The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) evaluates the potential success of an individual to use and understand academic English at a college level, the test was initially developed to measure the English proficiency of international students wishing to study at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and this continues to be its primary function.  Additionally, institutions such as government agencies, businesses, or scholarship programs may require this test.

The TOEFL test is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is administered in 180 countries at more than 1275 test sites.

A TOEFL score is valid for two years and then is deleted from the official database. Colleges and universities usually consider only the most recent TOEFL score.

Some Benefits of TOEFL test

TOFEL unlike other tests focuses more on soft skills of test taker where he will be able to develop the effective communication which will be useful for the students throughout their career, and also gives enough knowledge, confidence to participate in other tests. It tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication:  Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. It will be delivered via the Internet in secure test centers around the world

Some tasks require test takers to combine more than one skill; these integrated tasks in the test help learners build confidence needed to communicate in the academic environments

Regardless to the place where you want to study, TOEFL test enables you to reach your dream destination; depending on the test score will be eligible to get admission in college or university anywhere in the world.

There is much flexibility in performing a TOEFL test whenever you want to take. You will be offered practice tools and feedback, and many amenities such as  listening to lectures, view films, attend seminars, read textbooks, perform online research, speak with professors and other students, write academic papers, reports, e-mails and more alternatives to study abroad than any other English-language test in the world

The TOEFL test gives you more flexibility on when, where and how often you can take the test, and more than any other English-language test in the world. The entire test is taken in one day, which saves you travel time and costs. And, there are more than 4,000 test centers to choose from. You can retake the test in just 7 days, if you want to improve your scores.

The four-hour test consists of four sections, each measuring mainly one of the basic language skills (although some tasks may require multiple skills) focusing on language used in an academic, and higher-education environment. Note-taking is allowed during the iBT.

Reading

The reading section consists of 3–5 long passages and questions about the passages. The passages are on academic topics; Students answer questions about main ideas, details, inferences, sentence restatements, sentence insertion, vocabulary, function and overall ideas. New types of questions in the iBT require paraphrasing, filling out tables, or completing summaries. Generally prior knowledge of the subject under discussion is not necessary to come to the correct answer, though prior knowledge may help.

Listening

It consists of six long passages and questions about the passages. The passages consist of two student conversations and four academic lectures or discussions. The questions ask the students to determine main ideas, details, function, stance, inferences, and overall organization. This module mainly determines the proficiency of understanding the English since it is used in the colleges and universities.

Speaking

This module is to determine the proficiency of speaking in English, Test takers are expected to convey information, explain ideas, and defend opinions clearly, coherently, and accurately. It consists of six tasks (two independent tasks and four integrated tasks). In the two independent tasks, students must answer opinion questions about some aspect of academic life. In two integrated reading, listening, and speaking tasks, students must read a passage, listen to a passage, and speak about how the ideas in the two passages are related. In two integrated listening and speaking tasks, students must listen to long passages and then summarize and offer opinions on the information in the passages

Writing

This module is to determine the proficiency of writing. The Writing Section consists of two tasks, one integrated task and one independent task. In the integrated task, students must read an academic passage, listen to an academic passage, and write about how the ideas in the two passages are related. In the independent task, students must write a personal essay.

Scores

To view the 6000+ schools and universities in 110 countries which accept TOEFL scores please Click Here (URL: http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/univ0708.pdf)

For detailed information on test dates and centers you may log on to www.toefl.org