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| - | The '''Test of English as a Foreign Language''' or '''TOEFL''' evaluates the potential success of an individual to use and understand standard American English at a college level. It is required for non-native applicants at many English-speaking colleges and universities. A TOEFL score is valid for two years and must be re-taken if needed at a later date.
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| - | Many countries use [[IELTS]] (International English Language Testing System) instead of TOEFL.
| + | This wiki has moved to <font style="font-size:150%">'''http://www.foreignliving.info'''</font>. Please update your bookmarks. |
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| - | ==Test Format==
| + | You can locate the current page under the same categories on the new site. In case of problems, email help[[image:at_black.png]]foreignliving.info. |
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| - | ===Internet-based===
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| - | Since its introduction in late 2005, the '''Internet-based test (iBT)''' has progressively replaced both the [[#computer-based|computer-based]] (CBT) and paper-based (PBT) tests. The iBT 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.
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| - | The demand for test seats remains very high even after almost a year after the introduction of the test: Candidates have to wait for months since short-term test dates are fully booked. The four-hour test consists of four sections, each measuring mainly one of the basic language skills (although some tasks may require multiple skills) and focusing on language used in an academic, higher-education environment. Note-taking is allowed in the iBT.
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| - | #'''Reading'''
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| - | #:After each academic reading passage (out of 3–5), questions are posed about content, intent of the author, and ideas inferred from the passage. New types of questions in the iBT require paraphrasing, filling out tables, or completing summaries. Generally prior knowledge of the subject under discussion is not necessary to come to the correct answer, though ''a priori'' knowledge may help.
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| - | #'''Listening'''
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| - | #:Questions refer to the content and intent of the phrases, as well as to the speakers' attitude and meaning, either in short conversations or in lectures.
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| - | #'''Speaking'''
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| - | #:New to the iBT, this section contains questions relating to personal experiences or preferences, as well as tasks that also involve reading passages and listening to short conversations and lectures. Test takers are expected to convey information, explain ideas, and defend opinions clearly, coherently, and accurately.
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| - | #'''Writing'''
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| - | #:One task requires test takers to defend a position relative to a specified general topic. In the other task, a reading passage and a lecture are presented, and test takers must answer a question relating the main points of both the passage and the lecture.
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| - | (Detailed descriptions and samples are available [http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc3921509/?vgnextoid=f0dc01c203d95010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=ab16197a484f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD at the official website].)
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| - | ===Computer-based===
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| - | The '''computer-based test (CBT)''' was abolished on September 30, 2006. It is divided into four sections, measuring language proficiency in listening, structure (grammar), reading and writing. Note-taking is ''not'' allowed.
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| - | #'''Listening Comprehension''' (45–70 minutes)
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| - | #*'''Type of Questions''': Conversations between two or more people in academic environments. Short conversations between students and lectures may be possible conversations. Questions are basically of the ''who said what'' type.
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| - | #'''Structure''' (grammar) (15–20 minutes)
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| - | #*'''Type of Questions''': Identify the erroneous word(s) in the sentence. Fill in the blanks using the appropriate word.
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| - | #'''Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary''' (70-90 minutes)
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| - | #*'''Type of Question''': Questions are posed about content, intent of the author, and ideas inferred from each of the 3–4 passages given.
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| - | #'''Essay Writing''' (30 minutes)
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| - | #*'''Type of Question''': To write an essay on a given general topic and take a position toward it, e.g., "Is stem cell research necessary? Explain your stance."
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| - | The Listening and Structure sections are computer-adaptive, meaning that the difficulty level of each question depends on the correctness of previous responses.
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| - | Three subscores are obtained, each of which is given on a 0–30 scale: Listening, Structure/Writing (combined), and Reading. These subscores are averaged to obtain the final score, which is on a 0–300 scale. The Writing score is reported separately, on a 0–6 scale.
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| - | ===Advice from Sudipta Chatterjee's Blog ([http://sudiptachatterjee.blogspot.com/2005/08/scored-240-297-range-on-toefl.html weblink])===
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| - | First of all, it is very easy. Please don't be tensed or imagine something about it --- if you can clear a Class VII English question paper on Grammar, you can clear almost everything. The RCs are damn easy... Class VII- VIII standard, believe me. And the best part is that you can go back and double-check your answers. If you write correct English, I think you should get 90% of the Structure correct as well. If not, maybe a little brushing up from Wren and Martin or a daily dose of some newspaper (not necessarily the Editorial section) should help.
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| - | For the Listening section, I'd advise you to watch some English movies, preferably the ones made in the UK, because their accent is clearer and that is what it sounds like (at least according to me) on the test sections. Any favourite movies? Well, you could start with the Matrix Trilogy Finally, about the essays. Well, practice, once again, please. And better get hold of some good phrases, some real mushy-gushy and good English. I think they appreciate clarity and lucidity in the essays... so please just chug along, I'd say. Anyway here they are not testing your analytical skills... they just want to see your English.
