How to Study for and Master the

Next Generation TOEFL

What is this publication, and who is it for?
How to Study for and Ace the Next Generation TOEFL is an expanded and
updated version of our earlier study guide, TOEFL Tips, Traps, & Strategies.
This version provides valuable information and test-taking strategies for people
who are interested in getting the best score possible on the new TOEFL test
starting in September 2005. This publication is not meant to be an in-depth study
guide, but instead as a fast-paced, clearly-written introduction to the new
TOEFL for people who want to start preparing for this challenging test now.

We are sure that you will find the content of How to Study for and Ace the Next
Generation TOEFL both useful and stimulating.

Good luck in your studies!

For more information visit us at www.esl-pro.com

Copyright 2004 ESL Pro Systems Ltd.

Table of Contents
I.

Introduction
- What is the TOEFL test?
- Structure of the current TOEFL test

II.

Overview of the New (2005) TOEFL Test

III. Overview of the New (2005) TOEFL Listening Section

IV. Tips and Strategies for the Listening Section
V.

General Strategies for Improving your Listening Skills

VI. Overview of the New (2005) TOEFL Reading Section

VII. Tips and Strategies for the Reading Section
VIII. Overview of the New (2005) TOEFL Writing Section
IX. General Tips for the Writing Section
X.

Overview of the New TOEFL Speaking Section

XI. Tips and Strategies for the Speaking Section

XII. Summary

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Copyright 2004 ESL Pro Systems Ltd.

I. Introduction
What is the TOEFL test?
TOEFL stands for the Test of English as a Foreign Language. This test is designed to
measure the English-language ability of people who do not speak English as their first
language and who plan to study at colleges and universities in Canada and the USA.
There are two versions of the TOEFL currently available, the paper-based test and the
computer-based test (CBT). However, the CBT is gradually phasing out the paper-based
test worldwide. The paper-based format of the TOEFL continues to be administered on
specified dates in some countries, particularly in areas where accessibility to the
computer-based test is a concern. Each version of the current TOEFL consists of three
separately timed sections; the questions in each section are in multiple-choice format,
with four possible answers or options per question. For the paper-based test, all
responses are placed on answer sheets that are scanned through a computer to
determine the test writers score. The total test time is approximately two and a half
hours; however, the entire test taking process takes approximately four hours as time is
needed for a test administrator to admit examinees into the testing room, allow them to
enter identifying information on their answer sheets, and to distribute and collect the test
materials. This includes a 10-minute break and a 40-minute test-taking tutorial that is
mandatory for the CBT.
Language specialists prepare the material for the TOEFL test. The TOEFL Committee
of Examiners establishes overall guidelines for the test content and specifications. All the
content, questions, specifications, and final test forms are reviewed for cultural and racial
bias and content appropriateness, according to established *Educational Testing
Service (ETS) procedures.

*Educational Testing Service (ETS) is the world's largest private educational testing and
measurement organization and a leader in educational research. The company is dedicated to
serving the needs of individuals, educational institutions, and government bodies in almost 200
countries. ETS develops and administers more than 12 million tests worldwide. There is no
connection between ETS and the publisher of this study guide.
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7
Section 1 of the test, Listening Comprehension, measures the ability to understand
English as it is spoken in North America. Oral features of the language are stressed, and
the areas tested include vocabulary and idiomatic expressions as well as special
grammatical constructions frequently used in spoken English. The stimulus material and
oral questions are recorded in standard North American English; the response options
are printed in the test books. For candidates wanting a simulation of the paper-based
testing experience before the actual exam, previously administered test forms are
packaged and made available worldwide. For those candidates who are going to write
the computer-based TOEFL exam, the TOEFL Grand Slam provides practice exams
that are virtually identical to the real test. Go to www.esl-pro.com for more information on
excellent study guides and workbooks covering each section of the TOEFL in more
detail.
Section 2, Structure and Written Expression, measures recognition of selected structural
and grammatical points in standard written English. The language tested is formal, rather
than conversational. The topics selected for use in the sentences are of general
academic nature, so that individuals in specific fields of study, or from specific national or
linguistic groups have no particular advantage.
Section 3, Reading, measures the ability to read and understand short passages that are
similar in topic and style to those that students are likely to encounter in North American
colleges and universities. Examinees read a variety of short passages on academic
subjects and answer several questions about each passage. The questions test
information that is stated in or implied by the passage, as well as the examinees
understanding of specific words, based on how the words are used in the passage.
The Test of Written English (TWE), a 30-minute writing test, is also administered with the
TOEFL test on the same test date. It is optional for the paper-based test, but is
mandatory for the computer-based test. On the CBT it is called Essay Writing.

