Test of English as a Foreign Language
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL /ˈtoʊfəl/ TOH-fəl) is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities. The test is accepted by more than 11,000 universities and other institutions in over 190 countries and territories. TOEFL is one of several major English-language tests worldwide, including IELTS, Duolingo English Test, Cambridge Assessment English, and Trinity College London exams.
"TOEFL" redirects here. Not to be confused with Teaching of English as a foreign language.Acronym
TOEFL
Internet-based or paper-based standardized test.
Reading, listening, speaking and writing of the English language.
To assess the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers.
1964
iBT:
0 to 30 (in 1-point increments) on each of the 4 sections. So a total of 0 to 120.
PBT:
Reading: 0 to 30, listening: 0 to 30, Writing: 0 to 30. No overall score.
2 years
iBT: More than 50 times a year.[3]
iBT: Can be taken only once in any 3-day period.[4]
4,500 test centers in over 190 countries and territories.[3]
2.3 million
No official prerequisite. Intended for non-native English speakers.
iBT: US$ 185 and up, depending on the country.[3]
More than 11,000 colleges, agencies, and other institutions in over 150 countries.[5]
TOEFL is a trademark of the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a private non-profit organization, which designs and administers the tests. ETS issues official score reports which are sent independently to institutions and are valid for two years following the test.[6]
History[edit]
In 1962, a national council made up of representatives of thirty government and private organizations was formed to address the problem of ensuring English language proficiency for non-native speakers wishing to study at U.S. universities. This council recommended the development and administration of the TOEFL exam for the 1963–1965 timings.[7]
The test was initially developed at the Center for Applied Linguistics under the direction of Stanford University applied linguistics professor Charles A. Ferguson.[8]
The TOEFL test was first administered in 1964 by the Modern Language Association financed by grants from the Ford Foundation and Danforth Foundation.[7]
In 1965, The College Board and ETS jointly assumed responsibility for continuing the TOEFL testing program.[7]
In 1973, a cooperative arrangement was made between ETS, The College Board, and the Graduate Record Examinations board of advisers to oversee and run the program. ETS was to administer the exam with the guidance of the TOEFL board.[7]
To the present day, college admission criteria for international students who are nationals of some of the Commonwealth nations exempt them from taking the TOEFL exam. Nations that are part of the English-speaking world (from most Commonwealth realms to former British colonies e.g., Hong Kong SAR or former/protectorates of the United States (Philippines, Puerto Rico), where English is the de facto official language, automatically grant a TOEFL exemption with some restrictions (e.g., residents of Quebec are required to take TOEFL while the rest of Canada is exempt – also inclusive of Commonwealth nations where English is not an official language e.g., Mozambique or Namibia (English is co-official but spoken by 3% of the population)). However, this does not apply to some Commonwealth nations outside the Anglosphere, due to the IELTS, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc., even though they may have English as the de facto official language.
TOEFL ITP tests[edit]
TOEFL ITP ("ITP" stands for "Institutional Testing Program") tests are paper-based and use academic content to evaluate the English-language proficiency of non-native English speakers. The tests use new and previously administered TOEFL test questions and are used for placement, progress, evaluation, exit testing, and other situations. The test scores, format, and content of the test match the "TOEFL PBT",[21] with the exception of not including the TWE (Test of Written Expression).
Unlike the TOEFL iBT and PBT tests, TOEFL ITP tests are administered by the institution and for internal use. It should not replace the need for the TOEFL iBT test, which is administered securely and includes Speaking and Writing components. There are two levels of TOEFL ITP: Level 1 (intermediate to advanced) and Level 2 (high beginning to intermediate). TOEFL ITP scores are mapped to the CEFR and test takers are provided with a certificate of achievement.[22][23]
TOEFL Junior tests[edit]
ETS also offers the TOEFL Junior tests, a general assessment of middle school-level English-language proficiency. It is intended for students aged 11+. The tests are administered in two formats: TOEFL Junior Standard (on paper) and TOEFL Junior Comprehensive (via computer). The TOEFL Junior Standard test has three sections: Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, and Language Form and Meaning. The TOEFL Junior Comprehensive test has four: Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Speaking, and Writing. TOEFL Junior scores are mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and test takers are provided with a certificate of achievement.[24]
The test is scored on a scale of 0 to 300 on each section, added up to determine the total score (0–900). The minimum passing score is 600, corresponding to 200 scores for each section.
TOEFL Primary test[edit]
The TOEFL family of tests has also created the TOEFL Primary test. It is designed for students between the ages of eight and eleven.[25] The test is divided into 3 sections: reading and listening – step 1, reading and listening – step 2, and speaking. Depending on the fluency of students' English, they will be expected to take either the step 1 or step 2 test. Students are expected to take two of the three sections, depending on their communicative skills in English. They will take either the step 1 or step 2 test. The reading and listening tests can be done on paper or digitally, but the speaking test is only available digitally.
While the other TOEFL test scores are valid for two years, this test is only valid for one.[26] This is because of how quickly children grow in their communicative abilities.
Scores for these tests range from 101–115 for the reading and listening, and 1–27 for the speaking portion.