The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) measures the
ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand North American
English as it is spoken and written in college and university settings. Most
people who take the TOEFL® test are planning to study at colleges
and universities where the medium of instruction is English. In addition, many
government agencies, scholarship programs, and licensing / certification
agencies use TOEFL® scores to evaluate English proficiency.
Currently more than 4,400 colleges and universities, professional schools, and
sponsoring institutions accept TOEFL® scores.
The TOEFL® test measures English language proficiency in reading,
listening and writing and is offered on computer in most regions of the world.
In areas where access to computer-based testing is limited, a paper-and-pencil
version of the test is administered.
About TOEFL® iBT
Salient Features of the new Pattern of the Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL®) iBT
Educational Testing Service (ETS) has introduced a new version of the TOEFL®
Test. The most important change in the exam, now better known as the TOEFL®
iBT, is that the test would be conducted via the Internet. The major advantages
of this are:
The test can now be administered in a standardized manner
There would be more centers available for students to take the test in keeping
with the demand.
The TOEFL® iBT is an exam that is aimed at testing the students on
their skills in English usage. The test is structured in such a manner so as to
ensure that there is a match between the actual environment the test taker
would face and the students’ skills. The new test pattern focuses on all round
communication skills.