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iBT TOEFL

iBT TOEFL

A new, Internet-based version of the TOEFL® test will be phased in beginning September 2005.
It will be introduced in the United States in September, followed by administrations in Canada, France, Germany, and Italy in October. It will be offered in the rest of the world in 2006. To find out when the test will be available in your country, visit www.ets.org/toefl/nextgen/timeline.html.

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 will be reported online.
Beginning in September 2005, test takers will be 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 will be able to view online scores starting in 2006, but they will continue to receive scores via their current method of delivery.

Test locations
TOEFL iBT has been introduced in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Puerto Rico. The second phase of the rollout begins on March 25, when test centers in selected cities in Africa, the Americas, Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East, and North Africa will offer TOEFL iBT for the first time. If the internet-based version is implemented it will substitute all other versions. Test locations can be found on the ETS website at the index card Registration/Test Centers. There are a lot of test locations in several countries and new test locations are added daily. It is recommended to check the website regularly for latest information.

iBT Test Dates (December, 2008 - June 2009)
The dates shown below apply only to the CalUMS Test location.

Please note that the dates shown above are often fully booked within a short period of time. We strongly advise that interested students register early, e.g., at least 1-2 months prior to exam date, to ensure attendance to the above dates.

Registration & Fees

Online
You can now register up to seven days before the exam date.
The fastest way to register is online at the iBT TOEFL website .

By phone
Call your Regional Registration Center (RRC) to schedule your appointment. You will be asked to pay by a credit card. The operator will give you the appointment confirmation number, test date and time and test center address. Check the chart below to find the telephone number for your geographic location;

United States, Canada, or U.S. Territories*	1-800-GO-TOEFL (1-800-468-6335)
Outside the United States, Canada, or U.S. Territories*	Call your Regional Registration Center (PDF)
If you want to test in Orange County, please call CalUMS.	1-714-533-3946 , Ext. 21

TOEFL Fees

Item Fees (as of July 1, 2005)
TOEFL Internet-Based Test (includes 1 examinee score record and 4 score reports sent to institutions designated when you register)	$140 (U.S.)
Rescheduling Fee	$40 (U.S.)
Reinstatement of Canceled iBT Scores	$20 (U.S.)
Additional Score Report Requests (per recipient)	$17 (U.S.)
Reinstatement of Canceled iBT Scores	$20 (U.S.)
Fee for Returned Check	$20 (U.S.)

Preferred Forms of Payment
- Credit card (required for online registration) - American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, or VISA
- Electronic check (e-check) - drawn on a U.S.-based bank
- Check in U.S. dollars or any other acceptable currency listed below, made payable to "ETS-TOEFL iBT."
- Money order

Test Summary

Section Time Format Topics tested Problem Types
Reading Comprehension	60	3 passages, 12-14 questions per passage	Reading comprehension, vocabulary, language usage	Reading passages followed by a series of questions

Listening Comprehension	45	2 conversations, 4 short lectures, 34 questions	Spoken English	audio dialogues, talks and lectures accompanied by illustrations and followed by questions

Speaking	20	6 tasks	Standard spoken English (grammar, structure, and vocabulary)	response to 2 questions based on familiar experiences, 4 integrated tasks (read a short passage, listen to an audio, then respond orally)

Writing	50	two essays	General writing, argument development and presentation	one essay based on familiar experience (no specific subject area knowledge required to write the essay), and one based one an integrated task (read a short passage, listen to an audio, then respond in writing)

For more information visit the official TOEFL web-site at http://www.toefl.org or refer to the TOEFL Information Bulletin.

Test Section Review

There are four sections in the iBT TOEFL. As their names suggest, sections measure particular language skills. Each section contributes to one fourth of your score.

Section Time (min.) Format Section Review
Reading Comprehension	60	3 passages, 12-14 questions per passage	The Reading Comprehension section tests your ability to understand and analyze information presented in a written form. Questions in this section are divided among several passages. The passages vary in length and are usually 650 and 750 words. Following each passage are 12-14 multiple-choice questions. The subject matter most commonly found in Reading Comprehension passages most commonly fit into these categories: science, humanities, and social sciences.

Listening Comprehension	45	2 conversations, 4 short lectures, 34 questions	The Reading Comprehension section tests your ability to understand and analyze information presented in a written form. Questions in this section are divided among several passages. The passages vary in length and are usually 650 and 750 words. Following each passage are 12-14 multiple-choice questions. The subject matter most commonly found in Reading Comprehension passages most commonly fit into these categories: science, humanities, and social sciences.

Speaking	20	6 tasks	response to 2 questions based on familiar experiences, 4 integrated tasks (read a short passage, listen to an audio, then respond orally) The Speaking section tests your spoken American English skills. There are two types of tasks (questions) in this section: Independent Tasks These tasks ask you to draw on your own experience and speak on familiar topics, using evidence and details to support your statements. Integrated Tasks For Integrated Tasks, you will both listen to a short audio piece, then read a short passage. Then you will be prompted to summarize what you have heard and read, using the information from both sources to answer a question.

Writing	50	two essays	one essay based on familiar experience (no specific subject area knowledge required to write the essay), and one based one an integrated task (read a short passage, listen to an audio, then respond in writing) The first part of this section measures your ability to generate and support ideas in a written form. You have to write an essay in response to a given question. The other part of this section is composed of reading a short passage (250-300 words), listening to a lecture, then responding to a question using evidence and details from both information sources to support your answer.

For more information visit the official TOEFL web-site at http://www.toefl.org or refer to the TOEFL Information Bulletin.

Score

Unlike in the CBT TOEFL, the iBT TOEFL will not provide you with your scores instantly after you have completed the exam. ETS now posts the scores online, sends you your score record and official score reports to institutions 15 business days after you take the test. You can view your scores online for free. The score report you receive in the mail contain all of the final section scores as well as your total score.

