Monzurul Amin
M.Pharm, B.Pharm ( University of Dhaka)
At present: South Dakota State University, USA.
TOEFL iBT score: 102
E-mail: mailpharmacist-form@yahoo.co.in

Is TOEFL for me?
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a test conducted by Education testing service, USA (ETS) to judge the level of English language competency of international students. To get admitted in North American Universities in undergraduate or graduate studies (Bachelor, Masters, Ph.D. or equivalent), you must sit for TOEFL.

What is TOEFL iBT?
Previously TOEFL was CBT (computer based test) or PBT (paper based test). After 2006 those tests are replaced by iBT or internet based test worldwide . The format of the test is as follows:

Source: TOEFL iBT Tips : How to Prepare for the Next Generation TOEFL Test and Communicate With Confidence (ETS)

How is it different?
ETS discussed the following difference in their TOEFL iBT Tips booklet. Download it from there website. I am quoting from them here:

• It tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The emphasis will be on using English to communicate.
• It will be delivered via the Internet in secure test centers around the world. Once the new test is introduced in an area, the computer-based and paper-based tests will no longer be offered there.
• Some tasks 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. New integrated questions, or “tasks,” help students build the confi dence needed to communicate in the academic environments they plan to enter. The new integrated tasks will ask test takers to:
  • read, listen, then speak in response to a question
  • listen, then speak in response to a question
  • read, listen, 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 raters evaluate them. The raters 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 raters also evaluate the responses to the Writing tasks via ETS’s Online Scoring Network.
• The new test is approximately 4.0 hours long. All test 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 on any section of the test and they can use those notes when answering the questions. After testing, notes are collected and shredded before the test takers leave the test center.
• The new scores help to explain test takers’ 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 can be found on pages 65–70 and are available at www.ets.org/toefl /nextgen.
• 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 scores online starting in 2006, but they will also continue to receive scores via their current delivery method.
  (End quote)
  

When should I take the test?
The test is taken all the year round. Most of the international students are admitted in Fall session in USA which starts from August/September. You should sit for the test one year before the Fall session starts. For example you are planning to get admitted in US university in Fall 2009, then your work flow may be like this:

• June 2008: Register for the test at August
• June-August: Prepare for the test
• August 2008: Sit for the test
• October 2008: The test score reaches the selected universities from ETS and to you
• November 2008: Apply for Fall 2009 in universities

How long is the score valid?
Your test score is valid for only two years. After that period ETS removes your test data from their archive.

How can I register for the test?
If you have decided to take the test then you have to pay 150$ fee (for Bangladesh). The best way to pay it is through online using international credit card. If you can not manage credit card, then go to Varsity Admission (http://www.varsityadmission.com/ToeflGreSat/Toefl_Gre_Sat_App_Fee.php) for help.
Please register 2-3 months before the test date as test centers fill up quickly.
If you do not have passport then immediately get one. Without valid passport, you will not be able to take the test.

How can I send my scores to foreign universities?
US universities will not accept the TOEFL result directly from you. You must send the scores through ETS. You can send the result to four universities without cost during registration. If you want to send to more than four, then additional charges apply.
You have to give the names of universities at the time of registration.

Where are the test centers in Bangladesh?
There are three test centers for TOEFL in Bangladesh. These are
1. American Alumni Association (AAA, Banani)
2. AIUB (Banani)
3. Grameen Star (Panthapath)

Our advice is to select the AAA and avoid the notorious Grameen Star test center.

What is an acceptable score in TOEFL iBT?
Most universities of USA want a minimum score of 79 in iBT. Top universities or very competitive programs may require up to 100 score. The highest mark attainable is 120. Please visit the websites of universities you are interested to know their score requirement. The information is usually given in links like : prospective students/future students>admission>international students.
The average score of TOEFL iBT for Bangladeshi students is 83 (according to 2008 statistics).

How much time is required for preparing for the test?
There is no syllabus for TOEFL, so the preparation totally depends on you. If you can read 700 word passages within 10 minutes, understand American accent, speak about any topic within few minutes in English fluently, and type 400 words of neat essay on computer within 30 minutes, then you are prepared to take the test tomorrow. It may not be the case for everyone. Even if you (a Bangladeshi) are very much familiar with American culture and living there for years, test result may be poor. Though the test has no syllabus, you have to practice well before sitting for the exam.

