Test of English as a Foreign language - Wikipedia Test of English as a Foreign language `` TOEFL '' redirects here. It is not to be confused with Teaching of English as a foreign language. Test of English as a Foreign Language Acronym TOEFL Type Internet - based or paper - based standardized test. Developer / administrator Educational Testing Service Knowledge / skills tested Reading, listening, speaking and writing of the English language. Purpose To assess the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers. Year started 1964 ; 54 years ago ( 1964 ) Duration Internet - based test ( iBT ) : 3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes ( excluding 10 - minute break in - between ). Paper - based test ( PBT ) : 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. Score / grade range iBT : 0 to 30 ( in 1 point increments ) on each of the 4 sections. So total of 0 to 120. PBT : Listening : 31 to 68, Structure : 31 to 69, Reading : 31 to 67. Total of 310 to 677. Writing ( separate ) : 0 to 6. ( All in 1 point increments. ) Score / grade validity 2 years Offered iBT : More than 50 times a year. Restrictions on attempts iBT : Can be taken only once in any 12 - day period. Countries / regions 4,500 test centers in 165 countries. Languages English Annual number of test takers ? Prerequisites / eligibility criteria No official prerequisite. Intended for non-native English speakers. Fee iBT : US $ 160 to US $ 250, depending on the country. PBT : US $ 180. Scores / grades used by More than 10,000 colleges, agencies and other institutions in over 130 countries. Website www.ets.org/toefl 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 many English - speaking academic and professional institutions. TOEFL is one of the two major English - language tests in the world, the other being the IELTS. 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, sent independently to institutions, for two years following the test. Contents 1 History 2 Formats and content 2.1 Internet - based test 2.2 Paper - based Test 3 Test scores 3.1 TOEFL iBT Test 3.2 Paper - based Test 3.3 Accepted TOEFL Scores 4 TOEFL ITP Tests 5 TOEFL Junior Tests 6 Linking TOEFL iBT Score Ranges to IELTS Scores 7 See also 8 Notes and references 9 External links History 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 - 1964 time frame. The test was originally developed at the Center for Applied Linguistics under the direction of Stanford University applied linguistics professor Dr. Charles A. Ferguson. The TOEFL test was first administered in 1964 by the Modern Language Association financed by grants from the Ford Foundation and Danforth Foundation. In 1965, The College Board and ETS jointly assumed responsibility for the continuation of the TOEFL testing program. 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. 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 which 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 grants 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, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc., even though they may have English as the de facto official language. Formats and content Internet - based test Since its introduction in late 2005, the TOEFL Internet - based Test ( iBT ) format has progressively replaced the computer - based tests ( CBT ) and paper - based tests ( PBT ), although paper - based testing is still used in select areas. The TOEFL iBT test has been introduced in phases, with the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy in 2005 and the rest of the world in 2006, with test centers added regularly. The CBT was discontinued in September 2006 and these scores are no longer valid. Initially, the demand for test seats was higher than availability, and candidates had to wait for months. It is now possible to take the test within one to four weeks in most countries. The four - hour test consists of four sections, each measuring one of the basic language skills ( while some tasks require integrating multiple skills ), and all tasks focus on language used in an academic, higher - education environment. Note - taking is allowed during the TOEFL iBT test. The test can not be taken more than once every 12 days. Reading The Reading section consists of questions on 3 - 5 passages, each approximately 700 words in length. The passages are on academic topics ; they are the kind of material that might be found in an undergraduate university textbook. Passages require understanding of rhetorical functions such as cause - effect, compare - contrast and argumentation. Students answer questions about main ideas, details, inferences, essential information, sentence insertion, vocabulary, rhetorical purpose and overall ideas. New types of questions in the TOEFL iBT test require filling out tables or completing summaries. Prior knowledge of the subject under discussion is not necessary to come to the correct answer. Listening The Listening section consists of questions on six passages, each 3 -- 5 minutes in length. These passages include two student conversations and four academic lectures or discussions. The conversations involve a student and either a professor or a campus service provider. The lectures are a self - contained portion of an academic lecture, which may involve student participation and does not assume specialized background knowledge in the subject area. Each conversation and lecture passage is heard only once. Test - takers may take notes while they listen and they may refer to their notes when they answer the questions. Each conversation is associated with five questions and each lecture with six. The questions are meant to measure the ability to understand main ideas, important details, implications, relationships between ideas, organization of information, speaker purpose and speaker attitude. Speaking The Speaking section consists of six tasks : two independent and four integrated. In the two independent tasks, test - takers answer opinion questions on familiar topics. They are evaluated on their ability to speak spontaneously and convey their ideas clearly and coherently. In two of the integrated tasks, test - takers read a short