TOEFL
stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is a proficiency test used
to measure a person's English language skills without being directly related to
the teaching and learning process. Thus the TOEFL differs from the achievement
test, which is a test whose scope of the test is limited to the material that
students have studied in one English class. TOEFL includes four aspects, namely
Listening Comprehension, Structure and Written Expression, Reading
Comprehension, and Test of Written English (TWE). There are three kinds of
TOEFL tests, namely the International TOEFL test, Institutional TOEFL test, and
TOEFL Like-Test. The difference is that there is a new International TOEFL
question in each test execution. Meanwhile, the questions for the institutional
test and the TOEFL Like-test are based on questions a few years earlier from
the International TOEFL test. The validity period of the TOEFL test varies. For
the International TOEFL test, the validity period is two years which can be
accepted at all universities in the world. It can also be used to apply for
scholarships abroad. For the Institutional TOEFL Test, the validity period is
only six months, the cost is much lower, it cannot be used to apply to
universities abroad but sometimes it can be used to apply for scholarships
abroad. TOEFL Like-Test cannot be used to apply to foreign universities, only
to meet the requirements of certain universities in Indonesia.
Tips for doing questions in the Reading section of the TOEFL test:
• Do not rush to read the text.
Granted, you are limited in the amount of time you have available, but if you
are not careful, you may misread information or miss something important.
• Use annotations such as underscores,
circles, or whatever else you want to mark important words and sentences. This
will speed up the information filtering process and make finding relevant
information even easier.
• If
you have time left over, use that time to review the answers you have filled
in. It doesn't hurt to make sure that you are sure of all the answers on your
TOEFL test.
• Fill in all
the available questions. Even if you don't know the right answer to a question,
still fill in all the questions by guessing the answer. TOEFL will not reduce
your score if you fill in the wrong answer, so take the 25% chance you have to
get a score.
• Reading
strategically. It's a good idea to read the text briefly first, read all the
questions, then go back to reading the text in more detail. The point is, you
can save the questions you have read in your brain while reading the text
carefully. This will make it easier for you to find relevant information needed
to fill in the answers and you will know where to focus your mind on what part
of the text.
• Exercise by
reading many previous books and articles. Get used to your eyes and brain to
read English text, because this will speed up and smoothen your reading process
during the TOEFL test. It will also expand your English vocabulary, and help
you with the problems.
• Practice by
working on sample questions from online websites, TOEFL test preparation books,
taking TOEFL preparation lessons, and so on. There are many sources of sample
questions that you can access for free to prepare you before taking the
actual test.
At first glance from the explanation above, you can imagine the benefits of the TOEFL test. Summarizing from several sources, here are 10 (ten) benefits of the TOEFL:
1. Used for registration of short course programs and non-degree programs in English speaking countries;
2. Used for registration to undergraduate (S1) and master's programs in countries that do not use English as a mother tongue;
3. Used for registration and placement in international collaborative programs that use English as the medium of instruction;
4. To apply for scholarship programs to various countries - as an initial selection;
5. For entry tests for English language programs that require proof of academic English proficiency at the bachelor's level (S1) or diploma level;
6. To monitor the development of English language skills, especially those requiring proficiency / expertise in academic English;
7. To get around the LPDP scholarship. If the university where we are going to study abroad asks for a lower English score (for example IELTS 6, or even 5.5) LPDP still asks for a TOEFL score of 550;
8. TOEFL is usually used as a pre-requirement (admission requirements) for applying to high schools and universities at home and abroad, as well as for obtaining scholarships;
9. TOEFL for job applicants and promotion / promotion;
10. Requirements for the CPNS TOEFL test score for the Ministry / Central Agency.
