"TOEFL is a standardized test of English for academic purposes, and is commonly used in university programs as a benchmark of proficiency in English for entrance requirements"

TOEFL is a basic requirement for assessing proficiency in the English language (as is spoken in North America ) of all those who wish to apply for higher studies in the US and whose native language is not English.

You would need the TOEFL scores while applying for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

The TOEFL – iBT [Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet Based Test] has been introduced in some locations within India starting April 2006.

The new TOEFL – iBT is a linear and computer adaptive test. This means that all candidates answer questions from the same range of difficulty, rather than receiving only questions at the ability level.

The new TOEFL iBT tests all four language skills that are important for effective com munication; speaking, listening, reading and writing. There is no longer a structure section. Grammar is tested on questions and tasks in each section.

The test has a new speaking section, which includes independent and integrated tasks. Test takers will need to speak into a microphone when they respond. The responses are digitally recorded and transmitted toETS's Online Scoring Network, where they are evaluated. In the writing section, you must write a response to questions, (materials) they have heard and read, and to compose an essay in sup port of an opinion.

It also now requires typ ing. There is an integrated task in addition to the cur rent independent task, and the scoring guides (rubrics) used for rating are different from the current test. Also, test takers can now take notes on any section of the test and can use the notes when giving answers. The Test fee for TOEFL iBT is 140$.

Sample practice test and other resources are available on:www.ets.org/toeflpractice.

For up-to-date information you can visit TOEFL website:www.ets.org/toefl.

Test Locations for TOEFL-iBT [Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet Based Test] in India

The Test centres for TOEFL-iBT [Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet Based Test] in India are:

• Ahmedabad.
• Allahabad .
• Bangalore .
• Calcutta .
• Chennai.
• Coimbatore .
• Hyderabad .
• Indore .
• Ludhiana .
• Mumbai.
• Nagpur .
• New Delhi .
• Trivandrum .
• Vijayawada .
• Visakhapatnam .

The test talkers can register Online, by phone and by mail. The forms can be downloaded from the TOEFL website: www.ets.org/toefl.