TOEFL iBT FAQ

TOEFL iBT FAQ

The TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. More than 11,500 educational institutions and agencies in over 160 countries accept TOEFL scores to evaluate the English proficiency of people whose native language is not English. The admissions committees of colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and a large number of other countries require that foreign applicants submit TOEFL scores along with transcripts and recommendations to be considered for admission. In addition, many government, licensing, and certification agencies and exchange and scholarship programs worldwide use TOEFL scores to assess the English language skills of people for whom English is not their native language. Finally, many companies, multinational corporations, and even those Moldovan businesses that work with foreign partners would like to see the TOEFL scores of their job applicants in order to measure the ability of the latter to use and understand English.

The TOEFL iBT is the most accessible test in the world, with testing available in more than 200 countries and territories. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is available everywhere that TOEFL testing is normally available, except Iran. The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition is currently offered 1-2 times a month at authorized test centers in Colombia, India, Mexico, and the United States. Almost one million people register to take the TOEFL every year. Some of them do not score well because they do not understand enough English. Others do not score well because they do not understand the examination. The following questions are frequently asked by students enrolled in the TOEFL Preparation course as they prepare for the TOEFL iBT at Terra Nova.

TOEFL PROGRAM
What is the history of the TOEFL Program?
What versions of the TOEFL are administered in the Republic of Moldova?
What is the TOEFL iBT?
Why was the TOEFL iBT introduced?
Is the TOEFL iBT more difficult than the previous TOEFL formats?
What is the structure of the TOEFL iBT?
How are test questions created?
Where can I get writing topics found on the independent writing task for the TOEFL iBT?


TOEFL iBT REGISTRATION
How do I register for the TOEFL iBT?
How do I create my profile in the TOEFL iBT registration system?
How do I register for the TOEFL iBT online?
Will my TOEFL iBT registration be confirmed?
How do I select my score recipients?
Where can I find a free TOEFL iBT Registration and Information Bulletin?
Where is our Regional Registration Center?
When should I register for the TOEFL iBT?
May I reschedule or cancel my registration?


TOEFL iBT FEES
What are the fees for the TOEFL iBT?
How may I pay the fees for the TOEFL iBT?
Will I receive a refund if I cancel my registration?


TOEFL iBT ADMINISTRATION
How is the TOEFL iBT administered?
In what room is the TOEFL iBT offered?
What should I take with me to the test room?
What must I bring to the test center?
What are test center guidelines, policies, and procedures?
Can I be dismissed from the test center?
How long is the testing session?
Which computer keyboard is used in administering the TOEFL iBT?
What should I do if there is no testing due to conditions over which I have no control?


TOEFL iBT EXAMINATION
What kinds of questions are found on the TOEFL iBT?
Are there any sample questions?
Are TOEFL iBT questions the same everywhere on the same date?
Why are some of the Reading and Listening sections longer?
May I choose the order of the sections on my TOEFL iBT?
May I take notes?
May I change an answer?
If I am not sure of an answer, should I guess?
What should I do if I cannot hear the audio for the Listening section?
What should I do if I have a personal problem during the test?
Are breaks scheduled during the TOEFL iBT?
How often may I take the TOEFL iBT?
If I have already taken the TOEFL, how will the previous scores affect my new score?
May I keep my test?
What happens to someone who cheats on the TOEFL iBT?


TOEFL iBT SCORE REPORTS
What should I do to earn a score on the TOEFL iBT?
How is the total TOEFL iBT score calculated?
What TOEFL iBT scores are considered acceptable?
How do the scores compare on the iBT, CBT, and PBT formats?
How and when do I get my scores?
May I cancel my scores?
How can I send additional score reports?
Is there a direct correspondence between proficiency in English and a TOEFL score?
How long are TOEFL iBT scores valid?
Can I estimate my TOEFL iBT score before I take the actual test?
How is the Speaking section scored?
How is the Writing section scored?


ETS
What is ETS?

TOEFL iBT SUCCESS
Will I succeed on the TOEFL iBT?

Answers:
What is the history of the TOEFL Program?
The TOEFL Program was launched in 1962 when the National Council on the Testing of English as a Foreign Language was formed. Its members were representatives of more than 30 private organizations and government agencies concerned with the English proficiency of nonnative speakers of English who wished to study at colleges and universities in the United States. The council supported the development of the TOEFL for use starting in 1963-1964. Financed by grants from the Ford and Danforth Foundations, the TOEFL Program was first administered by the Modern Language Association. In 1965, the College Board and Educational Testing Service (ETS) assumed joint responsibility for the program. Because many who take the TOEFL are potential graduate students, a cooperative arrangement for the operation of the program was entered into by ETS, the College Board, and the Graduate Record Examinations Board in 1973. Under this arrangement, ETS is responsible for administering the TOEFL program with guidance from the TOEFL Board.

The test originally contained five sections. As a result of extensive research, a three-section test measuring listening comprehension, structure and written expression, and reading comprehension was developed and introduced in 1976. In July 1995, the test item format was modified somewhat within the same three-section structure.

Throughout the 1990s, various constituencies called for a new TOEFL that would (1) be more reflective of communicative competence models; (2) include more constructed-response tasks and direct measures of writing and speaking; (3) include tasks that integrate the language modalities tested; and (4) provide more information than the paper-based TOEFL (TOEFL PBT) about the ability of international students to use English in an academic environment. Accordingly, the TOEFL Board initiated a broad effort under which language testing will evolve in the twenty-first century. The introduction of the computer-based TOEFL (TOEFL CBT) in July 1998 was the first incremental step in this broad test-improvement effort.

