ValenESL
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TOEFL iBT Basics – Introduction to the TOEFL exam
TOEFL iBT – What is it? How long is it? Why take it? If you’ve decided to take the TOEFL, or are thinking about it, start with this lesson. I answer some basic questions about the TOEFL exam here that I’ve received from students. We cover some introductory information about the exam. You can ask me more questions at the engVid forum. I will record answers to common questions for students whenever I can.
Related Lessons
IELTS Basics – Introduction to the IELTS Exam
TOEFL & IELTS – short introduction and comparison
Prepositions: How to use IN, AT, and ON in English
TOEFL or IELTS? Which exam should you take?
Understand What You Read in English (Reading Comprehension)
What skills do you need for the TOEFL iBT?
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58 Comments on “TOEFL iBT Basics – Introduction to the TOEFL exam”
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hector
i really hope you can help me because i feel it thanks
hector
i really hope you could help me with the past tense regular verbs ok see you soon as posible
RebeccaESL
Hi Hector
What exactly would you like to know about the past tense of regular verbs? If you need help with the pronunciation of these verbs, you can check my other videos and you’ll find one there. If you need help with the grammatical aspect, I’ll try and record a lesson for you. Thanks for your suggestions!
Rebecca
freindship
Hi Mrs Rebecca
I would like to thank you for your lessons. It is very useful for me. I hope you can give us some lesson about how to use some of the verbs such as “make “, “get” and “take”. sometimes It make me confuse.
Hi freindship,
Yes, sure, I will create a lesson on make and do and also on get and take. Thanks for your suggestion.
Keep watching,
Rebecca
RebeccaESL
Mohamed Aden
Madka UK (London)
I would like to thank you for your lessons. It is very useful for me. I hope you can give us so many opportunity, as u have given us before.
what i would like to say to u today is, thanks 4 your hardwarkind D – & Night and god bless u.
thank u
bye
Thanks to you too Mohamed. It’s always nice to know one’s work is appreciated. All the engVid teachers will be uploading new videos regularly, so stay tuned and please tell your friends. It will enable us to produce more lessons for you. All the best to you, Mohamed.
RebeccaESL
COCO
Hi Rebecca !!
I’m passing the TOEFL next friday. I’m ready but I have an important question about the writing section. In fact, I’ve a problem making the difference between a two-sided argument and a one-sided argument I’ve a problem with the stimulus. I don’t recognize if we have to express the both sides or only one side !
Please help me !
Coco
Hi Coco
Hope this message gets to you in time!
If the question tells you to discuss both points of view on a particular topic, then you need to present both sides, and then your opinion.
If it simply asks you what you prefer, then just give one side ( your opinion) and substantiate it with reasons, details and examples.
I hope this helps. All the best,
Rebecca
RebeccaESL
ricardo ricardo
I would like to know a forms to how to do an essay
Hi Ricardo
Please watch my video on How to Structure Your TOEFL Essay,where I present a kind of easy formula you can use to write a well-structured answer to any essay question. The same technique can be applied to any essay, such as on the IELTS.
All the best to you,
Rebecca
RebeccaESL
yazmin
Hi Mrs Rebbeca,
Im going to take the TOEFL to send my application form to a european University, but in the requirements says these: “including a TWE of 4.5 with the TOEFL test”. What that is it means? Do I need to do another test besides the TOEFL? And also I still have doubst about the scored I need to have an scored of 92 on the computer test, is the maximun score 120?
thank you in advance for your help
hey YAZ,
yes the total score in TOEFL is 120 and most of the schools with credibility in US (i dont know about eur) require a score above 90.( at least schools that i was applying)
good luck,
You may want to try a university in US too may be they require less total score. One of them is www . pdx . edu
rina
Hi Yazmin
The requirement for a TWE score is referring to the older exam which used to exist called the Test of Written English, which was part of the older TOEFL exam.
Now there is the new TOEFL iBT in most parts of the world. This is the TOEFL Internet based test, which includes a writing section anyway, so you don’t need to do a separate writing exam. Sometimes the universities don’t update the information placed on their websites. But if you write to them, they will tell you the exact minimum score they need on the TOEFL iBT. The highest score you can get is 120, which means you scored 30 in each of the four sections – reading, writing, listening and speaking. Sometimes, they also need a minimum score in one of the areas, such as writing.