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Copyright 2004 ESL Pro Systems Ltd.

Structure of the current TOEFL test

Since August 1995, there have been some major changes in the structure and content of
the TOEFL test. There are no longer any single sentences in the Listening section, and
the number of conversations has increased.
Below is an outline of the current structure for the TOEFL test:
1) Listening Comprehension (50 questions in 30 minutes)
a. Short Conversations 30 questions
b. Longer conversations 2 passages: 8 ~ 10 questions
c. Talks or lectures 3 or 4 passages: 10 ~ 12 questions
*The computer-based test (CBT) has two parts, A and B, with a total of 30 to 50
questions (this will vary) to be completed in approximately 40 to 60 minutes.
2) Structure and Written Expression (40 questions in 25 minutes)
a. Structure 15 questions
b. Written Expression 25 questions
*CBT: 20 to 25 questions (varies) to be completed in 15 to
20 minutes. Two types of questions: Sentence Completion
and Error Identification.
3) Reading Comprehension (Five reading passages with 50 questions to be
completed in 55 minutes)
*CBT: Four to five passages with 44 to 60 questions to be
completed in 70 to 90 minutes.
4) Test of Written English (1 essay in 30 minutes)
*CBT: Called Section 4 Essay Writing.

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Copyright 2004 ESL Pro Systems Ltd.

NEW!
II. Overview of the New (2005) TOEFL Test
In order to meet the challenge of providing a more comprehensive assessment of an
applicants ability to understand and use the English language in an academic
environment, a next generation TOEFL has been developed to assess all four
language skills - listening, reading, writing, and speaking. It will be the only large-scale,
standardized language test that integrates these four basic communication skills. Test
takers will be required to complete tasks such as reading a passage of text, listening to
part of a lecture, and then writing or speaking about it in response. Integrated tasks such
as these are better measures of the ability to communicate in English because they
more closely reflect how people use real language.
While some questions in each of the sections will be similar to questions found on the
current computer-based test (CBT), others will be new. Thus, the scoring system will
change as well. Each of the four language skills will now be reported on a scale of 0 to
30. There will also be a total score. In addition, the next generation TOEFL will no
longer have any computer-adaptive sections (this means that the computer gives you
test questions that are aimed at your ability level); it will be a linear assessment test
covering a full range of levels of question difficulty.
Note taking will be allowed on the new 2005 TOEFL in order to better reflect real-life
academic situations. The new TOEFL will take approximately four hours to finish.
Starting in July 2004, students will be introduced to this new version of the TOEFL on
the Internet. Full-length tests will be unproctored (i.e.: not supervised), and the scores
will be given to the examinee only. In September 2005, the next generation TOEFL will
begin to be administered at official ETS test centers.

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10

Score Reports
The score reports on the new 2005 TOEFL will provide more accurate information than
ever about an individual's potential to participate and succeed in academic studies in an
English-speaking environment. The comprehensive score profile will include:
TOEFL CBT score comparison
four skill scores
total score
The TOEFL CBT score comparison will allow institutions to compare performance on
the new test with performance on the current TOEFL CBT test. It will also help them
initially understand the new scores when setting score standards. This profile will help
institutions make better decisions and admit the most qualified students.
The four skill scores will also give institutions the flexibility to customize their score
requirements to meet the varied English language demands of different academic
disciplines.
Score scales will be divided into levels, and score descriptors will describe performance
with each level. These descriptors will help English language programs identify students'
learning needs and place students in appropriate levels and courses. This will also help
institutions improve student development and retention.

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11

III. Overview of the New 2005 TOEFL Listening Section

The Listening section of the TOEFL measures your ability to understand conversations
and talks in English as it is spoken in North America. The Listening section on the new
TOEFL will not differ greatly from the current CBT version. This section will now consist
of two conversations and four classroom lectures with several questions for each
listening passage. There will be question types similar to the present TOEFL test as
well as new question types that measure a test takers ability to understand a speakers
meaning and/or attitude.

Here is an example of how a classroom lecture question may be structured:

1. You will first see a picture of the speaker(s).

2. In some lectures you will then see words written on a blackboard to help you
understand the lecture.
3. Then a message will appear that reads, Now get ready to answer the questions. You
may use your notes to help you answer.
4. The computer screen will then display the title of the lecture (for example, Business)
and the following:
The lectures will be 4 to 6 minutes long. You may take notes while you listen. The bar at
the bottom of the screen shows how much time is left in the lecture.
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Copyright 2004 ESL Pro Systems Ltd.