The next step was the introduction of an Internet-based version of the TOEFL (TOEFL iBT) in September 2005. The test was first administered in the United States on September 24, 2005. In October 2005, it began in Canada, France, Germany, and Italy. Since then, the TOEFL iBT has been rolled out worldwide. The test assesses all 4 language skills (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) that are important for effective communication. The TOEFL iBT emphasizes integrated skills and provides better information to institutions about students' ability to communicate in an academic setting and their readiness for academic coursework. As the TOEFL iBT was introduced in an area, the TOEFL CBT was discontinued after a period of overlap in order to ensure a smooth transition to the TOEFL iBT. The final administration of the TOEFL CBT was held in September 2006. The TOEFL PBT continued to be offered on a limited basis to support the TOEFL iBT testing network.

On November 1, 2011, ETS introduced timing and navigation enhancements to the TOEFL iBT Reading section. In response to test takers' feedback about the length of the section, ETS decreased the maximum number of reading passages from 5 to 4. Test takers now had either 60 minutes to complete 3 reading passages and questions or 80 minutes to complete 4 reading passages and questions. In addition, the Reading section was no longer divided into separately timed parts. Instead, all of the reading passages and questions were made available in a single block of time. This change allowed test takers to pace themselves throughout the entire Reading section. It also allowed navigating within the entire Reading section so that test takers could skip questions, go back to review and change responses, or respond to questions that they might have skipped.

Beginning in March 2013, the Listening and Speaking sections of the TOEFL iBT test may include other native-speaker English accents in addition to accents from North America. In the Speaking section, only question 1 of the 4 tasks, which is the only Independent Speaking question, may have accented speech. Test takers may hear accents from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, or Australia. ETS added these accents to better reflect the variety of native English accents that you may encounter while studying abroad.

In 2017, the TOEFL PBT was discontinued and replaced by the revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test, which is offered up to 4 times a year in areas where testing via the Internet is not available. The first administration of the revised test was held on October 14, 2017. The revised test measures 3 skills using the same types of questions as on the TOEFL iBT test: Reading, Listening, and Writing. Speaking is not measured because it cannot be accommodated on a paper-delivered test. Because the revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test is more closely aligned to the TOEFL iBT test, the revised paper-delivered scores are reported on the TOEFL iBT score scale, eliminating the previous TOEFL PBT score scale of 310-677. The scores are reported 5 weeks after the test date.

On August 1, 2019, ETS started to administer a shorter TOEFL iBT test, enhanced score reporting, and made the registration process easier. TOEFL iBT test time was shortened by 30 minutes, to just 3 hours, with no changes to the overall test format or question types. The shorter test has fewer questions in the Reading, Listening, and Speaking sections. The Reading section now has only 10 questions per passage instead of 12-14. The Listening section now has one or two fewer lectures. No question types were eliminated from the Reading and Listening sections. Independent question #1 (express a personal preference) and integrated question #5 (campus situation; problem/solution) were removed from the Speaking section. The remaining questions were renumbered 1 to 4 in the shortened version. For test takers, the shorter TOEFL iBT test makes for a better testing experience. It lessens fatigue and improves focus and performance, helping them to show their best.

On August 1, 2019, ETS also introduced a new feature called MyBest scores, which combines test takers' best scores for each section from all of their valid TOEFL iBT scores in the last 2 years. Everyone has a bad day once in a while, and MyBest scores give test takers a way to show their best overall test performance. Test takers do not have to do anything to take advantage of this feature. All TOEFL iBT score reports sent after August 1, 2019, regardless of the test administration date, automatically include MyBest scores along with the traditional scores from selected test dates.

On March 23, 2020, ETS launched the TOEFL iBT Home Edition in selected countries in response to the test center closures caused by the coronavirus outbreak. It is currently available everywhere that TOEFL testing is normally available, except Iran. Monitoring of the test is conducted using live remote proctors and artificial intelligence technology by ProctorU, the leading proctoring solution for online testing.

On August 21, 2021, ETS launched the TOEFL Essentials test, which measures the core language skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking in a wide variety of environments, beyond just academic, using a multistage adaptive design, in about 1.5 hours. TOEFL Essentials scores are reported as band scores from 1 to 12 and are valid for 2 years after the test date. The TOEFL Essentials test is offered worldwide in every country except Iran. You take the test at home using your own computer and a proctor monitors your session through an online video camera. The test fee for the TOEFL Essentials test varies from U.S. $100 to $120, depending on your location. The fee for testing in the Republic of Moldova is U.S. $110. Many institutions are still making their decisions about accepting the TOEFL Essentials test and setting score requirements.

What versions of the TOEFL are administered in the Republic of Moldova?
The paper-based TOEFL had been administered in the Republic of Moldova on a regular basis until the Internet-based TOEFL was introduced in September 2006. The last TOEFL PBT was administered in Chișinău on May 13, 2006. The computer-based TOEFL, which is no longer administered in the world, was never administered in our country. The first TOEFL iBT was administered in Moldova on September 23, 2006. The Internet-based TOEFL is administered at three ETS-authorized test centers in Chișinău from one to several times a month. To get a list of available test locations and dates, visit the TOEFL website or ask your TOEFL instructor. Beginning in April 2020, you can also take the TOEFL iBT test on your own computer at home. The TOEFL Essentials test has been offered since August 2021.

