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Information on TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is administered by the Educational Testing Service Ltd. (ETS)

TOEFL assesses students’ ability to understand and write North American English. It was initially developed to measure the English proficiency of international students (whose native language is not English) wishing to study at US and Canadian colleges and universities. In light of this, its testing format is heavily weighted to multiple choice, suiting the American University examining system.

Some selectors feel that TOEFL does not give an overall picture of the candidates language ability in all skill areas: the paper-based test does not include a written or speaking assessment.

TOEFL globally disenfranchised all their local test centres in the late nineties, and TOEFL tests are now only offered by a commercial company in regional centres in London, Glasgow and Swanage. TOEFL are gradually replacing this paper-based test with a computer based test. (See the comparative table below).

Exam content

Paper-Based Test
Computer-Based Test

How is the test scored?
 Paper-Based Test: Scores range from 310-677
Computer-Based Test: Scores range from 0-300

What is Cardiff University’s entry requirement?
Paper-Based Test: A minimum of 550, 570 or 600 - An offer may be made conditional on a Pre-University Language Course
Computer-Based Test: A minimum of 213, 230 or 250 - but it is recommended the offer is made conditional on a Pre-University Language Course

What does the exam test?
 Paper-Based Test:

  • Listening and Comprehension
    Questions are recorded in standard North American English. They include short conversations, and talks up to 2 minutes in length (general factual content).
  • Structure and Written Expression
     Assesses selected structural and grammatical points of standard written English. The candidate must recognise incorrect structures, or select the most appropriate answer for incomplete sentences. Questions are in a formal academic rather than conversational style.
  • Reading Comprehension
    Assesses the candidate’s comprehension of factual information presented in short passages. The passages imitate academic styles and subjects. Now Mandatory. The score appears on the results certificate but is not part of the overall score.

Computer-Based Test:

  • Listening skills
     We presume the computer tests will follow a similar format. 
  • Writing (essay)
     Tests ability to produce an essay, and organise and support ideas using conventions of standard English. 

What supplementary tests are available?
 TOEFL offer the Test of Spoken English (TSE), although this is not a compulsory section of the test. TSE assesses the ability to communicate orally in English (pronunciation, grammar skills). TOEFL stress that the score should not be interpreted as a predictor of academic or professional ability, but used in conjunction with other information.

How is the test administered?
Paper-Based test: Test book and answer sheet
Computer-Based Test: On a computer with headsets

Where is the test taken?
 Paper-Based Test: In a classroom or exam hall at local test centres
Computer-Based Test: At individual testing stations in regional test centres (London, Glasgow and Swanage) run by a commercial company.

What is the cost to the candidate?
Paper-Based Test: $75
Computer-Based Test: $100

What kind of questions are there?
 Paper-Based Test:  All the questions are multiple choice. The candidate has a choice of 4 answers.
Computer-Based Test:  Question types vary

How are the test results reported?
 Paper-Based Test:  The result is posted to the candidate 5 weeks after the test.
Computer-Based Test: An unofficial score is given to student as soon as they finish the test. An official score is posted two weeks later, once the essay has been marked. Students may supply two test results; one provisional, one official.

Comparison of paper-based and computerised TOEFL Scores

Paper          Computer
677              300
650              280
 647              277
643              273
640              273
630              267
627              263
620              260
610              253
600              250
590              243 
580              237
570              230
560              220
550              213
540              207
537              203
533              200
530              197
520              190
510              180
500              173
 490              163
480              157
470              150
460              140
450              133
 457              137
443              127
440              123 
430              117
420              110
410              103  
400              97 
 390              90
380              83
370              70
367              73
363              73
360              70
350              63
 340              60 
330              53
320              47 
310              40

This chart is taken from the information provided by the University of Sheffield, English Language Teaching Centre.

More information about TOEFL can be found at:

http://www.toefl.org/
(This contains a lot of detailed information on the various tests, their content and format)
e-mail: toefl@ets.org
Tel: TOEFL Services (USA) 1-609-771-7100. (You can request to be added to their mailing list.)