of passing the language exam. The admissions commissions take into account the results obtained during the testing, and the educational institutions themselves set the minimum passing score - you can study the requirements of the best universities and private schools on the official websites. To enter the best universities in the world, you need to score between 100 and 120 points.

When registering for the exam, students indicate four educational institutions to which they plan to submit documents, and upon request, the exam results will be delivered there within 7 days. To send test results to several other educational institutions, you need to pay around $ 20.

TOP 5 Tips how to prepare for TOEFL

1. Learn format and structure

People are afraid of the unknown: learn the standardized test and the procedure for passing it from A to Z.

2. Academic English

The test is designed to determine how much a foreign student is ready to study in the United States, does he understand the language that will sound within the walls of prestigious universities and schools? Encyclopedias, scientific journals, scientific articles are written in academic English. You do not need to demonstrate excellent knowledge in specific subjects, but demonstrating a strong knowledge of the academic style is the main task.

3. Practical tests

By taking practice tests, you will be able to get used to the structure of the text, increase stress resistance and be more confident. You can find tests online, reference books, and tutorials.

4. Help of specialists

Find an experienced teacher who purposefully prepares students for the TOEFL. The mentor's help, advice and support will help you get to the end.

5. Language courses

Prestigious language centers in the USA and Canada develop special programs for international students, after which you can take an international exam. Such programs are not cheap, but they guarantee results.

TOEFL Preparation Abroad: Popular Programs for Adults