What is the TOEFL iBT?
The TOEFL iBT tests all 4 language skills that are important for effective communication: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. The content on the test is authentic, and the language is consistent with that used in everyday academic settings. The TOEFL iBT is offered more than 60 times a year at authorized test centers around the world, and 4 days a week from almost anywhere with the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. The TOEFL iBT is approximately 3 hours long. All test sections are completed on the same day.

The TOEFL iBT Reading section measures the test taker's ability to understand reading passages of about 700 words each from university-level textbooks covering a variety of different subjects. Besides traditional multiple-choice format questions, the Reading section has questions that ask test takers to select the answer choice that most accurately paraphrases a sentence from the passage, to insert a sentence where it fits best in the passage, and to categorize information and fill in a chart or complete a summary. You can return to previous questions to review or change your answers. Sometimes, test takers can click on certain words and phrases in the reading passages to view their definitions or explanations.

The TOEFL iBT Listening section measures the test taker's ability to understand spoken English. Listening material in the test includes academic lectures and long conversations. The content of the lectures reflects the content that is presented in introductory-level university courses. The lectures cover an extensive range of subjects and topics. The conversations in the TOEFL iBT may take place during an office meeting with a professor or teaching assistant, or during a service encounter with university staff. Each lecture is about 5 minutes long. Each conversation is about 3 minutes long. In the TOEFL iBT Listening section, you may hear accents from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, or Australia in addition to accents from North America. Besides traditional multiple-choice questions with 4 answer choices and a single correct answer, the TOEFL iBT Listening section includes questions that measure understanding of a speaker's attitude, degree of certainty, and purpose, or require test takers to order events or steps in a process or to match objects or text to categories in a chart. You will not be able to see the questions while you listen to the conversations and lectures. You cannot return to previous questions to review or change your answers.

The TOEFL iBT Speaking section, which measures the test taker's ability to speak effectively in academic settings, includes 1 independent and 3 integrated tasks. Question 1 is the Independent Speaking question, which is on a topic that is familiar to you. Questions 2 through 4 are the Integrated Speaking questions. For these questions, you have to use more than 1 skill. Some questions require you to read, listen, and then speak, while others require you to listen and then speak. When you listen, you will hear accents from North America, and you may hear accents from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, or Australia. Test takers wear noise-cancelling headphones and speak into a microphone. The responses are digitally recorded and sent to ETS's Online Scoring Network, where human raters, who are trained and certified by ETS, evaluate them. Human scoring is complemented by automated AI scoring to ensure consistent, quality scores.

The TOEFL iBT Writing section, which measures a test taker's ability to write in an academic setting, has 2 tasks, integrated and independent. Question 1 is the Integrated Writing question. For this question, you will read a passage and listen to a short lecture before writing your response. Question 2 is the Independent Writing question. For this question, you will express your opinion on an issue. Human raters also evaluate the responses to the Writing tasks via ETS's Online Scoring Network. As is the case with the Speaking section, human scoring is complemented by automated AI scoring to ensure consistent, quality scores. The TOEFL iBT Writing section requires typing. If you cannot type, you should learn how to type as soon as possible.

Why was the TOEFL iBT introduced?
The TOEFL iBT better measures what colleges and universities need to know: a prospective student's ability to use English in an academic setting. The new Speaking section evaluates a person's ability to use spoken English, and the new integrated Writing and Speaking tasks measure the ability to combine information from more than one source and communicate about it. The new integrated tasks that combine more than one skill are designed to reflect how we really use language. By preparing for the TOEFL iBT, students are building the skills that they need in order to use language in an academic setting and communicate with confidence. In the past, language learning focused on learning about the language (especially grammar), and students would receive high scores on tests without necessarily having the ability to communicate. Now teachers and learners understand the importance of learning to use English to communicate, and activities that focus on communication and integrating (combining) skills are very popular in many English language programs.

Is the TOEFL iBT more difficult than the previous TOEFL formats?
Although the TOEFL iBT Reading and Listening sections contain longer passages, the questions are not very different from those on the previous TOEFL formats. The integrated tasks on the TOEFL iBT Speaking and Writing sections may be considered more challenging. However, to succeed academically in English-speaking colleges and universities, students need to be able to combine their language skills in the classroom. The integrated tasks in the TOEFL iBT help learners build the confidence needed to communicate in the academic environments they plan to enter.

What is the structure of the TOEFL iBT?
The test includes four sections and takes about three hours to complete. The chart below shows the timing for each section and the range of questions. The time limit for each section varies according to the number of questions. If the Reading section is short, the Listening section is long, and vice versa.

Section Description Testing Time Questions Score Scale
Reading 3-4 passages from academic texts; approximately 700 words long; 10 questions per passage. 54-72 minutes 30-40 questions 0-30
Listening 3-4 lectures, some with classroom discussion; each 5 minutes long; 6 questions each. 2-3 conversations; each 3 minutes long; 5 questions each. 41-57 minutes 28-39 questions 0-30
Break ... 10 minutes ... ...
Speaking 4 tasks: 1 independent and 3 integrated. 1 task to express an opinion on a familiar topic; 3 tasks to speak based on what is read and listened to. 17 minutes 4 tasks 0-4 points converted to 0-30 score scale
Writing 2 tasks: 1 integrated and 1 independent. 1 task to write based on what is read and listened to; 1 task to support an opinion on a topic. 50 (20+30) minutes 2 tasks 0-5 points converted to 0-30 score scale
Total Score ... ... ... 0-120


How are test questions created?
Language specialists prepare TOEFL test questions and follow rigorous, standardized procedures to ensure that test material is of consistent high quality. Each question is reviewed by several ETS staff members. The TOEFL Committee of Examiners - an independent group of professionals in the fields of linguistics, language testing, and language teaching that reports to the TOEFL Board - establishes guidelines for test content. After test questions have been reviewed and revised, they are administered in trial situations and assembled into tests. Tests are reviewed according to ETS and TOEFL program procedures to ensure that all tests are free of cultural bias. Statistical analyses of individual questions ensure that all items provide appropriate measurement information.

