A Brief Overview of
TOEFL
*by Aziza Restu
Febrianto, S.Pd
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
