TOEFL Rules Summary

The TOEFL test is considered one of the most important English language proficiency tests approved by many international and local educational organizations. Therefore, the TOEFL test is a basic requirement for admission to undergraduate and graduate systems at various universities. In this topic, we will talk about the TOEFL test, its importance, as well as the TOEFL rules that must be taken into account when applying for the test.

What is the TOEFL test? What are its sections?

The TOEFL test is a test that measures the proficiency of the English language for non-native speakers. A certificate of this test with a specific score is required when applying to study or immigrate to the United States of America in particular, in addition to some other countries, such as Canada, Britain, Germany and France, which accept the TOEFL certificate as a measure of the English language for studying at various universities or obtaining scholarships to study for a bachelor’s or graduate degree.

The TOEFL test is divided into 4 sections as follows:

• The Listening section, which includes 2-3 conversations and 4-6 academic lectures, is completed in 60-90 minutes.
• The reading section, which contains 3-5 text passages, is solved in 60-90 minutes.
• The writing section, which contains two tasks, the first task is to comment on the audio clips heard, and the second task is to write a topic in a title chosen by the test center.
• The Speaking section (which is not included in the revised paper-based test) consists of two separate questions and 4 other questions combined with the other parts of the test.

What are the TOEFL rules?

The different TOEFL rules are the rules for English language training in addition to the rules for the test only, and they are as follows:

• You must know the exact date of the test, as all parts of the test are held on the same day. You must also know the center that has been chosen to take the test.
• You must know the test center instructions and adhere to them carefully, to avoid problems that hinder the test.
• There is a difference between the TOEFL and IELTS test rules , as the IELTS test parts are not related to each other, while there are related parts in the TOEFL test, so you should pay attention to those parts when taking the test.
• Know the conditions for postponing or cancelling the test according to the terms and rules of the test center.

TOEFL test types

There are two types of TOEFL tests : the computer-delivered TOEFL test (TOEFL-IBT), which is the most common and widely accepted test worldwide, and the revised TOEFL paper-delivered test (TOEFL-paper delivered test), which is less common and is not recognized by some organizations. However, both types of tests have the same rules in different TOEFL test models.

The difference between TOEFL and IELTS rules

There is no difference in English grammar between TOEFL and IELTS , while the difference between TOEFL and IELTS lies in some other points, an example of which is the following:

• There are two types of IELTS test , IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic, while TOEFL is available in only one version.
• All IELTS test types have a speaking section , while the revised TOEFL paper-based test does not have a speaking section.
• The TOEFL test is given a score out of 120, with 30 points for each section, while the IELTS test is given a score out of 9, with the average of the four sections.
• The TOEFL test is mainly suitable for students who want to study academically, while the IELTS test is suitable for students who want to study or immigrate because it has two types, as we mentioned previously.
• The accent used in the TOEFL Listening test is the American accent of English, while there are different accents of English in the IELTS test.
• The IELTS test has a set of rules depending on the organization that organizes it, which are different from the TOEFL rules.

TOEFL score division

TOEFL test scores are divided into 4 sections, each section is given 30 points, so the total score is 120 points. There is no failure in the TOEFL test, as the test is an assessment of the student’s level in the English language. Most universities that require the TOEFL certificate accept a total score of no less than 80 to 90 points. Students must ensure the required score to join the universities they want.

How to Prepare for the TOEFL Test

• Make sure you know English grammar correctly, to ensure you do not lose points due to mistakes in English grammar, whether in writing or speaking.
• Take a placement test. This step is the starting step for preparing for the TOEFL test because it gives you the real level from which you should start preparing.
• Practice listening well , and ensure mastering the American accent in pronouncing English well, as the American accent is the English accent in the TOEFL test.
• Practice speaking intensively. English language experts advise getting a friend to practice speaking with on a daily basis in order to obtain a fluent level of speaking English.
• Focus on vocabulary mainly, as the strength of the language depends on the number of vocabulary you have. You can collect the vocabulary you learn from reading English books or listening to different texts in a notebook of your own to review before the test.
• Practice the test format, in terms of the time allowed to complete each section, as well as the question format, by solving several TOEFL test models to learn how to apply the rules in TOEFL test models.

The TOEFL test requires adequate training in good English language practice, in addition to good training in TOEFL rules as an English language test, the time required to perform each part of the test, as well as knowledge of the TOEFL test rules that must be taken into account when applying and taking the test.