Petersons.com: TOEFL Test Prep

TOEFL Test Preparation

About the TOEFL
Until 1998, the TOEFL was available throughout the world as a paper-based test. In July 1998 ETS introduced the computer-based TOEFL in the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and selected Asian countries. The TOEFL is now administered only as a computer-based test in these countries. More countries will be phased in over a three-year period. Once the computer-based test is introduced in a country, the paper-based test will no longer be available. According to ETS, the computer-based test will completely replace the paper test by 2001.

Contact Information

Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6155
Princeton, NJ 08541
Phone: (609) 771-7100
Fax: (609) 771-7500
e-mail: toefl@ets.org
http://www.toefl.org/

The Computer-Based TOEFL
Some parts of the TOEFL are a linear computerized test which is scored the same way as a paper test. Other parts of the TOEFL are a computer-adaptive test (CAT). A computer-adaptive test or CAT is--as the title says--adaptive. That means that each time you answer a question, the computer adjusts to your responses when determining which question to present next. For example, the first question will be of moderate difficulty. If you answer it correctly, the next question will be more difficult. If you answer it incorrectly, the next question will be easier. The computer will continue presenting questions based on your responses, with the goal of determining your ability level.

You need only minimal computer skills to take the computer-based TOEFL. You will have plenty of time at the test center to work through a tutorial that allows you to practice such activities as answering questions, using the mouse, using the word processor (which you will need for your essay responses), and accessing the help function. The Computer-Based TOEFL is administered at computerized test centers at designated universities, ETS field offices, and at Sylvan Technology Centers around the world.

Paper-Based Test Dates

The TOEFL is offered on computer by appointment many times each month at hundreds of locations.

In 1999-2000,
the paper-based
TOEFL test will be administered in the following countries:

• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Cambodia
• Hong Kong
• India
• Japan
• Korea
• Laos
• Macau
• Myanmar
• Pakistan
• People's Republic
of China
• Thailand
• Taiwan
• Vietnam

* The Test of Written English (TWE) will be given with the paper-based TOEFL at the August, October, December, February, and May administrations.

TOEFL Test Structure
The Paper-Based TOEFL	Computer-Based TOEFL format
Section 1: Listening Comprehension 30 minutes Part A: Dialogs -- 30 items Part B: Extended Conversations (2 conversations) -- 7-8 items Part C: Mini-Talks (3 talks) -- 12-13 items Section 2: Structure and Written Expression 25 minutes Structure (Sentence Completion) -- 15 items Written Expression (Error Identification) -- 25 items Section 3: Reading Comprehension 55 minutes 5-6 Passages -- 50 items	Section 1: Listening Comprehension CAT -- 40-60 minutes (not including time spent listening) Part A:Short Conversations -- 11-17 items Part B: Longer Conversations and Talks (4-6 conversations/talks) -- 3-6 items per conversation/talk Section 2: Structure (Sentence Completion/Error Recognition) CAT -- 15-20 minutes 20-25 items Section 3: Reading Comprehension (Linear) 70-90 minutes -- 44-60items