Question and about TOEFL

TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. The test is designed to measure the English proficiency of non-English speaking people and is divided into three sections. The test is timed for each section and uses multiple-choice questions with four possible choices for each question.

Beginning July 1995 the test of TOEFL will NO longer use:

• Single sentences in Listening Comprehension Section, Part A
• A subsection for vocabulary questions in the Reading Comprehension Section 

You probably know that a growing number of universities and colleges offer courses and academic study programs in English so if you want to enrol in one of them you must have a good command of the English language. This is where the TOEFL comes into play. It is the most widely used academic English proficiency test in the world. Thousands of colleges and universities use the TOEFL to test and evaluate the English language competency of their students and academic personnel. 

In addition, many government agencies, sponsoring institutions and other authorities require TOEFL scores. 

The TOEFL test measures English language proficiency in these three disciplines: reading, listening and writing. In most regions of the world you can take the TOEFL on a computer (CBT: Computer-Based Test) somewhere near your home. In areas with limited access to computer-based testing facilities you can take a paper-and-pencil version of the test.

Section 1 Listening Comprehension

This section evaluates your understanding of spoken English in North America. This section has three parts. You will have 35 minutes to answer 50 questions.

1.      Part A     30 questions

2.      Part B     8 questions

3.      Part C     12 questions 

Section 2 Structure and Written Expression

This section tests your understanding of the structure and usage of standard English grammar. This section is divided into two parts. You will have 25 minutes to answer 40 questions

1.      Part A     15 questions

2.      Part B     25 questions 

Section 3 Reading Comprehension

This section measures your understanding of reading passages with academic contents. You will have 55 minutes to answer 50 questions.

How much does the TOEFL test cost?

The fee for the Friday Testing Program (the Special Center TOEFL) is currently US $45.

The fee for the Saturday Testing Program (the International TOEFL) is currently US $38.

The test material for Friday and Saturday Testing Programs is identical, but the Friday Testing Program is more expensive due to the rental cost for the testing center.

All TOEFL fees are subject to change without notice.

How often is the TOEFL test given?

The TOEFL test is administered 12 times a year; in other words, once a month, either on Friday or Saturday.

What is the Institutional TOEFL ?

The Institutional TOEFL is administered by colleges and universities. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) sends the test materials which have been used either on the Friday Testing Program or the Saturday Testing Program to the college or university that administers the test. The college or university that administers the test uses the test score for the placement of the students who wish to enroll in an English as a Second Language (ESL) program or for admission purposes into the college or university regular programs. Other institutions, however, do not consider the Institutional TOEFL test results valid for admission to their own ESL or regular programs. The fee for the Institutional TOEFL varies. Some institutions charge US $30 for the test.

What is the passing score for TOEFL?

Although there is no passing or failing score for TOEFL, generally a score of 400 is considered low and a score of 600 or above excellent. Each college, university, or institution has its own TOEFL score admission requirement. The score required varies depending on the field of study (non-technical or technical) and the program (two-year, undergraduate or graduate) for which you are applying. A score of 400 or above for a two-year program, 500 or above for an undergraduate program, and 550 or above for a graduate program is generally required.

Comment :

Test of English as a Foreign Language yang  disingkat dan biasa dikenal dengan istilah TOEFL, merupakan ujian kemampuan berbahasa Inggris yang dikembangkan di Pusat Linguistik terapan dan di pimpin oleh ahli bahasa, Dr Charles A. Ferguson pada tahun 1964. Seiring dengan perkembangannya hingga saat ini tes TOEFL tersebut tidak hanya dipakai untuk tes persyaratan masuk kuliah diseluruh Universitas di Amerika saja, namun tes ini di pakai juga di sebagian perusahaan di Indonesia untuk syarat menjadi karyawan pada perusahaan tersebut.

Dengan demikian, seharusnya penguasaan kita terhadap kemampuan membaca, mendengar, menulis, serta berbica dalam berbahasa inggris di tingkatkan kembali dan dibiasakan dalam kehidupan sehari-hari, karena mengingat juga  bahwa bahasa inggris merupakan bahasa internasional yang merupakan bahasa pemersatu dalam dunia internasional. Dengan meningkatkan kemampuan kita dalam berbahasa inggris, akan menciptakan SDM yang berkualitas dan mampu bersaing dengan masyarakat luas,baik masyarakat dalam negeri maupun masyarakat luar negeri khususnya, yang telah merambak di negeri kita tercinta saat ini.