Where can I get writing topics found on the independent writing task for the TOEFL iBT?
Many of the topics that were previously published for the CBT or the PBT are similar to the types of topics found on the independent writing task for the TOEFL iBT. The library section of this website has a list of the actual independent writing topics that were eligible for use on former versions of the TOEFL. What should you do with this list of topics? To prepare for the Writing section of the TOEFL iBT, you should choose topics from the list and practice writing essays in response. After completing your essays, ask your TOEFL instructor to evaluate them against the scoring criteria (writing rubrics, available in the library section of this website) and to give you feedback.

How do I register for the TOEFL iBT?
Walk-in registration at the test center is not available for the TOEFL iBT. You may register either online (a credit/debit card, an e-check, or a PayPal account is required), or by calling our Regional Registration Center (a credit/debit card, an e-check, or a PayPal account is required), or by filling out the TOEFL iBT Registration Form and sending it to ETS by mail. The form is available online on the TOEFL website and can be found in the TOEFL iBT Information Bulletin. The form must be received by ETS at least 4 weeks before your test date. If you register by mail, do not forget to include payment. Terra Nova recommends online registration for the fastest and most convenient service. Online registration is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can register by yourself using a credit or debit card (American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club, Mastercard, or Visa), an electronic check, or a PayPal account. You can use electronic checks only if you have a bank account in the U.S. or its territories. VISA or Mastercard debit cards can be obtained from all Moldovan banks. You will be required to enter identification (ID) information before you can register for the test. Be sure to use the same form of ID that you will bring to the test center. You are required to enter at least 1 form of identification before you can register for a test date. Please note that your ID requirements depend on where you plan to take the test and your citizenship.

How do I create my profile in the TOEFL iBT registration system?
Complete all of the required sections highlighted with an asterisk (*): first/given name, last/family name, date of birth, gender, e-mail address, address, phone, country of birth, native language, country of citizenship, username, and password. For security reasons, you must also answer 1 security question. In case you forget your username or password, you must answer this question to verify your identity. The information that you provide will be kept completely confidential. The spelling of your name must exactly match the name printed on the identification document(s) you will present at the test center, excluding diacritics.

You must create your username and password according to the following rules. Usernames must be between 6 and 16 characters long and may contain both letters and numbers. The username may NOT contain any special characters, such as !, $, #, or %. Passwords must be between 8 and 16 characters long. For added security, they must contain UPPERCASE CHARACTERS (A through Z), lowercase characters (a through z), numeric characters (0 through 9) or special characters (for example, !, $, #, or %). Please note that our password is case-sensitive. Only English characters are allowed, and your password cannot contain your username, first/given name, or last/family name.

How do I register for the TOEFL iBT online?
To register for the TOEFL iBT online, you must first create your profile in the TOEFL iBT registration system, either online (preferred) or through a call service representative, to access all your information in one place. Create your profile before registering for a test. This will allow you to complete your registration more quickly.

After you have created your profile in the TOEFL iBT registration system, you can commence the TOEFL iBT registration process consisting of several steps. You must select a test center, a date, provide identification (ID) information, check profile information and answer background information questions, choose recipients for your test scores, select the appropriate score reporting preference for yourself, review your order, and make your payment. Your choice of available testing sites will depend on your desired location and dates. You are required to enter at least one ID before you can register for a test. You can select up to 4 free score recipients during the registration process. You can add, delete, or change your score recipients no later than 10 p.m., local test center time, the day before your test. Do not include yourself as a recipient. You will be asked whether you want to sign up for the free TOEFL Search Service. You will also be asked to buy test preparation materials created by the makers of the TOEFL iBT. Once you begin the registration process, do NOT use your browser's Back button to return to a previous page. Do NOT double-click any of the buttons, especially while submitting payment.

Will my registration be confirmed?
After you make your payment at the end of the TOEFL iBT registration process, the registration confirmation page with the heading Thank You for Your Order will appear. The registration confirmation contains the date and the time the test will be given and the exact test center address. If you can, print out your registration confirmation and bring it with you to the test center, just in case. You may want to send yourself a copy of the registration confirmation by e-mail. You will also receive an automatic confirmation of your registration by e-mail. The registration confirmation page will also let you view, print, and e-mail yourself a copy of your order receipt if you want confirmation of payment.

How do I select my score recipients?
It is best to select your score recipients (designated institutions to receive your scores) at the time of online registration. In this case, ETS will send your scores to 4 selected score recipients free of charge. You may update this information online free of charge up until 10 p.m., local test center time, the evening before the test day. After that, a charge will be imposed. You will not be able to select your score recipients at the test center. Use the TOEFL Destination Search to find institutions that accept the TOEFL test and their score requirements. If you experience difficulty selecting your score recipients, turn to your TOEFL instructor for assistance.

IMPORTANT:
If you want to be exempted from the English BAC and to receive a grade of 10, choose the National Agency for Curriculum and Evaluation within the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Research of Moldova as one of your score recipients. The Agency code assigned by ETS is B017. Please note that the minimum total TOEFL iBT score required for exemption is 86.


