Proving a mastery of the English language is a cruCIAl step in coming to the United States for college or graduate school—a goal that's BEComing more pervasive and increasingly competitive.
U.S. schools use the Test of English as a Foreign Language, known as the TOEFL, as a gauge of language proficiency. The standardized test is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at testing centers in 165 countries. It is usually offered online (known as the iBT: Internet-based test), but sometimes still in pAPer form (PBT: pAPer-based test).
Both versions of the exam test for skills in four areas—writing, listening, reading, and speaking—but have different point totals students can achieve. The TOEFL iBT has a test total of 120 points—30 points per section. The maximum PBT score is 677 points.
At some schools, including Binghamton University and St. Louis University, a TOEFL score is accepted in lieu of an SAT or ACT score—though this is not a widespread exception. (Popular institutions for international students, including the University of Southern California and the Illinois Institute of Technology, report they have not adopted the prACTice.)
Taking the TOEFL once costs between $160 and $250, according to ETS, and preparing for the test can cost much more. In today's competitive market for higher Education, heavy preparation for the TOEFL is common, experts say. "It used to be, if you did it, you were ahead," says Donna Zilkha, director of college services at adMissions Consulting firm Aristotle Circle. "Now if you don't do it, you're behind, BECause everybody prepares for the test. The competition has gotten so tough."
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