Hope this helps you.
RebeccaESL
rina
my question is why english lang. have some words which letters are not heard ever but they still are there and that complicates the ability to spell words correct.(know,knife,unknown,etc) and also how do i know when to put the K and when not.I mean how do i know that i am not suppose to spell “knews” but i have to spell “know”.
PS.
dont take me wrong i have been in the university now for 3 years and i am able to kind of figure out when to put the K and when not but doesnt that look confusing for a foriegner ?
Thank you Rebeca,
You guys are stares!!!!!!!!!
Hi Rita
Yes, I understand it is frustrating that English is not perfectly phonetic. This fact does make English spelling much more difficult, until you begin to recognize the patterns, as you have started to do. Like any language, English has its quirks, and this is a big one.
Good for you that you have begun to overcome your difficulties with this aspect.
RebeccaESL
bob chalhoub
hey my question are how can i learning english to prepare to the tofel exam???and how are the difficult of the tofel exam???
10x
Wow, Bob, that’s a big question!
First, you want to learn as much as possible about the structure of the exam itself and what you need to do. Please visit this website, which will answer a lot of your questions and also point out a number of effective strategies and resources you can use to prepare for the TOEFL:
Second, get a hold of one of the many excellent TOEFL guidebooks, such as Delta’s
or Barron’s
and do a sample test so you know what your strengths and weaknesses are. Then, start working through the exercises in the guidebook, alone, in a group or through an English school.
Allow enough time to prepare for this exam, which is quite challenging.
Many international students even travel to private language schools in English-speaking countries such as Canada just to prepare for the exam. We have an excellent exam preparation course at Diplomat Language School in Toronto, Canada, if you should decide to join us.
Remember that many skills are tested on the TOEFL beyond reading, writing, listening and speaking. Check the Good Luck TOEFL website to understand more.
RebeccaESL
The TOEFL is quite difficult, because it is usually used to judge which students are capable of entering English-speaking universities. The reading passages and some listening passages are from a first-year university level. This gives you some idea of the level of difficulty.
RebeccaESL
arunakk9
i m searching for free toefl practice tests from along time. but i didn’t get. will u ?
waiting for ur great reply
thanking you rebecca..
briankito
hi Mrs Rebbeca,
I’m newcomer, i have a nice to meet you. I hope you’ll help to teach me become good english, I’m vietnamese so I can’t hear and speak good english because I never speak with foregn. you help me. thanks much. I see your reply
Thanks for writing from Vietnam.
There are many ways in which you can improve your English. Keep reading, writing, listening and speaking whenever you can. Use the many online resources available for ESL/EFL students.
Glad our lessons can help you.
RebeccaESL
Laura (panama)
Hello Rebecca ! how are you !
well this is a wonderful and helping web site for all the persons (like me) who´s native language is not english. Thank you =)
Rebecca, next saturday I´m going to present the exam Toefl ibt. I already present it, and I got a very low score in the reading section, so please can you tell me some tips, so I can get a better score?
Thank youuu =)
Please check the “Good Luck TOEFL” website for tips on each section of the exam.
RebeccaESL
said tariq
thank alot I wish you always help us by teeching on line please tell us about present parfict tence.
Hi Said. James has recorded a lesson on the Present Perfect Continuous, and it will be uploaded to the site soon.
engVid
slimgirl56
I like this video a lot. I knew some about Toefl test before but not clear like this. Thanks a lot, Rebecca.
Glad I could help.
RebeccaESL
Rabin (From Nepal, currently in U A E)
Hi Rebecca,
I saw your class on http://www.engvid.com and I am impressed very much. And you have replied to all of your commenters very politely and your class is also very polite and effective as well. Actually I want to go to the country like Canada, U S A, U K and Australia but my English is very poor and my Acedemic qualification is also only Intermediate passed. So how can i be able to get a good marks in TOEFL or IELTS and go to such a good country for my further study? And I hope that you would suggest me which course to study between TOEFL and IELTS. You are the one who could help me.
