What is TOEFL?

A Brief Overview of TOEFL

*by Aziza Restu Febrianto, S.Pd

1. What is TOEFL?

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an English test designed to measure English proficiency especially for those who do not use English as their mother tongue. TOEFL is developed and administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service). ETS is a nonprofit institution located in USA and established in 1964. The score of TOEFL is usually used as one of the qualifications to enroll approximately 2400 universities in USA, Canada, and some universities in 80 other countries (ETS: 1999).

2. What skills are tested in TOEFL?

There are actually three sections completed in the test. The first section is Listening Comprehension which measures the ability in listening. In this section, the test takers have to complete 50 items. The second section is Structure and Written Expressions which consists of 40 items. And the last section is Reading Comprehension with 50 items. The whole items are designed in multiple choice forms. However, especially in Computer Based TOEFL/ Internet Based TOEFL (IBT), writing section is included. Writing section measures the writing ability of the test takers to write an essay in English and the other variations such as words and sentences matching, highlighting some certain words which have something to do with the main idea of a given paragraph.

The time allotment for the whole test is 150 minutes for Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL and about 240 minutes for Computer Based TOEFL/ Internet Based TOEFL (IBT) including the tutorial, instructions, and procedures.

3. How many kinds of TOEFL used nowadays?

There are two kinds of TOEFL officially used today;

1)      Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL

2)      Computer Based TOEFL

In Indonesia, the TOEFL commonly used is Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL in which paper and pencil are the materials needed. However, Computer Based TOEFL/ Internet Based TOEFL (IBT) is a new type design of TOEFL which needs a computer set and internet connection to run the test. This kind of test was introduced in 1998. Due to the test requires a computer set and internet connection, the test takers also use computer in answering all the questions.

4. Is there still any other kinds of TOEFL?

For certain internal institutional purposes, ETS holds TOEFL ITP (ITP= Institutional Testing Programme). The form and the difficulty level are not different from the Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL as well as the Computer Based TOEFL/ Internet Based TOEFL (IBT). The reason is the questions and the items are those used in the previous tests.

TOEFL ITP is different from the other types of TOEFL in term of the test use. The score gained through TOEL ITP cannot be used for applying to study in USA. Universities in USA only require the TOEFL score from Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL or Computer Based TOEFL/ Internet Based TOEFL (IBT). Moreover, in term of the test cost, TOEFL ITP is cheaper than the other kinds of TOEFL. TOEFL ITP costs $ 25 and Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL or Computer Based TOEFL costs $ 110.

Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL or Computer Based TOEFL is only conducted in certain Test center and the dates are scheduled some weeks before. In TOEFL ITP, the dates are flexible according to the test takers and the examiners’ decision. In Indonesia, we can officially take TOEFL ITP from IIEF (The Indonesian International Education Foundation) in collaboration with the language centers of the chosen universities.

Another type of TOEFL is TOEFL Prediction/Equivalent Test. The test is taken to predict the TOEFL score of the test takers before taking the real TOEFL (Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL, Computer Based TOEFL/ Internet Based TOEFL (IBT), or TOEFL ITP). This kind of TOEFL is usually conducted by private courses and language centers which offer a TOEFL preparation test.

5. What is the Scoring system of TOEFL (Paper and Pencil BasedTOEFL, TOEFL ITP, TOEFL Prediction Test dan Computer Based TOEFL/ Internet Based TOEFL (IBT)?

The scoring system used in all kinds of TOEFL is different. The score range used in Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL, TOEFL ITP, and TOEFL Prediction Test 310 (lowest score) to 677 (highest score), in Computer Based TOEFL/ Internet Based TOEFL (IBT) the lowest score is 0 and the highest score is 300 (TOEFL Score User Guide, 2000-2001).

 However, the difficulty level of the items in all sections are the same. In other words, the score 677 gained from Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL  is considered the same with the score 300 gained from  Computer Based TOEFL/ Internet Based TOEFL (IBT). And vice versa, the score 213 gained from Computer Based TOEFL/ Internet Based TOEFL (IBT) is considered the same with the score 550 gained from Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL.

6. What do the scores mean?

In general, there are three levels of foreign language mastery; Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. Comparing with the TOEFL scores, it is stated in the following estimations (Carson, et al., 1990):

Elementary Users                         : 310 – 420

Low Intermediate Users              : 420 – 480

High Intermediate Users            : 480 – 520

Advanced Users                          : 525 – 677

                                                                                                

7. When and Where do we take TOEFL test?

Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL and Computer Based TOEFL/ Internet Based TOEFL (IBT) can only taken based on the scheduled dates. The testing centers are also determined by ETS as the official TOEFL test institution. The test is usually called International TOEFL. Therefore, there are exactly three different names of TOEFL;

a.       International TOEFL (Paper and Pencil Based TOEFL and Computer Based TOEFL/ Internet Based TOEFL (IBT)

b.      TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Programme) and TOEFL Equivalent/Prediction

To take TOEFL ITP, the test takers have to contact the institutions designated by IIEF Jakarta for the testing place or center. In TOEFL ITP, the number of the test takers must be in minimum of 10 people. The language Center Unmul has officially become one of the institutions which have a license to conduct TOEFL ITP. 

TOEFL Prediction/Equivalent is the most flexible TOEFL test. The test takers can anytime contact the institution a day before the test date. We can also take the TOEFL Prediction/Equivalent in Unmul Language Center, Jakarta or other institutions which have the license to conduct the test.

8. How to Prepare TOEFL test?

The TOEFL test is a test of English. To do well on this test, you should therefore work in two areas to improve your score:

a.         You must work on improving your knowledge of the English language.

b.        You must work on the skills and strategies specific to the TOEFL test.

An understanding of the TOEFL strategies and skills presented in this text can improve your TOEFL score. However, skills and strategies alone will not make you successfully; a good basic knowledge of the English language is also necessary. Therefore, do not forget the general study of the English language as you work to prepare for the TOEFL test.