Where can I find a free TOEFL iBT Registration and Information Bulletin?
This important bulletin includes the information that you will need to register for the TOEFL. It can be downloaded free of charge from the TOEFL website. The latest TOEFL iBT Registration and Information Bulletin can also be downloaded from the library section of this website.

Where is our Regional Registration Center?
Regional Registration Centers (RRCs) support the test sites and counseling centers in their region. They are listed on the TOEFL website. Our Regional Registration Center (Region 12) is located in Dundalk, Co Louth, Ireland; its registration phone number is 00-31-320-239-540 (if you call from Moldova); its fax number is 00-31-320-239-541 (if you fax from Moldova). You can also reach it by completing and submitting an easy-to-follow online form that can be accessed on PROMETRIC's Contact Us page. Your submission will be forwarded to a PROMETRIC representative, who will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

When should I register for the TOEFL?
Because test centers fill rapidly during desirable times, it is a good idea to register several months in advance. Registration is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The regular registration deadline is seven days prior to the test date (not including the day of the test). Late registration closes three days prior to the test date (not including the day of the test). Registrations received after the regular registration deadline incur a late fee of U.S. $40. For example, if your test date is October 14, the deadline to register without a late fee is October 7. If you are registering by mail, your registration form must be received at least four weeks before your earliest test date choice. If you are taking the TOEFL iBT as part of the application process for college or university admission, you should plan to take the test early enough for your score to be received by the admission office before the application deadline.

May I reschedule or cancel my registration?
To receive a refund, you must reschedule or cancel 4 full days before your test date (not including the day of the test or the day of your request). For example, if your test is on Saturday, you must call our iBT Regional Registration Center or use the TOEFL iBT online registration system to reschedule or cancel your registration by Tuesday. If your request is not received at least 4 full days in advance, your full test fee will be forfeited. Test administrators are not authorized to make schedule changes. To reschedule, you must provide your registration number and the full name that you used to register. The fee for rescheduling your appointment is U.S. $60. Payment must be received prior to rescheduling. If you cancel your registration by the deadline, you will receive a refund equivalent to half of the original test fee. The remainder of your payment will be retained to cover expenses for processing your registration and holding space at the test center. Refunds will be in U.S. dollars. Cash refunds are not available. Refunds will not be given if you do not follow proper registration procedures and/or fail to present the required identification documents at the test center.

What are the fees for the TOEFL iBT?
The TOEFL iBT registration fee varies by country. The fee for testing in the Republic of Moldova is U.S. $190. It includes one examinee score record (if requested) and four score reports sent to institutions designated when you register. The late registration fee is U.S. $40. If you reschedule your appointment, you will be charged a U.S. $60 rescheduling fee. The reinstatement of canceled iBT scores costs U.S. $20. Additional score report requests (per recipient) cost U.S. $20. TOEFL iBT Speaking or Writing section rescoring costs U.S. $80. TOEFL iBT Speaking and Writing section rescoring costs U.S. $160. The fee for returned payment is U.S. $30.

Fees are subject to change without notice and do not include VAT or other taxes. All payments for tests and services must be paid in full, be made within 90 days, have the correct numeric and written dollar amount, and have appropriate signature(s). You must submit payment in U.S. dollars, Euros, or any other acceptable currency (the list of acceptable currencies is available from the TOEFL website). Payments submitted in other currencies will not be accepted and will be returned.

How may I pay the fees?
The easiest, fastest, and the safest method of payment for the TOEFL iBT is by using Visa, American Express, JCB, Mastercard, or Discover cards (Visa and Mastercard bank cards in U.S. dollars or Euros can be obtained from Moldovan banks. If you decide to pay by credit/debit card, you will need to provide your first/given and last/family names (as they appear on the card), your billing address, and credit/debit card information (card type, number, security ID, and expiration date). Your Visa or Mastercard security ID (card verification code), which makes your credit or debit card transactions more secure, is a 3-digit code that is not embossed like the card number, and is always the final group of numbers printed on the back signature panel of the card. After you submit your credit/debit card information, a screen will appear showing that your order has been paid.

IMPORTANT:
Terra Nova can register you for the TOEFL iBT for a small fee of U.S. $10 in addition to the test fees. In this case, you will not need to obtain Visa or Mastercard and will avoid possible registration problems.


Will I receive a refund if I cancel my registration?
If you cancel your registration by the deadline (4 days before the test date, not including the day of the test or the day of your request), you will receive a refund equivalent to half of the original test fee. The remainder of your payment will be retained to cover expenses for processing your registration and holding space at the test center. Refunds will be in U.S. dollars. Cash refunds are not available. Refunds will not be given if you do not follow proper registration procedures and/or fail to present the required identification documents at the test center. If payment was made by credit/debit card or e-check, the refund will be credited back to the original credit/debit card or bank account. Taxes will be added where applicable.

How is the TOEFL iBT administered?
The TOEFL iBT is offered on a schedule of dates in a network of secure Internet-based test centers throughout the world. Internet-based testing makes it possible to expand the number of test centers in what is already the world's largest testing network. Most areas where the TOEFL iBT is offered have more than 60 administrations a year, but the number varies based on the number of test takers and test center capacity. In the Republic of Moldova, the TOEFL iBT is currently administered at two test centers in Chișinău at least once a month. Test location information is posted on the TOEFL website and is updated regularly. Information about test centers in Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine is provided in the TOEFL section on Terra Nova's website and is regularly updated.