passage, listen to an academic course lecture or a conversation about campus life and answer a question by combining appropriate information from the text and the talk. In the two remaining integrated tasks, test - takers listen to an academic course lecture or a conversation about campus life and then respond to a question about what they heard. In the integrated tasks, test - takers are evaluated on their ability to appropriately synthesize and effectively convey information from the reading and listening material. Test - takers may take notes as they read and listen and may use their notes to help prepare their responses. Test - takers are given a short preparation time before they have to begin speaking. The responses are digitally recorded, sent to ETS 's Online Scoring Network ( OSN ), and evaluated by three to six raters. Writing The Writing section measures a test taker 's ability to write in an academic setting and consists of two tasks : one integrated and one independent. In the integrated task, test - takers read a passage on an academic topic and then listen to a speaker discuss it. The test - taker then writes a summary about the important points in the listening passage and explains how these relate to the key points of the reading passage. In the independent task, the test - taker must write an essay that states their opinion or choice, and then explain it, rather than simply listing personal preferences or choices. Responses are sent to the ETS OSN and evaluated by at least 3 different raters. Task Description Approximate time Reading 3 -- 5 passages, each containing 12 -- 14 questions 60 -- 80 minutes Listening 6 -- 9 passages, each containing 5 -- 6 questions 60 -- 90 minutes Break Mandatory break 10 minutes Speaking 6 tasks 20 minutes Writing 2 tasks 50 minutes One of the sections of the test will include extra, uncounted material. Educational Testing Service includes extra material to pilot test questions for future test forms. When test - takers are given a longer section, they should give equal effort to all of the questions because they do not know which question will count and which will be considered extra. For example, if there are four reading passages instead of three, then one of the passages will not be counted. Any of the four could be the uncounted one. Paper - based test The TOEFL ® paper - based Test ( PBT ) is available in limited areas. Scores are valid for two years after the test date, and test takers can have their scores sent to institutions or face time. Listening ( 30 -- 40 minutes ) The Listening section consists of 3 parts. The first one contains 30 questions about short conversations. The second part has 8 questions about longer conversations. The last part asks 12 questions about lectures or talks. Structure and Written Expression ( 25 minutes ) The Structure and Written Expression section has 15 exercises of completing sentences correctly and 25 exercises of identifying errors. Reading Comprehension ( 55 minutes ) The Reading Comprehension sections has 50 questions about reading passages. Writing ( 30 minutes ) The TOEFL PBT administrations include a writing test called the Test of Written English ( TWE ). This is one essay question with 250 -- 300 words in average. Test scores TOEFL iBT test The TOEFL iBT test is scored on a scale of 0 to 120 points. Each of the four sections ( Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing ) receives a scaled score from 0 to 30. The scaled scores from the four sections are added together to determine the total score. The reading and listening sections are tested first, followed by a ten - minute break. The speaking and writing sections are then completed following the break. A maximum amount of 250 minutes is allowed to complete the whole exam process. Each speaking question is initially given a score of 0 to 4, and each writing question is initially given a score of 0 to 5. These scores are converted to scaled scores of 0 to 30. Paper - based test The final PBT score ranges between 310 and 677 and is based on three subscores : Listening ( 31 -- 68 ), Structure ( 31 -- 68 ), and Reading ( 31 -- 67 ). Unlike the CBT, the score of the Writing component ( referred to as the Test of Written English, TWE ) is not part of the final score ; instead, it is reported separately on a scale of 0 -- 6. The score test takers receive on the Listening, Structure and Reading parts of the TOEFL test is not the percentage of correct answers. The score is converted to take into account the fact that some tests are more difficult than others. The converted scores correct these differences. Therefore, the converted score is a more accurate reflection of the ability than the raw score is. Accepted TOEFL scores Most colleges use TOEFL scores as only one factor in their admission process, with a college or program within a college often setting a minimum TOEFL score required. The minimum TOEFL iBT scores range from 61 ( Bowling Green State University ) to 111 ( University of Oxford ). ETS has released tables to convert between iBT, CBT and PBT scores. TOEFL ITP tests 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 matches the `` TOEFL PBT '', 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. TOEFL Junior tests 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 CEFR and test takers are provided with a certificate of achievement. Linking TOEFL iBT Score Ranges to IELTS Scores IELTS Score TOEFL Score IELTS Description 9 118 - 120 Expert User 8.5 115 - 117 Very Good User 8 110 - 114 7.5 102 - 109 Good User 7 94 - 101 6.5 79 - 93 Competent User 6 60 - 78 5.5 42 - 59 Modest User 5 35 - 41 4.5 32 - 34 Limited User 0 - 4 0 - 31 Extremely Limited / Intermittent / Non User See also English as a Foreign or Second Language ( EFSL ) International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ) International Student Admissions Test ( ISAT ) List of admissions tests National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters ( NAATI ) Teaching English as a foreign language ( TEFL ) Test of English for International Communication ( TOEIC ) PTE Academic Pearson Test of English Academic Standardised test UBELT