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General Information

• It is made up of Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections.
• It will take you about four hours in total from start to finish.
•  For the Speaking section, you speak into a microphone and your responses are digitally recorded and sent to the ETS Online Scoring Network.
• For the Writing section, you will type your responses, which are sent to the ETS Online Scoring Network.
• Human raters, trained and certified by ETS, rate the Speaking and Writing responses.
• The test is not is not computer adaptive.
•  You can take notes throughout the whole test.

Grammar

•  There is no stand-alone Grammar section.
• Grammar is tested wholly within the four skill areas.
• In comparison to previous versions of the TOEFL, the addition of a speaking section and expansion of the writing section requires students to communicate in original English.
• New integrated-skills questions test ability to learn, to integrate information across multiple tests.
• They are more difficult and more reflective of actual academic English.

Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing

• The Reading section consists of about 3–5 passages (About 700 words each), with 12–14 questions each section.
• There are about fifty questions in the whole section, and it will take you about 60-100 minutes to complete.
• The Listening section consists of 4–6 lectures with about 6 questions per lecture, as well as 2–3 conversations with 5 questions per conversation.
• The Speaking section sees you doing two independent tasks and four integrated tasks, two of which are reading/listening/speaking while the other two are just listening/speaking.
• The Writing section requires you to do one integrated writing task and one independent writing task.

Scoring

•   TOEFL iBT provides five scores: four sections scores for Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking and a total score.
• Each section is on a 0-30 scale.
•  The total score is the sum of the four section scores.
• The range of total scores could be anywhere from 0-120.
• It is valid for two years.
• You may take the TOEFL iBT test only once in any seven-day period, even if you took the test and canceled your scores.
• The normal fee to take the TOEFL test is US$110. However, it varies based on country.
• To register for your test, please visit www.ets.org/toefl.

If in-person or online TOEFL tutoring through Manhattan Review is not a possibility for you, study guides for this exam are critical.  Many students often are confused as to what medium to pursue in regards to a TOEFL study guide: textbook, audio CDs, Internet practice program or computer-based practice tests and quizzes.

It’s highly recommended that you get some practice with this exam on a computer, since most of you will be taking the iBt version, which is solely computer-based.  After all, reading an academic article on a monitor is a very different experience from reading on regular paper.  Often times, it’s easier to get lost in our reading when we read on the computer, in addition we tend to slower.  Even if you are just reading encyclopedia articles online, it will be useful practice for you in the long run.

In regards to TOEFL study books, here are some options for you with comprehensive breakdowns to help you find your way in the bookstore!

Manhattan Review’s Integrated Study Guide: Turbocharge Your TOEFL

By Joern Meissner & Tracy C. Yun

This study book, published through Manhattan Review, not only breaks down TOEFL question types and the test itself, but also focuses on common American idioms, useful vocabulary, grammar review, accent reduction, in addition to special sections on the use of articles and prepositions.

Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test

By Deborah Phillips

This book is a unique two-for-one deal, as the 2^nd edition (preferred) comes with a CD-Rom, so you are able to get your practice both on the page and on the screen.  This book is broken down in our test sections (reading, listening, speaking & writing), first with a broad overview with general suggestions, and then complete breakdowns and subsequent exercises with skills.  Also included are two complete, full-length TOEFL tests, in addition to three appendixes: Cohesion, Sentence Structure and Error Correction.  In the very back of the book, in addition to a very clear answer key, is a final section about diagnosis, assessment, and scoring.  Please note, the audio CD for this textbook is sold separately, so keep that in mind when purchasing this book.

Delta’s Key to the Next Generation TOEFL Test: Six Practice Tests for the iBt

By Nancy Gallagher

While this is a practice test-only book, Delta publishes some great material about the TOEFL that is used all over the world.  In particular, many students claim the Delta TOEFL exercises are somewhat harder than the actual TOEFL exam, so in many ways it sets the bar high prior to test day.  (Please note, Delta publishes an “Advanced Skills” book, as well, for advanced students.)  CDs for the listening, speaking and writing sections must be purchased separately, but are well worth it, as the lectures make great additions to your mp3 or i-pods to buff up your listening skills.