In what room is the test offered?
The room in which the TOEFL iBT is administered is usually a computer lab or a language laboratory. It may be a classroom with about 10-15 computers at least 4 feet apart. When you arrive, you will be assigned a seat. Report to the test center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time. If you arrive late, you may not be admitted, and your test fee will be forfeited. Testing premises are subject to videotaping.

What should I take with me to the test room?
You are NOT permitted to take anything with you when you enter the test room. No cellular phones, paper, dictionaries, pens, or pencils are allowed. The test supervisor will give you a headset, paper, and pencils. All scratch paper must be returned to the test center administrator at the end of the testing session. Before the test, you will receive instructions from test center staff regarding where you must deposit personal items. You will not have access to your personal items during the test or during breaks. Any violation of this procedure during the test or breaks may result in cancellation of your scores, dismissal by the test center staff, or banning from future testing.

What must I bring to the test center?
There is only 1 important thing that you need to bring with you on test day:

In the Republic of Moldova, your valid passport or national ID card is the best identification accepted for admission to the TOEFL. If you do not have a passport or national ID card, you may refer to the TOEFL website for special directions. Your photograph will be taken at the test center and reproduced on all official score reports, along with your signature. Be sure to use the same spelling and order of your name on your registration materials, the test center log that you will sign when you enter and leave the test area, the forms on the computer screens, and any correspondence that you may have with ETS. You should also use the same spelling on applications for schools and documents for agencies that will receive your score reports. Even a small difference can cause serious delays or even denial of the applications.

You may also bring your registration confirmation to the test center, just in case. Return to your online profile and print out your registration confirmation right before the test day. If there is a change in the test center (e.g., a different building than originally scheduled), it will be updated in your profile.

What are test center guidelines, policies, and procedures?
The following information will help you understand test center guidelines, policies, and procedures.

Can I be dismissed from the test center?
You may be dismissed from a test session and/or your scores may be canceled for:

ETS reserves the right to take all action - including but not limited to, barring you from future testing and/or canceling your scores - for failure to comply with test administration regulations or the test administrator's directions. If your scores are canceled, they will not be reported and your fees will not be refunded.

How long is the testing session?
The TOEFL iBT takes about 3.5 hours to administer, including the time required for giving directions and the break between the Listening and the Speaking sections.

Which computer keyboard is used in administering the TOEFL iBT?
The TOEFL iBT is administered on a standard English-language (QWERTY) computer keyboard. QWERTY is the most common modern-day keyboard layout on English-language computer keyboards. It takes its name from the first six letters displayed at the top of the keyboard. We recommend test takers practice typing on a QWERTY computer keyboard before taking the TOEFL iBT.

What should I do if there is no testing due to conditions over which I have no control?
On occasion, weather conditions or other circumstances (for example, electrical power, equipment, or Internet failures) may result in a delayed start or rescheduled test. If your test session is canceled or if it is impossible to report your scores, you can take the test again free of charge or receive a full refund. To register for another test date or claim a full refund, contact ETS by phone or e-mail as soon as possible.

What kinds of questions are found on the TOEFL iBT?
The majority of the questions on the TOEFL iBT are multiple choice. Some other types of questions are also on the iBT. These questions have special directions on the screen. The questions that ask test takers to integrate (combine) two or more skills are probably the most distinguishing feature of the TOEFL iBT. Questions that assess integrated skills require test takers to:

These questions measure the ability of test takers to use English to communicate effectively and succeed in an English-speaking academic environment.

Are there any sample questions?
Terra Nova's TOEFL iBT class book provides you with model TOEFL iBT tests for practice and a comprehensive review of all TOEFL iBT sections. Sample questions are also available on the TOEFL website and in the TOEFL section of this website. You can tour the test free of charge and see sample questions for each of the 4 sections. You can also join TOEFL Practice Online for a fee. Additional sample TOEFL iBT tests are also available free of charge from Terra Nova.

Are TOEFL iBT questions the same everywhere on the same date?
The test is the same for everyone at a given time - no matter where you are located. On the same date, test takers in Canada or the United States and test takers in the Republic of Moldova are taking the same test. The only difference is that some of the examinees will have a longer Reading section, while others will have a longer Listening section.

Why are some of the Reading and Listening sections longer?
The test developers include experimental questions for either the Reading or the Listening section on most TOEFL forms. You must do your best on all the questions because you will not know which questions are experimental and which are test questions that will be scored. For example, you may be taking the iBT with someone who has experimental questions in Reading, but you may have experimental questions in Listening. For this reason, your friend's test may have a longer Reading section, and your test may have a longer Listening section. The experimental questions may be at the beginning, middle, or end of the section.

May I choose the order of the sections on my TOEFL iBT?
NO, you may not choose the order. Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing are tested in that order on the TOEFL iBT, with a 10-minute break between the Listening and the Speaking sections.

May I take notes?
YES, you are permitted to take notes and use them to answer the questions on the TOEFL iBT. This is consistent with what many students do when they attend academic lectures. You will be given paper for that purpose when you enter the test room. Your notes will be collected and shredded after the test.

May I change an answer?
On the Listening section, you can change your answer by clicking on a new answer. You can change your answer as many times as you wish until you click on the Confirm Answer button. On the Reading section, you can change your answer by clicking on the new answer. You can change your answer as many times as you wish, and you can go back to previous answers within the whole section. On the Speaking section, you will be cued with a beep to begin and end speaking. Everything that you say during the recording time will be submitted. You cannot change an answer. On the Writing section, you can revise your essays as much as you wish until the clock indicates that no time is remaining. If you submit your essays before time is up, you cannot return to them.