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| - | Now, about the books. Honestly, I did not buy a single book for the test. There are great online resources, and I'll resend my set of bookmarks for you here. I even had some good listening material here:
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| - | (Please remove broken links from the list if you find any)
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| - | *[https://www.xap.com/ Xap Student Center]
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| - | *[http://www.number2.com/index.cfm?s=15GMixHsZb157257 ACT, GRE, SAT, Free Test Prep from Number2.com (with Number2.com Redesign).]
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| - | *[http://www.sindhuworld.com/ Sindhu World Enterprises]
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| - | *[http://www.geocities.com/grematerials/ http://www.geocities.com/grematerials/]
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| - | *[http://www.computerbasedtest.com/tip.html ComputerBasedTest.com - GMAT GRE TOEFL tips materials helps links, Computer-based test, CBT, computer-adaptive test, Computer based test, CAT, ESL, EFL, EnglishMaster, computer-based TOEFL, computer-based GRE, computer-based GMAT, preparation, guide, information, materials, practice, question, examinations, answer, explanation, free, download, software, listening, structure, grammar, reading, writing, verbal, quantitative, analytical, issue, argument, essay, pool]
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| - | *[http://www.gre-test-preparation.com/ GRE Test Preparation software practice test]
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| - | *[http://www.gre-secrets.com/ GRE Secrets- Raise your GRE test score with our GRE test prep study guide]
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| - | *[http://gradmentor.placementor.com/ GRE Test preparation software - GradMentor]
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| - | *[http://www.computerbasedtest.com/ ComputerBasedTest.com - TOEFL preparation, GRE preparation, GMAT preparation, free TOEFL materials, free GRE materials, free GMAT materials, TOEFL GRE *[ GMAT practice samples, TOEFL GRE GMAT score teach course, computer based test, CBT, computer adaptive test, CAT, English Master, ESL, EFL, EnglishMaster, guide, information, materials, practice, question, examinations, answer, explanation, listening, structure, grammar, reading, writing, verbal, quantitative, analytical, issue, argument, essay, pool ESL/EFL and GRE/GMAT communities]
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| - | *[http://www.yamanoor.com/ Yamanoor.com]
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| - | *[http://www.petersons.com/ Peterson's Education Portal¨CCollege, Graduate Program, Test preparation, SAT, Scholarship, Financial Aid, Distance Learning]
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| - | *[http://www.testmagic.com/ TestMagic - Free GMAT, GRE, SAT Test, TOEFL practice]
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| - | *[http://www.edulix.com/ Edulix]
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| - | *[http://www.smic.be/smic5022/ English Exercises Online]
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| - | *[http://www.grebible.com/index.html Gre Bible - Pellucid Learning Systems.Download Free Gre Study KIts Practice tests, Vocabulary, Essays Download, Free Gre Material, Vocabulary Word lists]
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| - | *[http://www.testprepcenter.com/gre/index.php Beat the GRE system with this GRE Test Prep package!]
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| - | *[http://www.geocities.com/dearjasons/the_gre_test.htm THE GRE TEST]
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| - | *[http://www.wayabroad.com/twe/ Online TOEFL TWE GRE GMAT AWA Writing Centre]
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| - | *[http://www.wayabroad.com/chinese/twe/essays/todaystopic.cfm Today's TOEFL Essay Samples]
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| - | *[http://www.free-toefl.com/ Free TOEFL Preparation Exams, TOEFL Test, and Lessons]
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| - | *[http://www.testmagic.com/gre/ GRE Test Information :: TestMagic]
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| - | *[http://www.confusingwords.com/ Confusing Words]
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| - | *[http://phrontistery.info/index.html The Phrontistery: Obscure Words and Vocabulary Resources]
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| - | *[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/eslstudent.html ESL Resources for Students]
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| - | *[http://www.prep4exams.com/aboutexams.html Prep4Exams Portal - Prep4exams Methodology]
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| - | *[http://gre2visa.95mb.com/ GRE 2 VISA]
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| - | *[http://www.studybeans.com/gre/ Taking the GRE Test (StudyBeans)]
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| - | *[http://www.road2abroad.com/ Road2abroad Univresity listings USA, Australia, Canada, Uk VISA season info]
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| - | *[http://www.downdowndown.net/ TOEFL×ÊÁÏÏÂÔØ]
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| - | *[http://www.testmagic.com/ TestMagic - Free GMAT, GRE, SAT Test, TOEFL practice]
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| - | *[http://www.gre.org/practice_test/index.html? GRE Practice Test Questions]
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| - | *[http://www.jstor.org/ JSTOR - The Scholarly Journal Archive]
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| - | *[http://www.majortests.com www.majortests.com]
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| - | ==Recommended Books==
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| - | The test is so easy that you don't really need a book as badly as you would for SAT or GRE, but a helpful list follows. Use link below to order online, or to get details on the book to look for it in your local bookstore:
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| - | * [http://www.amazon.com/Barrons-TOEFL-Internet-Based-2006-2007-CD-ROM/dp/0764179055/sr=1-1/qid=1169757594/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7427571-5609649?ie=UTF8&s=books Barron's TOEFL iBT Internet-Based Test]
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| - | ==External Links==
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| - | * [http://www.toefl.org Official website]
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You can locate the current page under the same categories on the new site. In case of problems, email help
foreignliving.info.
foreignliving.info.
