PREPARING STUDENTS for the Computer- Based Test Test of English as a Foreign Language For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org TOEFL Tips: Preparing Students for the Computer-Based Test has been created for ESL/EFL instructors and educational advisors so they can help students prepare for the computer-based TOEFL ® test. It has been prepared by Educational Testing Service (ETS), which develops and scores the TOEFL test. TOEFL Tips can help students do their best on the test. However, it is not meant to replace the TOEFL Information Bulletin for Computer-Based Testing, which contains information students need to make appointments for and become familiar with the test. If you wish to download this booklet, visit the TOEFL Web site at www.toefl.org. To join the TOEFL mailing list (Internet or postal), enter the requested information at www.toefl.org/edindx.html. Preparing Students for the Computer-Based Test For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org NOTE – This publication was prepared by TOEFL staff for educational purposes. It is available free of charge for reprinting to nonprofit educational and research organizations under the following provisions: ● Reproduction must be in printed paper format. The publication is not for Web or software use. ● It must be reprinted in its entirety. ● Distribution must be free of charge and for educational purposes. ● “Reprinted by permission of the TOEFL program, Educational Testing Service” must be printed on the front cover of the reprinted version. Permission requests to reprint free of charge should be made online (www.toefl.org/copyrigh.html) or sent to: Proprietary Rights Office Educational Testing Service Rosedale Road Princeton, NJ 08541-0001 Educational Testing Service is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Copyright © 1999 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE, ETS, the ETS logo, POWERPREP, TOEFL, the TOEFL logo, TSE, and TWE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service. The modernized ETS logo is a trademark of Educational Testing Service. SYLVAN is a registered trademark of Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. ® For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Benefits of TOEFL on computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Section A: Steps in Preparing for the Computer-Based TOEFL Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Step 1: Obtain TOEFL materials in order to begin test preparation . . . . . . 7 Step 2: Learn about the changes in the test format, how the test is structured, and what each test section measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 User-friendly tutorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Timing of test sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Test format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Listening section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Structure section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Reading section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Writing section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Step 3: Learn how computer-based testing works and is scored . . . . . . . . . . 14 Computer-adaptive testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 How the computer-adaptive sections are scored . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Computerized nonadaptive testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Step 4: Use test-taking strategies that will allow them to do their best . . . . 15 General test-taking strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Special strategies for each section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 For the Listening section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 For the Structure section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 For the Reading section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 For the Writing section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Section B: Questions Frequently Asked by Students . . . . . . 21 Section C: More About the Essay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Essay ratings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Sample writing topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Sample essays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 (continued) For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org Section D: About the Test Scores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Score scales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 New score requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Score calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Calculation of the Structure/Writing score . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 At the end of the exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Concordance Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Using the concordance tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 TOEFL Bulletins and Study Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 How to Contact the TOEFL Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Table of Contents (continued) For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org 5 Introduction Educational Testing Service (ETS ® ) is a nonprofit organization committed to the development and administration of testing programs, and the creation of advisory and instructional services. In addition to developing tests, it supplies related services; for example, it scores the tests; records, stores, and reports test results; performs validity and other statistical studies; and undertakes program research. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ® ) is designed to evaluate the English proficiency of people whose native language is not English. TOEFL scores are required for admissions purposes by more than 2,400 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and eighty other countries. Because the TOEFL test is independent of any curriculum or teaching method, the proficiency level of any test taker can be compared with that of any other student or group of students regardless of academic background or English training. Since 1964, TOEFL test has been taken more than 11 million times in over 180 countries. In 1998 TOEFL began its switch to computer. Over the years, many institutions had asked ETS for additional proficiency information, including an estimate of candidates’ productive skills and ability to perform more cognitively challenging tasks. In redesigning the test for computer, the TOEFL program has taken an important first step in that direction. The test consists of four sections: Listening, Structure, Reading, and Writing. Two sections, Listening and Structure, are computer-adaptive, which means questions are tailored to examinees’ proficiency levels. Therefore, students will receive fewer questions that are too easy or too difficult in those sections and candidates’ ability can be estimated more accurately. While the Structure section features the same types of questions used in the paper-based TOEFL test, the Listening and Reading sections feature some new, innovative types of questions in addition to traditional multiple-choice questions. The Writing section, which assesses the ability to compose a written response to an assigned essay topic, is now a required part of the test. In July 1998 students in these areas started taking the computer-based test (CBT): Africa North America Mongolia Australia Some of Asia: Nepal Europe Brunei Darussalam Philippines Latin America Indonesia Singapore Middle East Malaysia Sri Lanka As a result of its first year of experience, the TOEFL program has made adjustments to its original CBT testing plans by reintroducing paper-based testing on a temporary basis in several of the areas listed above. This helps provide access to the test in areas where it has been difficult to coordinate mobile computer-based testing. These “supplemental” paper-based administrations take place several times during the testing year; the number of administrations at a given center is dependent on historical test-taker patterns and volumes. The Test of Written English (TWE ® ) is offered at each supplemental administration. The TOEFL Information Bulletin for Computer-Based Testing contains information on permanent and supplemental testing centers. Because supplemental paper-based testing has been reintroduced to replace mobile computer testing, a Supplemental Bulletin is available for the affected areas. Both Bulletins can be downloaded from the TOEFL Web site or can be obtained from local educational advisors and other Bulletin distribution offices. In October 2000 the computer-based test will be introduced in the areas listed below. Bangladesh Japan Pakistan Cambodia Korea Taiwan Hong Kong Laos Thailand India/Bhutan Macau Vietnam The computer test will be introduced in the People’s Republic of China in 2002-03. For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org 6 Benefits of TOEFL on computer By introducing the computer-based TOEFL test, ETS’s main goal is to provide a more complete picture of a candidate’s proficiency in English: ● Assessment that is better tailored to each test taker’s ability level — a test that is appropriately challenging, with fewer questions that are too easy or too difficult ● An essay with every test administration ● Context-setting visuals and topic orientation during the Listening section ● Individual headphones and volume control ● Listening and reading sections that require candidates to demonstrate their comprehension by performing specific tasks Additional benefits include: ● Year-round testing in many locations ● Scheduling of appointments by phone ● Testing in comfortable, computer-equipped testing stations ● Enhanced test security ● Smaller proctor/examinee ratios ● Immediate viewing of unofficial scores on screen (except for essays) ● Opportunity to choose score recipients after seeing unofficial scores ● Faster reporting of official scores if examinees type the essay — scores sent from ETS about two weeks after testing For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org 7 Section A: Steps in Preparing for the Computer-Based TOEFL Test No single school, textbook, or teaching method is best to help prepare someone for the TOEFL test because it is not based on a special course of study. The test is designed to measure proficiency in English, which can only be achieved after a relatively long period of study and practice. Instructors and advisors can help students prepare for and do their best on the computer-based TOEFL test by helping them understand what the new exam is like. The process can be broken down into four steps. Steps in preparing for the computer-based TOEFL test Students should 1. obtain TOEFL materials in order to begin test preparation 2. learn about the changes in the test format, how the test is structured, and what