If I am not sure of an answer, should I guess?
If you are not sure of an answer, you should guess. The number of incorrect answers is not subtracted from your score. First, eliminate all the possibilities that you know are NOT correct. Then, if you are almost sure of an answer, guess that one. If you have no idea of the correct answer for a question, choose one letter and use it for your "guess answer" throughout the entire examination. The "guess answer" is especially useful for finishing a section quickly.

What should I do if I cannot hear the audio for the Listening section?
You will receive your own headphones with a microphone attached. Before the Listening section begins, you will have an opportunity to adjust the volume yourself. Be careful to adjust the volume when you are prompted to do so. If you wait until the test begins, you may not be able to adjust it. If there is a problem with your headset, raise your hand, and ask the test supervisor to provide you with another headset.

What should I do if I have a personal problem during the test?
If you become ill or you are being disturbed by the behavior of another person in the room, tell your test supervisor immediately. If you think that your score may be affected by the problem, ask the supervisor to file an Irregularities Report.

Are breaks scheduled during the TOEFL iBT?
A mandatory 10-minute break is scheduled between the Listening and the Speaking sections. If you exceed the time allotted, you may be dismissed or your score may be canceled. To leave your seat at any time other than the break, raise your hand. Timing of the test section will not stop. If you must leave the testing room, you are required to show the administrator your identification document(s) before you leave the room and when you return. You cannot have access to your cellphone during the test or during breaks.

How often may I take the TOEFL iBT?
You may take the TOEFL iBT more than once to score to your satisfaction. If you could take the PBT and the CBT once a month, you are now permitted to take the TOEFL iBT once within a 3-day period (the Repeat Policy for the TOEFL iBT was changed 3 times in January 2013, January 2014, and July 2019; before it was allowed to take the TOEFL iBT test once in 7, 21, and 12 days, respectively). If a test taker has an existing test appointment, he or she cannot register for another test date that is within 3 days of the existing appointment. Violation of this policy will result in your scores being canceled, your test fee will be forfeited, and you may be banned from future testing. There is no passing or failing test score - score requirements are set by each higher education institution or agency.

If I have already taken the TOEFL, how will the previous scores affect my new score?
TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years. If you have taken the TOEFL more than once but your first score report is more than 2 years ago, the first score will not be reported. If you have taken the TOEFL more than once in the past 2 years, a report will be sent for the test date that you request.

May I keep my test?
NO, you can neither save your test to a compact disk or a USB flash card nor send it to an e-mail address. If you try to do so, ETS may take legal action.

What happens to someone who cheats on the TOEFL iBT?
Entering the room with false identification, tampering with the computer, using a camera, giving or receiving help, or trying to remove test materials or notes is considered cheating. Do NOT cheat. In spite of opportunity, knowledge that others are doing it, the desire to help a friend, or fear that you will not make a good score, do not cheat. Cheating on the TOEFL iBT is a very serious matter. If you are discovered, you will be dismissed from the room, your score will be canceled, and you may not be able to take the test again on a future date.

What should I do to earn a score on the TOEFL iBT?
To earn a score on the TOEFL iBT, you must do all of the following:

How is the total TOEFL iBT score calculated?
The iBT has converted section scores for each of the 4 sections. The range for each section score is 0-30. When the scores for the 4 sections are added together, the total score range will be 0-120.

What TOEFL iBT scores are considered acceptable?
You cannot pass or fail the TOEFL iBT. Each institution that requires TOEFL scores decides for itself what scores or ranges of scores are acceptable. These requirements vary from institution to institution, depending on such factors as your field of study, your financial situation, your level of study (graduate or undergraduate), whether you will be a teaching or research assistant, and whether the institution offers special courses in English as a foreign or second language. If you have questions about how your scores have been used or interpreted, contact the institutions or agencies that received your test results directly. Many universities are setting minimum requirements for each section. The following range of requirements is typical of admissions policies for North American colleges and universities. This assumes, of course, that the applicant's documents other than English proficiency are acceptable.

How do the scores compare on the iBT, CBT, and PBT formats?
The following chart compares TOEFL scores on the 3 most recent formats - the Internet-based TOEFL (TOEFL iBT), the computer-based TOEFL (TOEFL CBT), and the paper-based TOEFL (TOEFL PBT). More detailed charts are posted on the TOEFL website and are available from Terra Nova.

iBT CBT PBT
120 300 677
110 270 637
100 250 603
90 233 577
80 213 550
70 193 523
60 170 497
50 143 463
40 120 433
30 93 397
20 63 350
10 33 310
0 0 310


How and when do I get my scores?
Your TOEFL test payment entitles you to 1 printed (only if you request a paper copy) and 1 online examinee score record and up to 4 official score reports that ETS will send directly to the institutions or agencies you designate while registering for the test. Scores are posted online approximately 10 days after the test date (with a few exceptions) and then mailed to you and your designated score recipients. Score reports are mailed to recipients approximately 13 days after the test date. A score report posting schedule for each test administration is available on the TOEFL iBT website. Test results cannot be given any sooner than 10 days after the test date. Allow 7 to 10 days for delivery of mail within the continental United States and at least 2-3 weeks for delivery of mail from the United States to the Republic of Moldova.

