Test-Taking Strategies for Computer-Based TOEFL How Computer-adaptive testing is different from traditional paper testing You see one question at a time.. You cannot skip questions in t
Trang 1TOEFL STUDY GUIDE
PART 1 ORIENTATION
1 Test-Taking Strategies for Computer-Based TOEFL
How Computer-adaptive testing is different from traditional paper
testing
You see one question at a time
You cannot skip questions in the adaptive portions of the test
(Listening and Structure)
You cannot change answers to previously answered questions in the adaptive portions of the test (Listening and Structure)
Can't skip/can't change An examinee cannot go back to a previous question because his or her answer to the question helps determine the difficulty level
of the next question given A simpler way of explaining this is to say that the test scores are being built as you go through the test, so going back would destroy what has already been built (However, the Reading section is linear, and you can skip/change answers in that portion of the test.)
Trang 2Some test takers are uncomfortable with this; however, they receive an assessment that is tailored to their ability level and do not spend time answering questions that are too easy or too difficult for them;
Can respond incorrectly to several questions and still receive
a high score;
Receive fewer questions than on paper test
The total testing time is approximately 4 - 4.5 hours, but this depends on how quickly each test taker works through the test The time limit for each section is very generous so it is not a speeded exam for most test takers You should be aware of the implications for exiting a section (They will not
be able to return to that section.)
You should try to answer every question in each section because the scoring takes into account the number of questions answered in each section It is to your advantage to carefully consider and answer as many questions as you can
You should use effective time management each section has an overall time limit The directions at the beginning of each test section specify the total number of questions in the section and the time allowed for the section The time remaining in the test can be displayed throughout the test You
Trang 3should pay attention to the number of questions and the amount of time remaining to be sure they are making good progress through the test
2 Registration Tips 1 - 2
Tip 1 - Have you registered for the TOEFL test?
Be sure to order the free TOEFL Bulletin directly from ETS at
http://www.toefl.org or check out our website for this information
under http://toefl.telecampus.com/bulletins.html
Be sure to order a free TOEFL Sampler (a practice CD Rom) from
ETS at http://www.toefl.org
Tip 2 - Overview of Computer-based TOEFL test
The length of the test session is approximately four (4) hours
There is a tutorial section which on average takes 40 minutes to
complete but is untimed
There is a Listening Section which takes 40-60 minutes and has 30-
50 questions
There is a Structure Section which takes 15-20 minutes and has 20-
25 questions
There is then a 10 minute break
Trang 4There is a Reading Section which takes 70-90 minutes and has 44-60 questions
There is the Writing Section which takes 30 minutes and has 1 essay question
3 Tutorials Tip 3
There are seven (7) tutorial lessons
Basic computer skill tutorial:
1 Using a mouse
2 Scrolling (moving text up and down)
3 Using testing tools (icons for displaying the time clock, for
getting help, etc.)
Section Tutorials
4 How to answer Listening
5 How to answer Structure
6 How to answer Reading
7 How to answer Writing
4 Scores Tip 4
The new computer-based test offers you a quicker response to
getting your scores You will see PART of your score at the end of
Trang 5the test and can select up to 3 institutions for your scores to be sent for free at that time Your final score will be calculated and sent to you in up to 3 weeks if you submit your essay by computer;
however, if you handwrite the essay, it will take a bit longer to get your scores
The new score scales are different than the paper-based test:
Listening: 0-30
Structure/Writing: 0-30
Reading: 0-30
Total: 0-300
Essay rating is included in the Structure/Writing score and also reported separately on a scale of 1.0-6.0
When the test is completed, you have a choice to view your scores
on the screen (they will be unofficial scores which do not include the essay.) You will see scores for Listening and Reading and the
Structure/Writing and Total scores will be shown only as RANGES because the essay will not have been scored yet You can also
choose up to four score recipients from the type-down list