each test section measures 3. learn how computer-based testing works and is scored 4. use test-taking strategies that will allow them to do their best Step 1: Obtain TOEFL materials in order to begin test preparation. Students should obtain the TOEFL Information Bulletin for Computer-Based Testing. The Bulletin explains test scheduling procedures and provides information about fees, test center locations, and identification requirements. It also describes the computer tutorials that precede every test session and includes sample test questions. The TOEFL Sampler CD-ROM is also an important part of preparing for the test. It contains the animated tutorials that precede the test and show test takers how to use a mouse, and the testing icons, and how to scroll. Interactive test tutorials provide instructions for answering questions in the four sections of the test. The Sampler also includes 67 practice questions that cover each section of the test. These questions familiarize examinees with the test directions, formats, and question types. POWERPREP ® Software: Preparation for the Computer-Based TOEFL Test will be available some time in the year 2000. This product will simulate the TOEFL computer testing experience. It will provide the actual tutorials delivered in the testing center, as well as two timed tests automatically created — based on the user’s ability level — from a pool of more than 1,200 questions. At the end of each test, students will be able to view their scores. POWERPREP will operate under the same software used in actual test centers. This package also will contain three essay topics for writing practice and samples of actual essays written by TOEFL test takers. For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org 8 Most of the questions on the computer-based TOEFL test are similar to those found in the paper-based test. Therefore, students can also practice with official TOEFL test preparation material designed for the paper-based test: the TOEFL Test Preparation Kit and TOEFL Practice Tests, volumes 1 and 2. These products contain official retired forms of the TOEFL test, with “real” TOEFL test questions. See page 38 for information about how to order the TOEFL Bulletin, TOEFL Sampler, POWERPREP software (in the year 2000), and other official TOEFL test preparation materials. Step 2: Learn about the changes in the test format, how the test is structured, and what each test section measures. The test format consists of tutorials and four required sections: Listening, Structure, Reading, and Writing. User-friendly tutorials To help examinees feel comfortable with test taking on the computer, each test is preceded by computerized tutorials. The first three tutorials show examinees basic computer skills: how to use a mouse to point and click, how to scroll, and how to use the testing icons. A tutorial at the beginning of each test section demon- strates how to answer the questions in that section. The Listening, Structure, and Reading tutorials are required. For those who decide to type the essay in the Writing section, there is also a word processing tutorial. The tutorials first present the skills needed to use the computer to answer questions by using simple language and graphics, then demonstrate those skills with animation. Before they can go on, examinees must successfully complete exercises to show they have mastered each skill. Candidates can spend as much time as they need on these tutorials to feel comfortable with the test. At any time during the test, examinees can click on the Help icon to review directions and information from the tutorials. However, the test clock does NOT stop while students access this function. The TOEFL program conducted an international research study on computer familiarity and found that once examinees had completed these tutorials there was no meaningful relationship between level of computer familiarity and performance on computer-based test questions. (The TOEFL Web site provides more information about the computer familiarity study.) Clicking Press Enter to see an example. How to Click You must press a mouse button once, then release it. For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org 9 Timing of test sections Chart A shows the number of questions and the time limit for each section. Scores for all test takers are based on the same number of questions. However, the number of questions in each section may vary because additional, pretest questions may be randomly inserted for research purposes. The responses to these pretest items do not count toward the test scores, but are used to estimate statistical properties for future operational use. This explains why the number of questions is expressed as a range. The time limit for each section varies according to the number of questions. Chart A: Computer-Based TOEFL Test Format Test Portion # Questions Time Limit Tutorials 7 Tutorials Untimed Listening 30 to 50 40 to 60 minutes Structure 20 to 25 15 to 20 minutes BREAK 5 minutes Reading 44 to 55 70 to 90 minutes Writing 1 topic 30 minutes The total time spent in the test center is approximately four hours, depending on how quickly examinees work through the tutorials and the test and whether pretest questions are included. The time limits are generous for most examinees and were determined after extensive research. Directions given at the beginning of each test section specify the time allowed in that section. The time remaining in the section is displayed on a clock