TOEFL: An Overview
TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, assesses non-native English speakers' ability to use and understand English in an academic setting. It's a key requirement for university admissions worldwide.
Four Skills Tested
The TOEFL evaluates four language skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section mimics real-life academic scenarios, preparing students for the demands of English-speaking universities.
Adaptive Testing Technology
Interestingly, the TOEFL iBT is adaptive by section. Your performance on the Reading and Listening sections determines the difficulty level of the following questions, tailoring the test to your proficiency.
Speaking Section Uniqueness
In the Speaking section, your responses are recorded and evaluated by multiple graders abroad, ensuring a fair and unbiased assessment. This approach is distinct from other English proficiency tests.
Global Recognition
The TOEFL is accepted by over 10,000 institutions in more than 150 countries, including the UK, the US, Australia, and Canada. It's not just for university admissions but also for immigration purposes.
Validity and Retakes
TOEFL scores are valid for two years. There's no limit to how many times you can retake the exam, but you cannot take it more than once in a 3-day period, ensuring a fair chance of improvement.
Uncommon Score Usage
Beyond academia, TOEFL scores are sometimes requested by medical and licensing agencies for professional certification purposes, and even for scholarship applications, reflecting its broad utility beyond university admissions.
What does TOEFL assess?
Native speakers' language skills
Non-native speakers' academic English
English literature comprehension
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