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/ Guides / Testing / TOEFL Orientation Information:

TOEFL ORIENTATION INFORMATION
Test of English as a Foreign Language

It tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Some questions require test takers to combine more than one skill: To succeed academically in English-speaking colleges and universities, students need to be able to combine their language skills in the classroom. Integrated questions, or “tasks,” in the new test will help learners build the skills and confidence needed to communicate effectively in the academic environments they plan to enter. The new integrated tasks will ask test takers to

read, listen, and then speak in response to a question
listen and then speak in response to a question
read, listen, and then write in response to a question

The new TOEFL test includes a Speaking section. This section includes six tasks, and test takers wear headphones and speak into a microphone when they respond. The responses are digitally recorded and transmitted to ETS’s Online Scoring Network where human scorers rate them. The scorers are carefully monitored for accuracy, so test takers and score recipients can be assured of the reliability of the Speaking scores.

The Writing section has been expanded. The new test requires test takers to write a response to material they have heard and read, and to compose an essay in support of an opinion. Human scorers also rate the responses to the Writing tasks via ETS’s Online Scoring Network.

The new test is about 4 hours long. All sections will be completed in one day, so there is no need to travel to the test center twice.

Note taking is allowed. Test takers can take notes throughout the test.

The new scores help to explain the test taker’s English language ability. ETS provides comprehensive scoring information that will include scores for four skills and a total score. Competency descriptors for each skill and level are available at www.ets.org/toefl and in our publications. These descriptors help to explain what the new scores mean. In addition, test takers will receive helpful performance feedback on their score reports.

The new scores are eported online. Beginning in September 2005, test takers are able to view scores online 15 business days after the test, as well as receive a copy of their score report by mail. Colleges and universities are able to view online scores.

How does the new Internet-based TOEFL compare with the computer-based and paper-based versions of the test?

	INTERNET-BASED TEST (iBT)	COMPUTER-BASED TEST (CBT)	PAPER-BASED TEST (PBT)
SKILLS TESTED	Listening Speaking Reading Writing	Listening Structure (Grammar) Reading Writing	Listening Structure (Grammar) Reading Writing
TEST TIME	4 hours	3,5 hours	3 hours
INTEGRATED TASKS	Yes	No	No
NOTE TAKING	Yes	No	No
COMPUTER TUTORIALS	Instructions for answering questions are given within each section; there is no computer tutorial.	A computer tutorial and instructions for answering questions are provided before the test.	Not applicable
COMPUTER ADAPTIVE	Not computer adaptive. Each test taker receives the same range of questions in any given form of the test.	Listening and Structure are computer adaptive. Reading and Writing are not.	Not applicable
LISTENING	4 – 6 lectures, some with classroom discussion - each 3 – 5 minutes long, 6 questions each 2 – 3 conversations - each 3 minutes long, 5 questions each Introduction of additional native English accents Time: 60 – 90 minutes Score scale: 0 – 30 What’s different? Longer, more authentic conversations and lectures Note taking allowed New questions that measure understanding of a speaker’s attitude, degree of certainty, purpose, or motivation	11 – 17 dialogues - 1 question each 2 – 3 short conversations - each up to 1 minute long, 2 - 3 questions each 4 – 6 mini-lectures and discussions - each up to 2 minutes long, 3 – 6 questions each Time: 40 – 60 minutes Score scale: 0 – 30	3 – 4 mini-talks - each 60 – 90 seconds long, 3 – 5 questions each 2 – 3 extended conversations each 60 – 90 seconds long, 3 – 5 questions each 30 – 40 dialogues - each 5 – 15 seconds long, 1 question each Time: 30 – 40 minutes Score scale: 31 – 68
SPEAKING	6 tasks 2 independent tasks – express an opinion on a familiar topic 4 integrated tasks – speak based on what is read and heard Up to 30 seconds to prepare the response Up to 1 minute to respond Time: 20 minutes Score scale: 0 – 4 points; total of ratings converted to 0 – 30 score scale What’s different? Everything – it’s a brand new section!	None	None
READING	3 – 5 passages from academic texts Approximately 700 words long Includes multiple-focus passages (compare/contrast, cause/effect) 12 – 14 questions for each passage Time: 60 – 100 minutes Score scale: 0 – 30 What’s different? Glossary to define key words; easy-to-use review feature New task – categorize information and fill in chart/complete summary	4 – 5 passages from academic texts 250 – 350 words long 11 questions per passage Time: 70 – 90 minutes Score scale: 0 – 30	5 passages from academic texts 250 – 350 words long 10 questions per passage Time: 55 minutes Score scale: 31 – 67
WRITING	2 tasks - 1 integrated task – write based on what is read and heard Time: 50 minutes (20 minutes for integrated task and 30 minutes for independent task) Score scale: 0 – 5 points; total of ratings converted to 0 – 30 score scale What’s different? Integrated task 0 – 5 points Typing required	1 independent task – support an opinion on a topic Time: 30 minutes Score scale: 0 – 6 points; combined with Structure and converted to score scale of 0-30	1 independent task (Test of Written English) Rating: 0 – 6 points, reported separately on score report Time: 30 minutes Handwriting only
STRUCTURE (GRAMMAR)	No grammar section, although grammar is evaluated in Speaking and Writing responses.	20 – 25 questions Time: 15 – 20 minutes Score scale: score combined with Writing section score (see above)	40 questions Time: 25 minutes Score scale: 31 – 68
TOTAL SCORE	0 – 120	0 - 300	311 - 677
COMPETENCY DESCRIPTORS	Yes. They describe performance at major score points	No	No

More information on the TOEFL test is available at: www.toefl.org


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