in the upper left corner of the screen; the number of questions remaining is displayed in the upper right corner. The title bar display changes as examinees proceed through the section. For example, the title bar may show question 9 of 20 and 00:14 minutes, which means the test taker is on the ninth question of 20 and 14 minutes remain for that section. (See the sample title bar screen below.) Examinees should check the number of questions and time limit before they begin the test. They should also check their progress as they move along and pace themselves to finish all questions in the section before the time runs out. The clock can be displayed or hidden at any time, except during the last five minutes, when the time remaining is displayed automatically. The TOEFL Screens The title bar shows the • time remaining • test or section title • question number See More Title Bar 9 of 20 This is question 9 out of a total of 20 questions in this section. Time Help Confirm Answer ? Next This shows there are 14 minutes left. TOEFL00:14 For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org [...]... of the TOEFL Bulletin? The Bulletin can be ordered online or downloaded from the TOEFL Web site at www .toefl. org/infobull.html It can also be ordered by calling 1-609-771-7100 In addition, Bulletins are available from overseas representatives, most educational advising centers, and many local colleges and universities How do I know if supplemental paper-based TOEFL is offered in my area? The TOEFL Web... on the computer-based TOEFL test compare to scores on the paper-based test? Content and format changes in the computer-based TOEFL test required the creation of a new score scale Students who wish to know what scores on the computer-based test are comparable to those on the paperbased test should consult the TOEFL concordance tables (in the Bulletin, on the TOEFL Web site at www .toefl. org/concords1.html,... Examinees taking the computer-based TOEFL test to fulfill an admissions requirement should consult their target institutions to determine their particular score requirements If students wish to know what scores on the computer-based test are comparable to those on the paper-based test, they should consult the TOEFL concordance tables (in the Bulletin, on the TOEFL Web site at www .toefl. org/concords1.html, and... each section of the test to become familiar with them The TOEFL Sampler and POWERPREP software (available in the year 2000) will help candidates practice for the computer-based test Most of the questions on the computer-based TOEFL test are similar to those in the paper-based test Therefore, examinees can also use exercises from paper-based TOEFL test preparation materials to prepare for the computer-based... was handwritten) after the test date by calling 1-888 -TOEFL- 44 from the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S Virgin Islands and 1-609-771-7267 elsewhere There is a fee to use this phone service, plus a fee for each score report ordered You can also order additional score reports for institutions for a fee See www .toefl. org/cbscrsvc.html#phonetoefl for more information about this service How long... companies should spend more money to clean up pollution in the environment Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay For a full list of the writing topics see the TOEFL Web site at www .toefl. org/cbprpmat.html or the TOEFL Information Bulletin 27 For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org Sample essays The following essays include samples from... questions in each section) How can I order official TOEFL test preparation materials? You can order by calling 1-800-446-3319 (from the U.S.) or 1-609-771-7243 (from outside the U.S.) Materials can also be ordered from www.ets.org/store.html, or by using the order form in the Bulletin What are the computer requirements needed to run the TOEFL Sampler? The TOEFL Sampler is formatted for Windows or Macintosh... *Total scores end with 0, 3, or 7 only because of the averaging of the three section scores For a more technical explanation of this procedure, please contact the TOEFL statisticians at toefl@ ets.org At the end of the exam After examinees finish the TOEFL exam at the test center and view their unofficial scores, they have the option of canceling their scores if they wish.2 Those who feel they did poorly... quickly as they can so that the stimulus remains fresh in their minds On the paper-based TOEFL test, examinees have 12 seconds to respond to each question, but on the computer-based test they set their own pace Therefore, examinees may wish to leave the test clock turned on during this section to help them budget their time TOEFL - Listening Time Volume ? Help Answer Confirm Next Listening activities for... of the Listening section, screen magnification, and mouse emulators Arrangements for nonstandard testing accommodations must be requested in writing For specific information, see the TOEFL Information Bulletin or www .toefl. org Nonstandard administrations vary widely, so test scores from such administrations are not comparable to scores on tests administered in the standard manner How quickly are score . computer-based TOEFL ® test. It has been prepared by Educational Testing Service (ETS), which develops and scores the TOEFL test. TOEFL Tips can help students. booklet, visit the TOEFL Web site at www .toefl. org. To join the TOEFL mailing list (Internet or postal), enter the requested information at www .toefl. org/edindx.html.