The total iBT TOEFL score ranges from 0 and 120. However, the test sections (reading, listening, speaking and writing) are all also scored separately, on a scale of 0 to 30. The overall score is calculated using section scores and essay score.

Your score is determined by the level of skill you demonstrate in completing the tasks in each section. The TOEFL iBT is not a computer adaptive test, so regardless of your performance, neither the point value nor the difficulty level of the questions changes at any question on the test.

When you receive your final score report in the mail, it will be accompanied by a performance feedback indicating your level of performance as well as descriptions of the tasks that test takers within the reported range can usually accomplish.

Your iBT TOEFL score is valid for two years. If it has been more than two years since you last took the TOEFL exam, you must take it again.

Section	Score
Section 1 - Listening	0 - 30
Section 2 - Speaking	0 - 30
Section 3 - Reading	0 - 30
Section 4 - Writing	0 - 30
Overall Score	0 - 120

There is no passing or failing scores in TOEFL. You get what you get. However, you have to think about admission scores to colleges and universities where you are applying. Check with the schools at which you intend on applying for a minimum or average score before you take the test.

Test Prep- In Class

TOEFL Preparation Course
(for the iBT TOEFL)

Dates will be announced as soon as available.

This TOEFL Preparation Course is designed to prepare students for the iBT TOEFL (Internet-Based TOEFL). The iBT is different in significant ways from the previous types of TOEFL.
The CalUMS's iBT TOEFL Preparation course lasts 5 weeks and classes are held on two days each week. Class size will be limited to 20 and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cost:

$200 for non-CalUMS students.
$150 for students who are have already registered for another course at CalUMS.
Tuition must be paid at registration (cash or check payable to 'CalUMS'; no credit cards).

Registration:
Office of Registration at CalUMS

Textbook:
Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test: Next Generation iBT by D. Phillips (paperback, with CD ROM and answer key, Longman, 2005).
It is available from the Bookstore. During the course, it will be used for reference to test sections, information on how to prepare for the test, and skills practice. This book should also be used for self-study.
Students will be helped to understand the components of the test, what to expect in regard to the computer procedures, and how to prepare for the test. The instructor will introduce each section of the test and assist with problem areas. Some of the class meetings will be held in the computer lab.

If you have questions about the TOEFL Preparation courses described above, please contact:
CalUMS Admissions Officer
714-533-3946
admissions@calums.edu

You can register online for the TOEFL at the iBT TOEFL website

Test Prep- Online

Radio Stations
One of the best ways to improve your English skills is to listen to the language. We've collected a variety of radio stations from around the globe that we hope you'll enjoy.

National Public Radio (NPR http://www.npr.org/realmedia/24hour.ram)
National radio from the United States of America. Programming includes current events, talk shows, music, and more. Click here for a schedule of their programs

Australian Public Radio (http://www.abc.net.au/streaming/raflp.asx)
Australian Radio

BBC Radio (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/)

iBT Online Resources

Internet-based Testing Overview> (http://www.ets.org)
ETS site

FAQ

Q: Why is the test changing?
The new test will better measure what colleges and universities need to know: a prospective student's ability to use English in an academic setting. The new Speaking section evaluates a person's ability to use spoken English, and the new integrated Writing and Speaking tasks measure the ability to combine information from more than one source and communicate about it.

Q: Is a sample test available?
Yes, a complete test can be seen free of charge at www.ets.org/toefl.

Q: Is it possible to take a practice test and get a score?
Yes, a practice test is available at TOEFL Practice Online at www.ets.org/toeflpractice. Join the online community for free and get access to Speaking samples, discussion boards, and daily study tips. Use a credit card to take the practice test for US$20 and receive instant scores for the Reading, Listening, and Writing sections of the test. Additional Listening and Reading questions are available for US$40. Those wishing to receive a practice Speaking score can take the TOEFL Academic Speaking Test (TAST) for an additional US$30. Visit www.ets.org/tast for more information.

Q: How will the new Speaking section be scored?
Each of the six tasks will be rated from 0 to 4, and the sum of these scores will be converted to a scaled score of 0 to 30. Human scorers will rate the responses.

Q: How will the Writing section be scored?
The two tasks will be rated from 0 to 5, and the sum of these scores will be converted to a scaled score of 0 to 30. Human scorers will rate the responses. Scoring guides and sample responses for both the Writing and Speaking sections are available at www.ets.org/toefl.

Q: Where will the test be administered?
The new test will be administered on fixed dates in a network of Internet-based test centers. Internet-based testing makes it possible to greatly expand the number of test centers in what is already the world's largest testing network. Most areas where the new test is offered will have 30 to 40 administrations a year, but the number will vary based on the number of test takers and test center capacity. Test center information will be posted at www.ets.org/toefl in April 2005 and will be updated regularly. Registration bulletins will be available at many educational advising centers, colleges, universities, and libraries.

Q: How can test takers register?
Registration begins in July 2005. Test takers can register online, by phone, or by mail.

Q: Which colleges, universities, and licensing agencies accept TOEFL scores?
More than 5,000 colleges, universities, and licensing agencies in more than 90 countries accept TOEFL scores, making TOEFL the most accepted English-proficiency test in the world. For a list of approved score recipients, please visit www.ets.org/toefl.

Q: What will the fee for the new test be?
The fee in 2005 will be US$140

Download Resource

iBT Regional Registration Centers

TOEFL iBT Tips

TOEFL iBT Score Comparison Tables

TOEFL Institution Code

TOEFL iBT At A Glance

Hightlights of the Next Generation TOEFL (iBT)

Information and Registration Bulletin for iBT TOEFL