TOEFL iBT

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The Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL evaluates the ability of an individual to .... Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test: IBT Student.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 1. What is the TOEFL? The Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL evaluates the ability of an individual to use and understand English in an academic setting. It has become an admission requirement for non-native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities in the USA as well as in other countries. A TOEFL score is valid for two years and then will no longer be officially reported since a candidate's language proficiency could have significantly changed since the date of the test. At the Universidad Pontificia Comillas, the TOEFL is used by the various Schools and Faculties as one of the tools for the selection of candidates for exchanges. For more information, consult the site below: http://www.upcomillas.es/centros/iim/cent_iim_Toefl.aspx

2. Who has to take the TOEFL? Any student from Universidad Pontificia Comillas who is planning to go on an exchange to an English-speaking country or country where classes will be given in English is required to take the TOEFL exam.

3. What is the difference between the TOEFL iBT (internetbased) and the TOEFL ITP (Institutional TOEFL)? The TOEFL iBT (internet based test) is currently the official TOEFL test, which has to be taken on a computer at an authorized testing center. It assesses how well you combine your listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks. The test is several hours long and includes parts not found on the TOEFL ITP test. This test is administered several times a month. Students have to sign up on their own through the ETS web site. http://www.ets.org/toefl They will be assigned a place, date and time at which to take the test. The TOEFL® ITP or the Institutional TOEFL is the test which is administered at the Unviersidad Pontificia Comillas. It is an exam based on previously administered TOEFL paper-based tests that measures individuals' English proficiency at the intermediate-to-advanced levels. It does not have the validity of an official TOEFL (given that it is based on old papers) and therefore cannot be used to apply for admission to a foreign university program of study. However, the TOEFL ITP can be administered by higher education institutions such as our university for the internal selection of candidates for exchange programs with other universities. It is corrected by the ETS (Educational Testing Service), the company which creates and officially administers all TOEFL exams. 29/08/13

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The Institutional TOEFL includes the following three parts: Section 1: Listening comprehension (35 min.) Section 2: Structure and Written Expression (25 min.) Section 3: Reading comprehension (55 min.)

4. Which of these two versions do I have to take? The Universidad Pontificia Comillas generally requires the scores obtained on the Institutional TOEFL test, which is administered here. However, more and more North American, Canadian and Australian universities with whom the university has exchanges are requiring that students take the TOEFL iBT test. It is your responsibility to find out what the university you are hoping to attend requires of you. Ask your International Coordinator for this information.

5. Do I have to take the Institutional TOEFL if I have already taken the iBT or Institutional TOEFL before? The Instituto de Idiomas Modernos (IIM) of this university is responsible for organizing the TOEFL ITP exam. It keeps your results for 12 months. If you want the Institute to send that score to your School or Faculty a year after you have taken the TOEFL ITP, you must formally request it by completing a form at the Institute before the date of the TOEFL ITP. If you have taken the TOEFL iBT, go directly to the International Coordinator in your School or Faculty and show them your official result form.

6. If the exchange only requires the Institutional TOEFL, can I present my TOEFL iBT score? You may present your iBT score to your School or Faculty, which has equivalency tables to convert your score so that it can be compared with those of students who have taken the TOEFL ITP. (For information about scores, see the last question)

7. How do I sign up for the TOEFL iBT? When and where is it administered? How long does it take to get the results? How much does it cost? Consult this link: http://www.ets.org/toefl. Your School or Faculty will announce their deadline for submitting your TOEFL iBT scores. Your School or Faculty may accept your results obtained online, but it will eventually require that you present the official score slip sent by ETS. Therefore, you will need to sign up for the exam one to two months before in order to meet deadlines.

8. Is it necessary to take a preparation course? How can I prepare for the TOEFL iBT? It is not necessary to take a preparation course as the test measures your many years of English study and assesses your ability to survive at an English-speaking university. However, a course may help you become more self-confident and familiar with question types on the exam. The Instituto de Idiomas Modernos offers preparation for the TOEFL iBT at Alberto Aguilera, 23. However, keep in mind that that the Faculties and Schools need to have 29/08/13

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the results by the beginning of November. Intensive summer courses for both the TOEFL iBT and the TOEFL ITP exams are offered at Alberto Aguilera, 23, in June. There is useful information on the Instituto de Idiomas Modernos webpage http://www.upcomillas.es/centros/iim/cent_iim_Toefl.aspx and a free 900 number to call is provided in the event of any questions regarding the TOEFL iBT exam. You can also buy books to prepare the exam on your own, such as the following: Phillips, Deborah. Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test: IBT Student Book with CD-ROM with Answer Key (audio CDs Required) ISBN-10: 0132056909 / ISBN-13: 978-0132056908

9. How do I sign up for the TOEFL ITP (Institutional TOEFL)? When and where is it administered? Where do I get the results? How much does it cost? Go to the Instituto de Idiomas’ webpage and read all the pertinent information. http://www.upcomillas.es/centros/iim/cent_iim_Toefl.aspx The results are sent directly to your School or Faculty to expedite the selection process. The test costs €53 (September 2013).

10. Is it necessary to take a preparation course? How can I prepare for the TOEFL ITP (Institutional TOEFL)? It is not necessary to take a preparation course as the test measures your many years of English study and assesses your ability to survive at an English-speaking university. You will not improve much by starting to brush up on your English two weeks before you take the exam. However, a course may help you become more self-confident and familiar with question types. Unfortunately, most external centers today only prepare students for the TOEFL iBT test. However, you can also buy books to prepare the exam on your own, such as the following: Phillips, Deborah. Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test: The Paper Test Student Book with CD-ROM with Answer Key (0-13-140883-6)

There is also useful information on the Instituto de Idiomas Modernos webpage with links to site and books such as the one above to help you prepare for this test. A book with a CD is highly recommended. Try to find a book published before 2006 and make sure it says PAPER-BASED on the cover. http://www.upcomillas.es/centros/iim/cent_iim_Toefl.aspx

11. How can I interpret the test scores? TOEFL iBT- Internet-based Test The iBT version of the TOEFL test is scored on a scale of 0 to 120 points. Each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) receives a scaled score from 0 to 30. The scaled scores from the four sections are added together to determine the total score. TOEFL ITP (Institutional TOEFL - Paper-based Test) 29/08/13

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The final score ranges between 310 and 677 and is based on three subscores: Listening (31–68), Structure (31–68), and Reading (31–67). The score test takers receive on the Listening, Structure and Reading parts of the TOEFL test is not the percentage of correct answers. The score is converted to take into account the fact that some tests are more difficult than others. The converted scores correct these differences. Therefore, the converted score is a more accurate reflection of the ability than the correct answer score is. Click here to see the TOEFL Score Comparison tables.

To find out more about the TOEFL and other language exams, go to: Universidad Pontificia Comillas Centros  Instituto de Idiomas Modernos  TOEFL/Otros Idiomas

https://www.upcomillas.es/centros/iim/cent_iim_Toefl.aspx

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