TOEFL facts for kids
The Test of English as a Foreign Language, often called TOEFL, is a special test. It checks how well people who don't speak English as their first language can use English language. This helps them see if their English is good enough to study at a university or college in countries where English is spoken.
TOEFL looks at four main skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. It makes sure you can use English for schoolwork. More than 10,000 colleges, universities, and groups in over 150 countries accept this test. This means it's one of the most popular English tests around the world!
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How TOEFL Has Changed
The TOEFL test has been updated a few times over the years.
Paper-Based Test (PBT)
The first version was called the PBT, which stands for Paper-Based Test. You would take this test using paper and pencils. It checked your listening, reading, and grammar skills. The highest score you could get was 677. Some places still use this test if they don't have computers available.
Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Later, the CBT, or Computer-Based Test, was introduced. For this test, everyone got their own computer. A writing section was added to the listening, reading, and grammar parts. What was cool about the CBT was that the difficulty of the listening and grammar questions would change based on how well you were doing.
Internet-Based Test (iBT)
The newest version is the iBT, or Internet-Based Test. This test is taken online using the internet. It measures all four important skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The iBT is now used in most places around the world.
How to Take the TOEFL Test
There are a few steps you need to follow to take the TOEFL test.
Choosing Where and When
First, you need to decide where and when you want to take the test. The type of test (like iBT or CBT) might depend on your location. It's a good idea to sign up early, usually 2 to 3 months before you want to take it, to make sure you get a spot.
Registering for the Test
Next, you need to register. You can do this in person, online, by phone, or by email. Most people register online because it's easy. You will need to pay a fee to finish your registration. The cost can change depending on which type of exam you choose.
Why TOEFL is Important
More and more universities and colleges want students to take the TOEFL test. This means more people are taking it every year.
For example, in Korea in 2010, almost 115,000 people took the TOEFL test. This was about 20% of all the people who took the test worldwide that year! For middle and high school students in some countries, getting a good TOEFL score can help them apply to top universities in their own country. Studying for TOEFL can also help students improve their English skills a lot, which can help them do well on other English exams too.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: TOEFL para niños
