The internet-base TOEF(iBT) :
The TOEFL(iBT) (Internet-base test) tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: reading, speaking, listening, and writing. The test helps students demonstrate that they have English skills needed for success.
Most people take the TOEFL test as a prerequisite for admission into colleges and universities where English is used or required. In addition, many government, licensing, and certification agencies and exchange and scholarship programs use TOEFL scores to evaluate the English proficiency of people for whom English is not their native language.
TOEFL on Computer
The TOEFL test was introduced as a computer-based test in July 1998 in many parts of the world. It combines many of the same question types as the traditional paper-based test with new question types that can be offered only on the computer.
The Four Sections of the Test
The computer-based TOEFL test has four sections. The first two sections of the test -- Listening and Structure -- are computer-adaptive, meaning that you will receive test questions targeted to your performance level. In these two sections, your first question will be of average difficulty. The question you receive next will be one that best fits your performance and the design of the test. In the Listening and Structure sections, you will be able to change your answer as often as you like until you have made your final choice, confirmed your answer, and moved on to the next one. Once you move on to the next question, you will NOT be allowed to go back to a previous question. Your answer to each question presented on the screen helps determine the difficulty level of the next question you will be given. You must answer at least one question in each section and compose an essay to receive an official score report.
Listening
Measures ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America.
You will use headphones to listen to the conversations and talks. While you are listening, pictures of the speakers or other information will be presented on your computer screen. There are two parts to the Listening section, with special directions for each part.
On the day of the test, the amount of time you will have to answer all the questions will appear on the computer screen. The time you spend listening to the test material will not be counted. The listening material and questions about it will be presented only one time. You will not be allowed to take notes or have any paper at your computer. You will both see and hear the questions before the answer choices appear. You can take as much time as you need to select an answer; however, it will be to your advantage to answer the questions as quickly as possible. You may change your answer as many times as you want before you confirm it. After you have confirmed an answer, you will not be able to return to the questions.
Before you begin working on the Listening section, you will have an opportunity to adjust the sound. You will be able to change the volume on your headset.
Structure
Measures ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard written English.
There are two types of questions in this section. The first type consists of incomplete sentences. Beneath each sentence are four words or phrases. You will choose the one word or phrase that best completes the sentence.
The second type of question has four underlined words or phrases. You will choose the one underlined word or phrase that must be changed for the sentence to be correct.
Reading
Measures ability to read and understand short passages similar in topic and style to those that students are likely to encounter in North American universities and colleges. This section contains reading passages and questions about the passages.
Because the selection of these passages and questions will not be based on your performance, you will be allowed to go back to previous questions within this section.
Writing
Measures ability to write in English on an assigned topic. In this section, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to write in English. This includes the ability to generate and organize ideas, to support those ideas with examples or evidence, and to compose in standard written English in response to an assigned topic.
On the day of the test, you will be given a topic and will have 30 minutes to write an essay on that topic. Before the topic is presented, you must choose whether to type your essay on the computer or to handwrite your essay on the answer sheet provided.
Scratch paper will be given to you for making notes. However, only your response -- whether handwritten or typed -- will be scored. The essay topic will be presented to you on the computer screen.
For more detail: www.tofel.org
