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LINKS:        TOEFL Website   |   iBT Test Overview   |   Online Registration

The Internet-Based-TOEFL or "iBT" is the world-wide test accepted by colleges and universities all over the U.S.  It is a new test given in a computer lab and scored via the Internet.  Some countries do not offer this new test yet, so they may still offer an older version, such as the "CBT - Computer-Based TOEFL" or even the "Paper Test," but those tests will disappear soon.  The iBT includes a Listening section, a Reading/Vocabulary section, Writing, and Speaking.  Also, it includes combined sections with Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.  Yes, it is a difficult test.

The "Institutional TOEFL" is the paper test given week 8 of every term at Spring International.  It includes only Listening, Reading/Vocabulary, and Grammar sections.  There is no writing or speaking.  This test score is accepted by the colleges at Auraria Campus and at some other Colorado schools.  Most U.S. schools, though, will require the iBT.  Please check with the school to be sure.

The iBT costs $150, and lasts more than 4 hours.

The Institutional TOEFL costs $50 at Spring, and lasts over 2 hours.

For the iBT in Denver, you can register online, by phone, or by mail.  The online registration page is here.

For the Institutional TOEFL, you need to sign up in the main office at Spring.  There will be a morning announcement each term telling students when to sign up and pay.

There are three best things you can do to prepare for the TOEFL:

• go to your ESL classes, do your homework, and study hard!
• live with an American host family, speak with Americans, hang out with Americans!
• read, read, read - read fun things like magazines and jokes, read academic journals and books, read popular novels and classical literature in English!  Improve your academic vocabulary too.

Taking TOEFL classes is the next best thing to do after these three.  Studying on your own is okay, but some students who skipped classes to "study for the TOEFL" actually had lower scores than expected.

The iBT has a perfect score of 120, with four sections of 30 points each.  Some universities or graduate school departments may require a minimum score for each section, in order to be sure the student has a balance of English skills.

The Institutional TOEFL has a perfect score of 677.

For the 'old' scoring system, most schools require a score between 475 and 550.  Rarely, a top university may require a score of 600.  For example, some community colleges will accept a score of 475.  Many colleges will accept 500.  Others require 525.  Many good graduate schools require 550.  You need to check with each college or university, and each graduate school department, to see what score they require.

The textbooks we have used recently at Spring are:

• Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL: Next Generation iBT     The book comes in four versions - book only, book plus CD, book with Answer Key, or book plus CD with Answer Key (complete).  The complete version is available for about $50 (free shipping) at Amazon.com, here.
        
• Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test: iBT      The book with CD is only $27 (free shipping) at Amazon.com, a great deal, here.

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LINKS:        GMAT Website   |   GMAT Test Overview   |   Understanding Your Scores   |   Schedule a Test Appointment    

The GMAT is a test for graduate schools in business and management.  It includes a verbal section, a mathematics section (called "quantitative"), and an analytical writing section.  For an overview of the test, see the official GMAT Overview page.

The GMAT test costs $250.

You may schedule an appointment for the GMAT online, by phone, or by mail.  For information or to sign up online, go to the "Schedule a GMAT Appointment" page.

A perfect score on the GMAT is 800.  For more details, go to the "Understanding your scores" page.

(coming soon)

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LINKS:        TOEIC Website   |   TOEIC Test Overview   |   The New Test   |   Register

1.  What is the difference between the TOEIC and the TOEFL?

The TOEIC, or "Test of English for International Communication," is an international test used to measure a person's English skills for business.  The TOEFL test is used to measure a foreign student's English ability for college and university in the United States.

The new TOEIC is actually two tests: the "Listening and Reading" test, and the new "Speaking and Writing" test.  The Listening and Reading test costs $65.  No price information is available at this time on the new Speaking and Writing test.

To find out about the changes on the new tests, go to the official TOEIC web page about the new test.

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LINKS:        GRE Website   |   GRE "General Test" Details   |   GRE "General Test" Online Registration

(coming soon)

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