I would really be appriciated with you if I could have got a suggestion.
Thanks.
Hi Rabin
First, thanks for your kind feedback. It is much appreciated.
Second, I have just released a new video lesson exactly for you – it explains the differences between the TOEFL and the IELTS. It should help you to weigh the pros and cons of each exam.
Third, improving your English is a goal you can definitely achieve, especially if you are motivated, as you sincerely seem to be. There are many actions you can take on your own such as working on your reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, vocabulary and so on. Watch the videos on our website as well as many other online learning lessons.
Decide which exam you need to take and then start working with one of the pre-IELTS or pre-TOEFL guidebooks on the market. That way, you are improving your English, in the context of preparing for the exam. Longman’s TOEFL iBT guidebook offers easier materials to start working on the TOEFL exam, for example.
Besides that, the best advice is to find a really good teacher and / or school to help you make steady progress in this direction. That way you will be able to keep up your motivation, as well. Consider taking private lessons, if your budget permits, but always monitor the progress you are making. If you feel you are stuck, choose a new teacher. Each instructor will be able to help you in his/ her own way.
I wish you all the best. Let me know how it goes.
RebeccaESL
hicham
hi Rebecca
first of all i would like to thank you for all your efforts that you have done and you still do : really i appreciat all that
and which i m concerning is that really i have a big problem with writing as to know if you want to write an essaye or writing you always think about your mother language so please tell me
how can i make better writing without translating my mother tongue to the target language
to sum up please give us some advices about translation
thanks rebecca and all teachers
Ahmed
Hi Rebecca
Thank you very much for your learning videos materials, I am really fascinated with them. I have entered the toefl ibt exam one time before, and got score of 75. The main problem with me is that during the exam, I usually, miss some details in the listening section. Would you please help me to enhance my concentration and my skills in the listening section.
Thank you again for your help.
Best wishes,
Ahmed.
Hi Ahmed
To do well on the listening section of the TOEFL, you have to learn not only to understand the accents, but also to take very good notes. Taking notes keeps you focused on the listening. I know it’s challenging to write and listen at the same time, but if you practice, you will certainly improve.
Also, work through as many practice tests as you can, using the Delta or Barron’s or Longman’s TOEFL guidebooks.
I wish you all the best.
RebeccaESL
Hernan
Hi Rebecca! How are you? Well first of all I simply want to thank you for such helpful material about the TOEFL exam. There were a couple of things which were absolutely new for me and are, of course, so valuable to know. Second, there’s a question I’d like you to give me more details on. Several years ago, I took the FCE exam from Cambrigde University and passed it successfully. Now, I find myself in a situation of having to take the TOEFL, so I was thinking of using the same material I used for the FCE to prepare this one. Do you think that would be a good idea? Besides, I am currently very busy and almost have no time to attend lessons, so I’m just planning to “prepare myself”. I have been listening to a lot of lessons from this page and many others, and I also did a free sample of TOEFL at the EST web page. Do you think that will be enough?
Thanks very much for your help, and hope to get your answer asap!
Regards,
Hernan
Hi Hernan
Each English proficiency exam is different and it’s really important for you to work from the right materials when you are preparing for your exam.
Even if you’re studying on your own, please get hold of either the Delta
or Barron’s
exam preparation guides, which will help you prepare for each section of this demanding exam.
Also, I’m not sure which country you’re from so first make sure you will be doing the TOEFL iBT and then choose the appropriate exam preparation guidebook.
Complete all four sections of the model tests in these books and they will give you a good idea of where you stand and what your strengths and weaknesses are.
Also, FCE is a test of British English and the TOEFL tests American English used in an academic and campus context. You need to be used to the accents too.
All the best to you!
RebeccaESL
rosa
hey there ,
i would like to know, how many part is for listening and speaking .
thanks for your help
CFC 08
Hi…i wanted to know whether its okay to use british spellings for the toefl ibt?Does it make a difference if i use british spellings and not amercian?
