TOEFL
Paper based or Internet based?
Mrs. Bino Sarah Paul
TOEFL Coordinator
Foundation Program
Qatar University
Outline
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History
Changes
What is pBT ?
What is iBT?
How to register?
History
Test of English as a Foreign Language - TOEFL is
a test designed to measure the English -language
ability of people who do not speak English as
their first language.
The test provider, Educational Testing Services
[ETS], based in USA has offered this exam since
1964.
Changes
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For more than 30 years, the TOEFL test was given as a
paper-and- pencil, multiple- choice test. (PBT)
In 1998, a computer-based version (CBT ) was available in
some parts of the world.
In the academic year 2005-2006, the new generation test,
TOEFL iBT was introduced in selected test centers all
over the world.
Qatar University was the first center in the Middle East to
administer TOEFL iBT.
The test is delivered over the Internet. Test–takers work on
the tests at the individual computer stations at official
testing centers.
TOEFL
Paper based
TOEFL®
ITP consists of previously
administered TOEFL paper-based tests.
It evaluates nonnative English speakers'
skills in three areas, for academic purposes.
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Sections
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Listening Comprehension — measures the
ability to understand English, including short and
long conversations and short talks or lectures
Structure and Written Expression — measures
the ability to recognize standard written English
Reading — measures the ability to read and
understand short passages at the university level
TOEFL pBT
Total Time-2 Hours
Section-1
Listening Comprehension
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Number of Questions-50
Admin. Time-35 minutes
Score Scale-31 — 68
Section-2
Structure and Written Expression
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Number of Questions- 40
Admin. Time-25 minutes
Score Scale-31 — 68
Section-3
Reading
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Number of Questions-50
Admin. Time- 55 minutes
Score Scale-31 — 67
TOTAL
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Number of Questions-140
Admin. Time-115 minutes
Score scale -310 — 677
Listening Comprehension Questions
Short conversations
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After each conversation, you will hear a question
about the conversation.
The conversations and questions will not be
repeated.
After you hear a question, read the four possible
answers in your test book and choose the best
answer.
Longer conversations
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After each conversation you will hear several
questions.
The conversations and questions will not be
repeated.
After you hear a question, read the four possible
answers in your test book and choose the best
answer.
Talks
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After each talk, you will hear some questions.
The talks and questions will not be repeated.
After you hear a question, read the four possible
answers in your test book and choose the best
answer
Structure and Written Expression
Structure
Example
Geysers have often been compared to volcanoes _______
they both emit hot liquids from below the Earth's surface.
 due to
 because
 in spite of
 regardless of
The sentence should read, "Geysers have often been
compared to volcanoes because they both emit hot liquids
from below the Earth's surface." Therefore, you should
choose answer B.
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Written Expression
Example
Reading Comprehension
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Reading Comprehension section you will read
several passages.
Each one is followed by a number of questions
about it.
You are to choose the one best answer, A, B, C, or
D, to each question
TOEFL - Internet based test
Total time: 3 - 1/2 to 4 hours
Total score: 0 to 120
What’s New in iBT?
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The new test emphasizes the test-taker's ability to
communicate in an academic setting.
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For that reason the new Speaking section has been
added and the Writing section has been expanded.
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Another feature of the test is the absence of the
Structure and Written Expression section.
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Grammar is tested indirectly, especially in the
Speaking and Writing sections.
Students are allowed to take notes throughout the test.
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Test Format
1. Reading
Three readings (about 600-700 words per reading)
 39 questions (12 to 14 per reading; mainly- multiple choice)
 60 minutes
 Score - 0 to 30
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2. Listening
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Two conversations
Four lectures/ discussions
34 questions (5 per conversation, 6 per lecture ; mainly multiple
choice)
About 50 minutes
Score - 0 to 30
Mandatory break- 10 minutes
3. Speaking
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Two Independent tasks (based on the student’s knowledge and experience)
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Four Integrated tasks (based on short readings and/ or lectures)
About 20 minutes
 Score - 0 to 30
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4. Writing
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One Independent task (based on the student’s knowledge and experience)
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One Integrated task (based on short reading and a lecture)
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About 30 minutes
Score - 0 to 30
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QU requirement
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Score of 61 which is equivalent to 500 in paper
based test .
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Students can obtain their scores online about 15
business days after they take the test.
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The admissions office of QU also can receive the
score directly from ETS, if the students fill in the
recipient code (8943) while registering for the
test.
Reading -Type of Questions
1. Multiple-Choice Questions
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Factual and Negative factual questions
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Vocabulary and Inference questions
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Questions about author’s purpose, methods, attitude
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Sentence restatement / simplification questions
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Reference questions
Reading -Type of Questions
2. Other reading questions
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Sentence Addition Questions- to insert the sentence in the
appropriate place
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Complete the summary- choose the sentences which
together form the summary of the passage
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Complete the chart questions- a number of answer choices
are given and the students must put them in the proper
category in a chart
Reading - Special Features
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Titles - for all passages which give a quick, overall idea of what the passage
is about
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Illustrations, maps, charts, drawings and pictures – to clarify the point
made in the passage and to make the passages seem more like authentic
textbook material
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Glossed vocabulary –for difficult idioms, topic-specific vocabulary, or
unfamiliar vocabulary
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Highlighters and paragraph markers- to find the part of specific text or
words or sentences asked about
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Review Feature –by clicking the button on the toolbar, the student can
locate the unanswered questions
Listening -Type of Questions
1. Multiple-Choice Questions
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Main-topic questions
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Main Purpose questions
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Factual and Negative Factual questions
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Inference questions
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Purpose, Method, Attitude questions
Listening -Type of Questions
2. Other listening questions
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Questions with multiple answers
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Replay questions
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Matching questions
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Ordering questions
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Complete the chart question
Speaking-Type of Questions
Two Independent Tasks
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Personal Preference and Paired Choice
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Preparation - 15 seconds
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Response - 45 seconds for each task
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Questions are based on the students’ own knowledge and
experience
Speaking- Type of Questions
Four Integrated Tasks
Listening/ Reading / Speaking Tasks
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Reading passage and related lecture or conversation
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Reading -45 seconds
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Lecture/ conversation-60 to 80 seconds
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Preparation- 30 seconds
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Response -60 seconds for each task
Speaking- Type of Questions
Two Listening / Speaking Tasks
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Lecture or Conversation
60 to 90 seconds
Preparation -20 seconds
Response -60 seconds
All the four Integrated tasks are based on campus or
academic situations.
Ex:-Announcements/discussions, general/ specific, problem/ solution,
summary.
Writing-Type of Questions
One Integrated writing task-200 words
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Reading passage and related lecture
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Summarize and compare the lecture and passage
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Reading- 3 minutes
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Lecture -2 minutes
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Writing -20 minutes
Writing-Type of Questions
One Independent Writing Task – 300 words
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Students’ own knowledge and experience
Giving opinion on an issue
Express a personal preference
Agree or disagree with a statement
Explain the importance of a development, invention, or
phenomenon
Writing- 30 minutes
How to register?
TOEFL iBT
 http://www.qu.edu.qa/qu/colleges/foundation/iBT
_instructions.html
 registration fee of USD 170.00 (online payment)
TOEFL pBT
 present your ID to the TOEFL office in the
Foundation Program building in the Men or
Women Campus.
 registration fee of QR 150.00