What’s the ultimate advice when it comes to practicing for the TOEFL at home?  Practicing every day is certainly important, but keep in mind that you don’t want to burn yourself out.  Students can sometimes grow overwhelmed very quickly with the academic listening and reading material this tests contains, so too much of this work all at once can have an adverse affect.  Also, focus on a skill-by-skill basis, devoting so many hours a day to reading, writing, speaking or listening.  (However, feel free to add some variety by warming up your study session with independent speaking questions or outlining independent essays.)

General Information

• The LSAT is the standardized achievement examination for law school admissions in the United States and is produced by LSAC, Inc.
• It was first administered in 1948 and has remained one of the most consistent and standardized of all entrance exams.
• The LSAT has historically consisted of 3 multiple-choice types and an essay; the multiple choice section types are Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, and Logic Games.
• The LSAT is required for admission to LSAC-member law schools, most Canadian law schools, and many non–ABA–approved law schools.

Scoring

•  It is a 3.5 to 4 hour test and can be taken at any one of many test centers in the United States and around the world 4 times a year.
•  The LSAT composite score ranges from 120 to 180 and is drawn from the four scored multiple choice sections.
• There is no penalty for incorrect answers on the LSAT.
• The writing section does not get factored into the composite score.
• A 35-minute writing sample is administered at the end of the test. LSAC does not score the writing sample, but copies of the writing sample are sent to all law schools to which you apply.
• The writing sample is the cover sheet for your application when it is submitted by LSAC and is seriously evaluated.

Standards and Norms to Know

•  It can be taken as many times as desired, but law schools prefer applicants to have tested fewer than three times.
• Applicants with multiple scores are assessed by law schools by varying standards, with some schools taking an average, others taking highest score, and others taking newest score.
• The average and most popular LSAT score for nearly all administrations is 151.
• Only individuals with serious intention of applying for law school admission may take the LSAT.
• The test measures a student’s aptitude in those disciplines required in the legal profession: understanding and creating solid arguments, logical thinking, and document analysis.
• It costs $127 to register for a single LSAT administration.  An additional fee of $12.00 per law school is charged for score reports. The LSAT is held only 4 times a year (June, September/October, December, and February)

Administration

While the speaking section appears to cause a lot of worry in many students looking to take the TOEFL, it’s best understood when able to tackle the section on a question-by-question basis.  This article is going to explore TOEFL Speaking Question #5.  Here’s what we know about this question:

• it involves a conversation between a male and female
• it does not have a reading component
• you have 20 seconds to prepare; 60 seconds to respond
• your opinion is required at the end of the response

Here are some tips to help you get the high score of a 4 on Question #5, in particular.

Tip 1: Note-taking.  Divide your page in two sections: MALE and FEMALE. In one column, write down whatever you are able to in regards to what the male speaker is saying. In the second column; write whatever you are able to that the female speaker is saying.  This way, by dividing the speaker’s contributions you are clear what each is saying and are able to connect the thoughts right in front of you during the speaking section.  Also, keep in mind you must take notes in the order the information is presented to you – disorganized notes can and will create chaos on the TOEFL!

Tip 2:  Question #5 is an integrated speaking task; however, unlike Question #3 & #4, there is no 45-second reading passage that appears before the conversation.  This means you do not need to acknowledge the reading in any sense because there isn’t any information to incorporate!  (This is a good thing – trust me.)

Tip 3:  Your preparation time is 20 seconds and your speaking time is 60 seconds.  You are given 10 seconds less to prepare than on Question #3 & #4 because of the absence of a reading component, so you will need to prepare a bit faster than the previous two questions.  During this 20-second preparation time, you should organize your notes in the manner you plan on presenting them.  Sometimes numbering notes in the order you intend on delivering them is useful for students, while others prefer to spend time scanning over all the information as it’s written.

Tip 4:  The opinion portion of Question #5 often throws students off, as they assume all giving of opinions is over after Question #1 & #2, the independent prompts.  Most of the time, the opinion part of Question #5 will read: What do you think the male (or female) student should do, and why?  This will involve you choosing an option offered in the conversation from one student to the other and stating your reasoning for choosing that option.

