TOEFL
Test Format
During the three-hour test session, there are four parts to the test in this sequence: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking (proctor supervised). A 10-minute break between the reading and listening parts is given.
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This section has 03-04 academic passages of approximately 700 words length. Each passage is followed by 10 questions. Test takers will get 54-72 minutes to complete this section.
- Reading: 09 types of questions are designed in the reading section to test the comprehension, vocabulary and inferential abilities of the test taker. All questions are MCQs.
- Vocabulary: It tests the understanding of a word or phrase in the given context.
- Sentence Simplification: It tests the skill of identifying essential information in complex sentences in longer texts.
- Factual Information: It tests the ability to identify correct responses about factual information.
- Negative Fact: It tests the ability to identify whether the information is true, not true or not included in the text.
- Prose Summary: It tests the ability to identify major points of the text.
- Classify, Categorize, Organise Information: It tests the ability to conceptualize and organize major points in the text.
- Inference: It tests the ability to comprehend an idea or an argument not explicitly stated in the text.
- Rhetorical Purpose: It tests the ability to determine the author’s intention to use examples and style or order or sequence.
- Insert: It tests the ability to understand the grammatical, lexical or logical link between sentences.
- Reading: 09 types of questions are designed in the reading section to test the comprehension, vocabulary and inferential abilities of the test taker. All questions are MCQs.
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This section has only two tasks to complete in 50 minutes.
- Writing: 08 types of questions are designed in the listening section to the test the comprehension and inferential abilities of the test taker. All questions are MCQs.
- Task 1 is an integrated task using ideas from a short reading passage and a lecture on the same theme. The response is to be written within 150-225 words.
- Task 2 is an independent task to be responded to in a minimum of 300 words on a topic where writer’s opinions are to be stated.
- Writing: 08 types of questions are designed in the listening section to the test the comprehension and inferential abilities of the test taker. All questions are MCQs.
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This section consists of academic 03-04 lectures and 02-03 conversations in an academic set-up. The duration is 41-57 minutes. Each lecture is followed by 06 questions while each conversation is followed by 05 questions.
- Listening: 08 types of questions are designed in the listening section to the test the comprehension and inferential abilities of the test taker. All questions are MCQs.
- Main Idea/Gist: It tests the understanding of the topic of the lecture.
- SGist Purpose: It tests the ability to recognize the overall purpose of the lecture.
- Detail: It tests the ability to identify the important details of a lecture.
- Function: It tests the ability to recognize the purpose behind the speaker’s statement with the understanding of the speaker’s intonation, tone and stress.
- Attitude: It tests the ability to recognize the speaker’s degree of certainty through word stress and intonation.
- Organization: it tests the ability to recognize the shift from the general to the specific during the lecture or conversation.
- Connecting Content: It tests the ability to connect fragments of information and use implied information to draw a conclusion.
- Making Inference: It tests the ability to make an inference on the basis of language, stress, intonation, attitude and degree of certainty.
- Listening: 08 types of questions are designed in the listening section to the test the comprehension and inferential abilities of the test taker. All questions are MCQs.
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Speaking section has four tasks: 01 independent and 03 integrated. The Speaking lasts for around 17 minutes excluding the prompt time. The preparation time is between 15-30 seconds while the response time ranges from 45 to 60 seconds.
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- Task 1 (Independent Speaking) consists of a single question that asks the test taker to make and defend a choice.
- Task 2 consists of a campus-based reading passage and a lecture on the same topic as prompts for the test taker to present the summary of the speaker’s opinions.
- Task 3 has an academic text to read followed by a lecture on the same topic with more details. The response requires to convey important information from the reading and the lecture.
- Task 4 has an academic lecture and the test taker presents summary or the important information of lecture.
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Scoring
Reading: Some questions in this section are worth more than 01 point. The raw score on the Reading section is converted to a scaled score of 0 -30.
Listening: The raw score on the Reading sections is converted to a scaled score of 0 – 30.
Writing: Each writing task is rated on a scale of 0-5. The response is rated widely on three parameters: accurate development, organisation and language use. After the 02 tasks are rated, the scores of the ratings are totalled. The sum of the scores is statistically converted to a scaled score of 0 – 30.
Speaking: Each speaking task is rated on a scale of 0 – 4. The response is rated widely on four parameters: general description, delivery, language use and topic development. After all 04 tasks are rated, the scores of the ratings are totalled. The sum of the scores is statistically converted to a scaled score of 0 – 30.