Let's face it - the majority of the tests that you will take in your life are going to be stressful. And if the test is measuring your ability to speak a foreign language, that can add another element of stress into the equation. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is widely used to measure a non-native speaker's ability to employ and understand the English language in an academic context, and it is very often a requirement for being accepted into a school where English is the primary language.
As stressful as tests can be, you can dramatically improve your chances if you know what to expect before sitting down to begin. The following sections identify the individual parts of the TOEFL, and they should give you an idea of what you will be expected to complete. Keep in mind that there are small differences between the paper test and the computer-based test.
Reading
In the first section of the test, students will be asked to read three or four sections from an academic textbook. They will be required to answer several questions about the content of each section. This task is not only used to assess how well the student can read English, but also to evaluate the extent to which he or she is able to process and analyze the content.
Listening
The Listening portion requires students to listen to multiple classroom lectures and conversations, after which they will be asked a series of questions about both experiences. The purpose of this section is to evaluate how well you understand English as it is spoken to you. In this case, the lectures and the conversations are both several minutes long.
Speaking
Although it is the shortest section of the test, the Speaking portion is somewhat more involved than the others, and it involves a mix of independent and integrated tasks. In the first part, you will be asked to give your opinion on a topic of your choice. In the second portion, you will be asked to prepare short verbal responses based on what you read or hear during the test. This section is intended to measure your ability to use proper pronunciation, to evaluate the extent of your vocabulary, and to assess your ability to articulate your thoughts in English.
Writing
Like the Speaking portion, Writing is of particular importance. In this final section, you will be asked to prepare two written statements, one independent and the other integrated. In the integrated portion, you will read and listen to a passage of academic information from buy essay club, after which you will be required to prepare a summary of that information. In the independent section, you will prepare a written opinion on a subject of your choosing. Keep in mind that this section will also be used to analyze your ability to employ proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation, in addition to your ability to communicate in writing. Also remember that in both the Writing and Speaking portions of the test, you will be able to use limited notes to prepare.