May I cancel my scores?
At the end of the test session, you will be given the option to cancel your scores. You cannot cancel your score for one section of the test and have the scores for the remaining sections reported. Although you have the option to cancel your scores, consider very carefully before doing so. Your scores will be reported to institutions only at your request. If you cancel your scores, they will NOT be reported to you or any institutions, and no refund will be made. If you cancel your scores, you may have them reinstated, provided that your request is received at ETS within 60 days of your test date. The reinstatement of canceled iBT scores costs U.S. $20. Reinstated scores are reported online about 3 weeks after your request is received. Your score report will then be mailed to you and your designated institutions.

How can I send additional score reports?
If you need more than 4 score reports, which are provided as part of your test fee, you may order more at $20 each. Order online (preferred) or mail in the order form that you will find in your TOEFL iBT Registration and Information Bulletin. Reports are sent in 4-7 business days when you order them online. Allow at least 2 weeks for mail orders. Allow 7 to 10 days for delivery of mail within the continental United States and additional time for delivery to other areas.

Is there a direct correspondence between proficiency in English and a TOEFL iBT score?
There is not always a direct correspondence between proficiency in English and a score on the TOEFL iBT. Many students who are proficient in English are not proficient in how to approach the examination. That is why your TOEFL iBT preparation at Terra Nova is crucial for your success on the test.

How long are TOEFL iBT scores valid?
TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years. Because language proficiency can change considerably in a relatively short period of time, scores more than 2 years old cannot be reported or verified. If you took the TOEFL more than 2 years ago and need to submit scores to an agency or institution, you must take the test again to have your scores reported.

Can I estimate my TOEFL iBT score before I take the actual test?
After you take 4 TOEFL iBT simulations administered at Terra Nova during the last two months of your 15-week TOEFL iBT preparation program, your TOEFL instructor will provide you with a reliable estimate of your TOEFL iBT score.

How is the Speaking section scored?
The responses to all Speaking tasks are digitally recorded and sent to ETS's Online Scoring Network. The responses from each test taker are scored by 3 to 6 different certified raters. The response for each task is rated on a scale of 0 to 4 according to the standards (speaking rubrics, available on Terra Nova's website). The average of all 4 ratings is converted to a scaled score of 0 to 30. Raters evaluate the test taker's ability in topic development, delivery, and language use. For topic development, raters consider whether the test taker has addressed the task and conveyed relevant information. They also consider whether the test taker has effectively synthesized and summarized the information in the integrated tasks. Raters evaluate if the delivery of the response is clear and smooth, and whether the delivery is consistent throughout the response for overall intelligibility. Lastly, raters evaluate the range and accuracy of the test taker's vocabulary and grammar. It is important to note that raters do not expect test takers' responses to be perfect. Even high-scoring responses may contain occasional errors and minor problems in any of the 3 areas described above.

How is the Writing section scored?
ETS uses both human raters and automated scoring methods to offer a complete and accurate picture of a test taker's ability. While automated scoring models have advantages, they do not measure the effectiveness of the language response and the appropriateness of its content. Human raters are needed to attend to a wider variety of features, such as the quality of ideas and content as well as form. The responses to both Writing tasks are sent to ETS's Online Scoring Network. Each response is scored holistically by 2 to 4 certified raters on a scale of 0 to 5 according to the standards (writing rubrics, available in this book and on Terra Nova's website). The average of the scores on the 2 writing tasks is converted to a scaled score of 0 to 30. The response to the integrated writing task is scored on the quality of the writing (organization and appropriate and precise use of grammar and vocabulary) and the completeness and accuracy of the content. The independent writing essay is scored on the overall quality of the writing (development, organization, and appropriate and precise use of grammar and vocabulary). ETS raters recognize that the responses are first drafts. They do not expect test takers to produce well-researched, comprehensive essays. This is the reason why a test taker can earn a high score with responses that contain some errors.

What is ETS?
Educational Testing Service (ETS) is the world's largest private, nonprofit educational testing and measurement organization, operating on an annual budget exceeding U.S. $1 billion. The mission of ETS is to advance quality and equity in education for all people worldwide by providing fair and valid assessments, research, and related services. ETS helps teachers teach, students learn, and parents measure the educational and intellectual progress of their children. ETS develops various standardized examinations primarily in the United States, but it also administers tests such as TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), GRE (Graduate Record Examination) in most nations. Many of the assessments it develops are associated with entry to U.S. undergraduate and graduate educational institutions. ETS develops, administers, and scores more than 50 million tests each year in the U.S. and more than 180 other countries. Much of the work carried out by ETS is contracted by a private, nonprofit organization called the College Board. The most popular of the College Board's tests is the SAT, taken by more than 3 million students annually. As well as test development, ETS also carries out internationally recognized educational research. The international campus-like headquarters of ETS is in Princeton Township, New Jersey; processing, shipping, customer service and test security is in nearby Ewing, New Jersey. It also has offices in California, Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas, and Washington, D.C. More than 3,200 employees work at ETS's offices throughout the United States and the world. More than 2,300 of ETS's professional staff have training and expertise in education, psychology, statistics, psychometrics, computer science, sociology, and the humanities. Of these, around 1,000 have advanced degrees, and 390 hold doctorates.

Will I succeed on the TOEFL iBT?
You will receive from your study what you give to your study. Terra Nova can give you the information that you need to succeed. Now, it is up to you to devote the time and the effort. More than 2,000 students from the Republic of Moldova and several other countries have succeeded by taking the TOEFL Preparation course at Terra Nova. You can be successful too.