How can I start the preparation?
Our advice is as follows:

• At first give a mock test. You can administer the test yourself by using test materials from ETS. Download the 70 MB ‘Free iBT sample questions for test takers’ from www.toefl.org. You can also use the test CDs of Barron’s, Kaplan etc. listed at the end of the article.
• After the test, find out your weak points. Maybe you are weak in speaking. Then practice speaking section more and more.
• Follow the test materials and resources for different sections listed at the end of this article. Section wise tips are given below:

Reading comprehension:

• Practice from model tests of The Official Guide to the New TOEFL iBT by ETS (it contain actual test questions previously administered). You can also use the test CDs of Barron’s and Kaplan’s TOEFL iBT.
• Practice to read from computer monitors. For this purpose read English newspapers like Newyork Times (www.nytimes.com), wall street journal (online.wsj.com), economist (www.economist.com) online frequently.
• Use a good American dictionary as vocabulary is also tested in TOEFL. Avoid much popular Oxford dictionary and get a copy of Merriam Webster’s (MW) dictionary. MW soft copy can be found on net.
  

Listening:

• Practice the model tests of ETS, Barrons and Kaplan. You can also listen to National Public Radio online (www.npr.org) which has wide range of topics. Listening to CNN maybe helpful but I personally find it boring. Watching American movies, specially the comedy ones are recommended by ETS!
• While listening, take notes. It is very important. Learn about note taking techniques from Barron’s.

Speaking:

• Use the listening section to help you in speaking. Get used to American accent and try to get rid of your native accent. Listen to a topic and try to summarize orally in English.
• Try to converse with your friends or colleagues in English if possible. Use a stopwatch and practice to speak on different topics within one minute.
• Record your speech and listen afterwards. You will be amazed to find so many false starts (um umm ..) and pauses during your talk. These things are annoying for listeners who will rate you. So try to replace these pauses with ‘I mean’, ‘actually’ etc but avoid ‘you know’.
• Speak confidently (loud and clear), with smile and in medium pace. If you speak slowly and in low voice then the listener may not hear you or think that you are not sure about your speech.

Writing:

• Practice typing on the computer. You should be able to write 400-500 words within 20-25 minutes.
• When you get a writing topic, think about it. Write in scratch paper if you agree/disagree with it. What are reasons for your support/opposition? After deciding what to write, organize your essay. Your essay will be rated by two experienced examiners and they expect neatly organized essay. Do not try to write flowery or pompous words. Write simple English while maintaining the sequence of reasoning. If you have three reasons to agree/disagree with the topic then describe:
  First…,
  Second..,
  Finally...
• To know more about this, read Barron’s tips on writing.
• Write an introduction after finishing your task. Most of the people waste their time about how to start the essay. You don’t have much time, so write it later. In the mean time, your essay will come into a shape and then you can write in the introduction what the reader can expect onwards. For example you summarize your reasoning in the introduction. Besides try to add context to the introduction. Learn from previously mentioned books on how to write context lines.
• Visit webpages where sample essays for TOEFL are published. For example testmagic (http://www.testmagic.com/test/index.asp)
• To improve your writing style, read the feature articles of NYtimes.

Where can I get the mentioned test materials?
You can get the books and CDs in bookshops of Newmarket and Nilkhet, Dhaka. Specially Khan Book Center in Nilkhet can provide most of the materials.
In addition, utilize internet sites such as official TOEFL site (bulletin, tips, sample questions), blogsites (for ebooks), esnips (for ebooks), youtube (for video lessons), npr (for listening), NYtimes (for reading) etc.

List of useful Books
The official guide to the new TOEFL iBT. McGraw Hill. ETS. One audio CD.
Barron’s TOEFL iBT. One audio CD.
Peterson’s TOEFL iBT
Merriam Websters Dictionary

List of useful websites
www.toefl.org
www.nytimes.com
www.npr.org
www.youtube.com (search : toefl ibt)
www.esnips.com (search : toefl ibt)
http://www.testmagic.com/test/index.asp

List of useful softwares
Sample iBT questions, 70 MB. Download from toefl.org
Kaplan TOEFL iBT test. Five computerized tests in one CD.
Barron’s model test. Seven computerized tests in one CD
Merriam Websters Dictionary.

If you have further inquiries feel free to mail me.