TOEFL: In and Out -Fahmida Mehreen

As a large number of students from all over the world prepare to embark on their new adventures, joining colleges and universities, a lot of preparation and planning is taking place.
A vital part of this preparation includes some international standard tests like the SAT, IELTS, and TOEFL. Knowing what each is, when and where it is required, and how to pursue it is an essential part of the holistic groundwork.

TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language and is a standardised English testing system required specifically for university admission in the United States of America for both undergraduate and occasionally master’s levels. The Educational Testing Services (ETS), a private education testing and assessment organisation with its headquarters in New Jersey, USA, globally organises and monitors this test. Given that both IELTS and TOEFL are English testing services, it is important to understand how they differ and what each is for.

To put it simply and briefly, when a candidate is to apply to universities in the US, TOEFL is a requirement besides the SAT. Since the TOEFL aims to evaluate academic English, nearly 90% of US colleges favour it. On the contrary, IELTS is a general English test that works for academic, professional, and migration purposes in most countries where English is the primary language of communication. Hence, if a student is inclined to pursue higher studies in North America, TOEFL may be a fundamental requirement.

Now, let’s familiarise ourselves with TOEFL! Universities in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand accept the TOEFL in addition to those in the USA. While searching for the admission prerequisites, one should be able to come across these finer details. Even in the UK, TOEFL is considered for academic English proficiency assessment. Despite not being as popular as IELTS, TOEFL still emphasises the importance of academic English. Unlike most other international tests, the TOEFL categorises tests into types based on age. Institutions individually offer TOEFL ITP to adults to assess the English proficiency of potential students. Conversely, children between the ages of 11 and 16 take TOEFL Junior, while those under 11 take TOEFL Primary. The question may arise: why do children as young as 11 years and below need to take an English proficiency test? Well, a lot of children from various parts of the world plan and prepare to study in schools abroad, which require them to take the test. The age-appropriate design of the test ensures that it doesn’t seem overwhelming for the kids. Nonetheless, it requires additional effort and guided preparation.

Like most other tests, the initial preparation starts with knowing the test format. Anyone can easily become unprepared if the format is unexpected. The official TOEFL website provides a vivid demonstration and detailed information about the test’s design. There are two modes of testing: internet-based testing (IBT) and paper-based testing. IBT comprises reading, listening, speaking, and writing with a specific time and a range of questions allotted to each segment. Similar segments, including listening, writing, reading, and assessing written English through essay writing, follow in the paper-based testing, but the timeframe and number of questions differ from those in the IBT. Therefore, before beginning to prepare for the test, decide which mode to use, and make sure to review the requirements of the university you are applying to. A wrong choice will not only lead to a loss of time and money but may also require a person to prepare all over again due to the differences between the two.

In order to prepare for the test, study guides are widely available. You can visit your nearest bookshop to get your hands on a useful guidebook. Simultaneously, updated guides and practices are also available online. So, do not constrict your preparation, and explore as many resources as you can. Practice makes you better at handling test questions of all types. To maintain consistency with your pace of studying while not completely draining yourself, make a study routine. Chalk out how much you plan to cover each day and set a goal to achieve your daily target. It is wise to start the preparation at least a couple of months before the test. Initially, start slow and easy, and then gradually move up the scale. A well-planned preparation will help to avoid cramming and stressing right before the exam, which can pull down your confidence due to anxiety.

In addition to practicing English through books, it’s important to expose yourself to other forms of English. As the test aims to assess your daily level of communication in English, promptness in comprehension and response is imperative, besides grammatical accuracy. Watch documentaries or even short, value-adding clips on YouTube to practice passive learning. As far as speaking is concerned, there is no alternative to practice. One may stand before the mirror and speak to themselves. It may seem silly, but self-help is the best help! If a friend is also preparing for the same test, run practice sessions together. Don’t focus too much on the mistakes; we make mistakes even when speaking our native language. What’s important is staying on topic and articulating clearly and confidently with as much accuracy as possible. However, perfection cannot be measured, nor should it be the goal. Remember that the IBT requires candidates to speak into a microphone that records their voice and does not allow for live listening, necessitating some practice and technical checks.

To excel in the area of writing, time management is the key to success. While practicing, consistently track your time and strive to surpass it on subsequent attempts. To avoid mistakes, keep some extra time aside for revision and proofreading. Start taking notes while listening to help with the test. Be aware that the audio will play only once, like in other tests, and you’ll have to draw your information from there. Take notes on keywords and phrases to save time.

As far as the exam time and registration are concerned, it is advisable to pick a date approximately 2 to 3 months before the admission deadline so that there is adequate time for the results to come. The registrar receives score reports 4 to 16 business days after the test day. Candidates are required to select an area and time for the test, along with a preferred test location. We mark the tests out of 120, assigning 30 points to each section. Average scores range from 90 to 120 points. Anything above 100 points is considered well-performed. ETS pre-announces the exam timespan in each country. So, check well in advance not to miss a date. Depending on the type and mode, the exam fee ranges from $160 to $300, and online payments convert it to Bangladeshi taka based on the current exchange rate. Only Dhaka and Chittagong, in Bangladesh, host exams. Interested students from other parts of the country will need to choose one of these centers. During exam registration, keep a valid ID and contact details ready. Check your email regularly, as you can expect to receive correspondence as and when required.

Summing it up, the challenge lies in the process of understanding the test rather than taking the test itself. You should feel comfortable if you know what you’re doing and have your strategies in place. Once again, practice as extensively as possible, but do not overburden yourself. Embrace and enjoy learning. Think of all the amazing things waiting for you once you ace your test. Be vigilant about the test dates and other necessities. Just as I have shared in one of my previous writings on the SAT, do not consider the test score to be a measure of your intellect. The score is a mere representation of how well you performed on the test day. Therefore, aim high for a good score, but do not bet your entire credibility on it.

Have faith in your aspirations and strive to excel. Success is sure to come your way!