Your TOEFL Guide

From UCLA to Harvard, from Arizona State to NEU, you’ll find that most American universities will want to see proof of your English abilities as part of the admissions process. Even if you’re planning on a short-term study abroad journey to the States, your English abilities will still be absolutely essential. The Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL, is taken by many prospective students. A high score can help them get into the colleges they choose, while a low score may necessitate further language instruction or restrict alternatives by lowering the number of institutions that will accept them.

- What is the TOEFL exam?
Accepted at more than 11,000 institutions around the globe, a variation of the TOEFL test has been administered since 1965 through Educational Testing Service, a private nonprofit organization. It was first designed as a paper-based test, but in 1998 it switched to a computer-based format, and in 2005 it became an internet-based test known as the TOEFL iBT. Despite being internet-based, the TOEFL iBT must be taken in person in a testing facility that has been approved by ETS.

The TOEFL has four parts: reading, listening, speaking and writing. You can check a detailed guide on how to prepare for TOEFL here: https://yocket.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-toefl

The TOEFL iBT exam fee in India for 2022 is US$ 190 and about INR 14,197.44 considering (US $1 = INR 74.72)

- How is TOEFL scored?
The TOEFL has four portions, each of which is worth 30 points. The test is evaluated by ETS using both automated scoring techniques and human graders. The speaking and writing portions are evaluated by human raters, however the reading and listening sections are graded by automated systems because there is only one correct response to each question.

While a test taker's maximum TOEFL iBT score is 120, each university determines what minimal score they will accept. Elite universities put the bar at 100 and above while some colleges and institutions accept applicants with significantly lower test scores.

- TOEFL Results
According to the ETS website, TOEFL scores are valid for two years. The test can be taken an unlimited number of times in an effort to improve the outcome, but only once per three-day period. It typically takes six to 10 days to receive TOEFL test results following the exam, although unofficial scores for listening and reading will appear on the screen at the end of the test. Users can log in to their account around 10 days after they complete the iBT to check their scores, while printed reports are mailed within 11 days of the test date.


- Here’s some sources you can refer to for preparation of the TOEFL exam.
1) You can find some helpful resources to practice for TOEFL here: https://yocket.com/blog/toefl-practice-tests-sample-papers

2) Understand the marking system of TOEFL here: https://yocket.com/blog/toefl-scores

3) And here are some strategies to help you prepare: https://yocket.com/blog/toefl-preparation


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