The Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL in abbreviated terms is an assessment and the evaluation of the strengths of an individual in using and assimilating English in an academic setting especially with respect to the American standards of learning. In India where most of the individuals are non-native speakers of English language, this test comes as a criteria of admission in to the universities in the US, Canada, Australia and other countries where English serves as a domain language.
Mostly institutions such as government agencies, licensing bodies, and business or scholarship programs make this test a mandatory one and a step one ladder for the same. The test-taker's writing, speech and listening skills are evaluated while appearing for TOEFL. It is one of the most important examinations that an individual has to clear for seeking admissions in foreign universities of US, UK, Canada, Australia etc.
The TOEFL exam is carried out by more than 6000 universities and 140 countries across the world and is conducted by the ETS or Education Based Testing, a trademark registered for the examination since the year 1964.
Some queries which most of the students especially the ones residing in India ask regarding this are:
i. Can I appear for TOEFL test while staying back in India?
In India we have an internet based test of TOEFL which widely known as 'TOEFL-iBT' and was launched in the year 2005 especially for Indian students who desired studying or working in such countries as America and Canada.
Although students appear for the test online directed from the ETS test centre in India, there are 45 test sessions conducted in a year, usually on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
ii. How different is this test from the ones conventionally held in other centres than the online ones?
TOEFL-iBT is an online test which is an integration of four kinds of skills for English mainly the reading, writing, speaking and listening. The range of difficulty remains the same as the conventional one. It is important to have good note taking skills here as the test -taker will have to comprehend the given pieces of writing to the conversations based on the same which then he will have to re-produce either orally or by answering them in a written pattern on the test-paper. The individual will also be assessed in his knowledge of grammar, gist, details, comprehension, vocabulary, references and inferences, insertion and other important features of the English language.
iii. What are the fees that an Indian student has to pay for the TOEFL-iBT?
In India the student has to pay US $ 165 which includes the cost of the score report and the four score recipient universities cost.
A 16 member board which formulates and governs the TOEFL program are affiliated with under-graduate or graduate schools, 2-year institutions, public or private agencies inclined towards international curriculum. The other board members are specialist linguists in the field of English language both as a foreign as well as a secondary one.