Starting today, TOEFL will be shortest English proficiency test; check updates, resources

NEW DELHI: The new and enhanced version of TOEFL has been implemented from today, July 26, 2023. Multiple changes have been made to the updated version TOEFL and the focus is to streamline and optimise it to improve students’ efficiency. In the enhanced version, emphasis has been laid on making the testing process hassle-free for students and as delightful as possible.

For students planning to pursue education in an English-speaking country, TOEFL iBT holds immense significance as it serves as an important piece of their admissions portfolio. It provides an evaluation of your English language proficiency and assesses your ability to comprehend English across all communication skills – listening, reading, speaking and writing.

Saying that the test is recognized and embraced by a vast network of institutions spanning across more than 160 countries, Sachin Jain, country manager, ETS India and South Asia said: “TOEFL enjoys widespread acceptance by 12,000+ colleges, universities and institutions worldwide, including 100% acceptance among prestigious colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.”

According to recent data from the Bureau of Immigration (BoI), the number of Indian students flying abroad for higher education surpassed pre-pandemic levels, reaching an impressive 648,678 until November 2022.

With such a substantial number of students venturing overseas, early preparation and effective routines become crucial in reducing exam anxiety and boosting confidence on test day. This article explores the latest modifications to the TOEFL exam and provides valuable strategic tips to help test-takers effectively prepare and achieve success.

New Format of the TOEFL iBT Test

The TOEFL iBT test thoroughly evaluates individuals' English language proficiency by assessing their competence in the four core language skills.

New TOEFL Go! App

Test takers can also prepare for the enhanced TOEFL iBT test on the go on the new TOEFL Go! app. As part of ETS’s commitment to improve the TOEFL iBT test taking experience, the access of this app will be completely free of cost for test takers.

With the launch of TOEFL Go!, test takers can expect digital practice and performance feedback in all four sections - Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing; AI-powered scoring using the same rubrics as the TOEFL iBT test; coaching and tips to improve on the Speaking and Writing sections along with high-level sample responses for Speaking and Writing, with opportunities for comparison and reflection.

Tips for TOEFL iBT Preparation

Reading: The Reading section evaluates a test-taker's ability to understand and analyse complex academic texts. To excel in this section, explore a wide range of English texts, including newspapers, magazines, and online articles.

Listening: The Listening section assesses the ability to comprehend spoken English in academic contexts. Listen to popular English podcasts during your free time.

Speaking: The Speaking section evaluates spoken English proficiency and communication skills. Imagine having conversations about a topic that resonates deeply with you— might be your favourite book or a movie! Engage in practice conversations where you discuss and share opinions on them, and even debate about the latest trends. By recording and reviewing your responses, you can improve your pronunciation, fluency, and the organization of your ideas.

Writing: The Writing section assesses writing skills, including grammar, vocabulary and coherent expression of ideas. Practice timed essay writing to sharpen your ability to convey ideas effectively through your writing, making the TOEFL exam preparation both engaging and personally meaningful. All unscored test questions have been removed, and the "Writing for an Academic Discussion" now replaces the previous “Independent Writing task.” This new section focuses on evaluating a test-taker's ability to engage in academic discussions and present well-structured arguments on topics related to university or academic settings.

Free Test Prep Resources

For comprehensive preparation, ETS’s TOEFL Test Preparation: The Insider's Guide offers a highly interactive 6-week course. While to assess their readiness, students can access the TOEFL iBT Free Practice Test, which provides real past test questions, along with correct answers and sample responses. Additionally, free practice sets are available for the reading, listening, speaking and writing sections.