University of Bath English Language Test. University of Cambridge ESOL examination LNAT Trinity College London ESOL The European Language Certificates ( TELC ) EF Standard English Test Notes and references `` Test and Score Summary for TOEFL Internet Based Test : September 2005 - December 2006 Test Data '', Educational Testing Service, 2007 Jump up ^ `` TOEFL : Paper - based Test : Frequently Asked Questions ''. Retrieved 2 May 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` TOEFL iBT : About the Test ''. Retrieved 2 May 2015. Jump up ^ `` TOEFL iBT : Frequently Asked Questions ''. Retrieved 2 May 2015. Jump up ^ `` ETS TOEFL 2017 -- 2018 Information and Registration Bulletin '' ( PDF ). Retrieved 26 September 2017. Jump up ^ `` TOEFL iBT : Who Accepts TOEFL Scores ''. Retrieved 2 May 2015. Jump up ^ `` TOEFL iBT : Scores ''. Retrieved 2 May 2015. ^ Jump up to : Cf. ETS 2007 document `` Test and Score Summary for TOEFL Internet Based Test : September 2005 - December 2006 Test Data '', p. 3, section `` History of the TOEFL Program '' Jump up ^ Stanford University, Memorial Resolution : Charles A. Ferguson ( 1921 -- 1998 ), May 1999 Jump up ^ `` TOEFL iBT Locations and Dates ''. Retrieved 2 May 2015. Jump up ^ `` TOEFL iBT : About the Test ''. Retrieved 2 May 2015. Jump up ^ http://www.ets.org/Media/Research/pdf/TC-10-08.pdf Jump up ^ `` Test Of English as a Foreign Language ''. Retrieved 8 February 2013. Jump up ^ `` TOEFL : Paper - based Test : Test Content and Structure ''. Retrieved 2 May 2015. Jump up ^ http://umasterexam.com/reading/ Jump up ^ BGSU Undergraduate Admissions Requirements. BGSU website. retrieved 2014 - 10 - 03. Jump up ^ English language requirements. Retrieved 11 February 2015. Jump up ^ http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/TOEFL_iBT_Score_Comparison_Tables.pdf Jump up ^ `` TOEFL ® ITP Assessments : Test Content ''. Retrieved 24 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` TOEFL ® ITP Assessment Series ''. Retrieved 8 February 2013. Jump up ^ `` TOEFL ® Junior TM Tests ''. Retrieved 8 February 2013. Jump up ^ `` Linking TOEFL iBT Scores to IELTS Scores '' ( PDF ). ETS. p. http://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/scores/compare/. Retrieved 26 January 2012. External links ETS Official TOEFL Site TOEFL Junior TOEFL information website for residents of Mainland China, English version - by the Chinese National Education Examinations Authority Language tests English International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ) Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ) Test of English for International Communication ( TOEIC ) Cambridge English Language Assessment CaMLA English Placement Test EFSET ECCE ECPE MELAB Michigan English Test MTELP Series PTE Trinity College London ESOL Young Learners Tests of English STEP Eiken TrackTest College English Test General English Proficiency Test Public English Test System The European Language Certificates ( TELC ) Common Recruitment Examination ( CRE ) Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers ( LPAT ) Chinese Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi ( HSK ) Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language Putonghua Proficiency Test ( PSC ) Zhíyè Hànyŭ Nénglì Cèshì ( ZHC ) Common Recruitment Examination ( CRE ) Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers ( LPAT ) Japanese Japanese - Language Proficiency Test ( JLPT ) J - Test Kanji kentei Business Japanese Proficiency Test NNS Korean Test of Proficiency in Korean ( TOPIK ) Korean Language Proficiency Test French Diplôme d'études en langue française ( DELF ) Diplôme approfondi de langue française ( DALF ) Test d'évaluation du français Test de français international Test de connaissance du français The European Language Certificates ( TELC ) TNF Spanish Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera ( DELE ) Certificado de Español : Lengua y Uso ( CELU ) The European Language Certificates ( TELC ) Portuguese Certificado de Proficiência em Língua Portuguesa para Estrangeiros ( CELPE - Bras ) Centro de Avaliação de Português Língua Estrangeira ( CAPLE ) The European Language Certificates ( TELC ) Italian Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri ( PLIDA ) CELI CILS The European Language Certificates ( TELC ) German Goethe - Zertifikat Deutsches Sprachdiplom Stufe I and II Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache ( TestDaf ) The European Language Certificates ( TELC ) NTD Russian Test of Russian as a Foreign Language ( TORFL ) The European Language Certificates ( TELC ) Russian Language Proficiency Test ( ТПРЯ ) Dutch Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal ( CNaVT ) Staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal ( NT2 ) Polish Certificate Examinations in Polish as a Foreign Language The European Language Certificates ( TELC ) Swedish Test in Swedish for University Studies Multilingual The European Language Certificates ( TELC ) VIAF : 193682465 GND : 4406821 - 9 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Test_of_English_as_a_Foreign_Language&oldid=815672817 '' Categories : English language tests English - language education 1964 introductions Hidden categories : Use American English from November 2015 All Wikipedia articles written in American English Use mdy dates from November 2015 All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from August 2017 Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Languages Azərbaycanca Български Català Deutsch Eesti Español فارسی Français 한국어 Հայերեն Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Basa Jawa Қазақша Kurdî Lietuvių മലയാളം مصرى Nederlands 日本 語 Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча Piemontèis Polski Português Română Русский Саха тыла Simple English Slovenščina کوردی Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska தமிழ் Татарча / tatarça ไทย Тоҷикӣ Türkçe Türkmençe Українська اردو Tiếng Việt 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 16 December 2017, at 09 : 09. 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Question: internet based test of english as a foreign language test
Answer: TOEFL