You can use British spelling or American spelling, but whichever style you use, stay consistent throughout your writing.
Hope this helps.
RebeccaESL
Amar
hi
i want to know how to make exam toefl on internet?
is there any fees on it?
many thaks
RebeccaESL
There are practice exams available through the official TOEFL website. You would need to check them out. Why not try doing the many practice exams offered in TOEFL guidebooks? They can also help you know where you stand.
The official exam is done online in most countries, but you must register for that and go to the appropriate exam center in your country.
All the best, Amar.
undaiaal
Useful information, I hope that I’ll pass TOEFL. But now I don’t know when exactly will do it. :) Thank you!
Shayan
Hi Rebecca,
Hope you are well. I can’t take notes while I’m listening. I used to use my long term memory. But I don’t know whether it is better to look at monitor or my front paper when I’m listening. Which way is better?
Please help me to know.
Thank you very much
Oyunaa
Where should I submit my TOEFL writing for review and comments?
Chan
hi Rebbeca, your toefl videos was really wonderfull for like us…
I have taken toefl ibt exams four times but it was not good mark.
score rang was in line of 50 … which was not good and I need 80 in
ibt toefl exams to get admission, so is that possible to me acheive me 80 score in interval of one month or what section/part i should focus…
plz help me…
kalanaza
Thank you very much Mrs Rebbeca,
You are a very dignified woman.
Thank you for this information
Ondrej
HI Rebeca,
what is the best way to prepare for TOEFL iBT test? I suppose that you will answer … pay for some preparation course.
What if I want to study by myself?
Thank you for your response.
Simona Stefanakova
Hello Rebecca, I was wondering what’s the score to pass TOEFL? How many points to I have to get? Thanks
Grey
Hi, Rebecca
I liked your explanation about the Toefl Test. Thanks a lot for all the tips you’d been given through this online classes.I will keep them in mind in my next Toefl Ibt test, Thank U ,All of U are very Kind to help us to understand English. God bless U all. Grey.
hanan
Mrs Rebecca , I hope that I’ll pass TOEFL. But now I don’t know when exactly will do it,and is there any fees? :) Thank you very much !
Maja
Dear Rebecca,
I have one question regarding TOEFL IBT test/Listening part.Do you have an idea and easiest way to take important notes?I’m very fast,but sometimes forget to take important notes in hurry.
Many thanks in advance
Best regards
Maja
Ahmed
Hi Miss Rebecca
I had my TOEFL exam few days ago. Well, I had some problems in some parts, even though I didn’t give up.
Actually, my question is that how bad would it affect my score if I failed in giving a full response on 2 questions in the speaking section ?
vineeta
hello mam,
i am living in india.
going to complete my bhms next year.
i am finding course to be done which will help me to do job abroad.
i am going to take the toefl test.
can u please tell me why is it essential for me to take the test..
what will be the fees for it?
is der any placements available?
Mustapha
Hi,Ms Rebecca,
I would like to express my unlimited thanks to you all for your wondeful assistance and efforts.I like you to give me precise information and strategies about how to be a good teacher.Thanks a lot.
Rohan khare
hello Ms Rebecca!My name is Rohan.I belong to the country India.My English is not so good but still i want to give the toefl test so that i can study abroad especially USA.There is some question about the toefl test i.e.,(1)How many times do the toefl held in a year?
(2)How much scores is needed to study one of the best college in USA?
Mam please help me so that i can qualify toefl test.
Rohan khare
Mam there is also one question.Is toefl is for undergraduate students because i am class 11 student in india and i want to give the toefl test after class 12 board exam.
yassaman
Hi rebeca
I’m going to canada and I need TOEFL degree for university.can U tell me what score do i need? can U give me some information?
thank you so much
shafia
when can i again go for toefl exam ,when i did ot qualify in the 1st attempt.
how many days gap is needed
Louis
Hi Ms./Mrs. Rebecca,
Could you define “non-native speakers of English” a little more? As far as I know, a native English speaker is a person who learned English as his/her first language. What if I learned English and another language as my first language? Should I just wait till I get notified to take the TOEFL (if that ever happens) or should I just take it anyway?