An example of a high-scoring response to Question #5 reads, as follows:

“The conversation is in regards to the changing of the library hours at a university campus.  The female student is distressed about the change in library hours because she often likes to study at night.  She goes on to say some days during the week, the only time she actually has to go to the library is late due to her part-time job.  The male student offers several suggestions to her in regards to her problem.  He recommends she speak with the library staff about the reasoning behind the change in hours, and if that doesn’t work, he thinks she should talk to the college dean about this change.  I think the woman should go directly to the college dean because the dean will be able to attend to the issue in a direct way, which will ultimately and hopefully get the results the woman needs.”

In the above response, I have italicized the opinion portion, making it clear that the opinion can also serve as your conclusion.

Remember: Question #5 will always be a conversation about a university-related problem, so keep in mind university lingo (library, dean, dorm room, etc.) will be inevitable.

General Information

• It’s about three-hours long and you can take it at any one of many test centers in the United States at any time, or even around the world up to five or six times a year– but you can only take it once a month, and up to five times per twelve-month period.
• If you take it multiple times, all your scores will be evaluated by the admissions officers for your chosen programs.
• Some programs will put greater weight on the higher score and be more impressed by a significant increase in score than two similar scores.
• Other programs will choose to judge applicants by the highest scores in each section.
• Averaging scores is uncommon.

Scoring and Registration 

• The test is computer-adaptive, and leaving questions blank is very detrimental to your score.
• You will score anywhere between 400 and 1600.
• The national mean GRE score is about 462 in Verbal, 584 in Quantitative and 4 for the writing assessment.
•  GRE registration occurs on a first-come, first-served basis at ETS.org.
• Do expect to register at least a week in advance of your test date.
• The GRE registration fee in the US is $160 as of January 1, 2010, and ETS will reduce this fee in special circumstances.
• The fee is higher in China, Hong Kong, India and other non-US test locations.
•  It has typically gone up $10 in price every year.

Bg Changes to the GRE

• On August 1, 2011 drastic changes in scoring, design, and test content were implemented.
• Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning will shift from a 200-800 score scale measured in 10-point increments, to a 130-170 score scale in 1-point increments.
•  Why? Scores will be more accurate to the abilities of the test taker and no longer overstate small differences between examinees.

• Recent technology changes which have an affect on the design of the test.
•  New response formats such as increased data entry
• A tag for review option which allows you to skip a difficult question and return to it later without affecting your score,
• A preview and review capacity that enables you to scan ahead in the section you are working on, edit features so that you may change an answer after submitting it while working on the same section, and an on-screen calculator for the math portion of the test.

Content Changes

• Here is some information into how the content of the three major sections of the GRE has changed.
• The Verbal section will eliminate all questions on antonyms and analogies
• The Quantitative section will place greater emphasis on computation and analysis of data that is likely to relate to real-life scenarios
• The Analytical Writing will still have two parts, including a question for logical analysis and personal opinion, the questions themselves will be more focused, ultimately allowing the raters to know the answer wasn’t memorized, but was actually written in response to the question.

Rescheduling

• You must reschedule or cancel your test no later than three full days before your appointment (not including the day of your test or the day of your request) or your test fee will be forfeited.
• If you cancel your test no later than three full days prior to your test date, you will receive a refund equivalent to half of the original test fee.  Otherwise, you will receive no refund.
• If you wish to change your test center, contact the GRE® Program by the registration deadline.
• The fee for changing your test center is $50.
• Center changes cannot be guaranteed but will be made as space permits.
• You cannot reschedule between sites served by different Regional Registration Centers.

Score Reports

• Requested score reports are sent to schools within 10-15 days after the exam
• All non-cancelled GRE testing administrations will be listed (and usable) in your ETS record for 5 years
•  You cannot cancel reporting a score to ETS after viewing it. At the end of your GRE administration, you will report your scores to ETS, and you can choose to submit your scores directly to up to four institutions without additional cost
• For any additional score reports, the cost is $23 per report.
• You cannot send your multiple choice scores without the writing scores. You scores are valid for five years.