Pros and Cons for Taking the TOEFL Test to Apply for a University Abroad

If you want to be an international student and apply to an English-taught program abroad, you already know that you need to prove that you have mastered the language very well. And you probably know that one way to do this is with the TOEFL certificate ("Test of English as a Foreign Language").

Provided by ETS, TOEFL is not the only language test option, so you may be unsure whether choosing TOEFL is right for you. To help you decide, we're going to explore some of the main pros and cons of the TOEFL tests.

TOEFL at a glance

The TOEFL is a standardized test that measures your English skills, and how well you can use English in an academic setting. Therefore, TOEFL scores are often used in the university admissions process. However, the test is also useful for other purposes: going to high school abroad, taking a short course or exchange program, and even applying for a student visa.

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There are two types of TOEFL tests you can take: the TOEFL iBT® test, which you take online, and the revised TOEFL® paper-delivered test, a pen and paper test. There are more centers for the TOEFL IBT® modified TOEFL® PBT around the world. The paper test is available only in those areas where test through the internet is not possible.

4 Benefits to Taking the TOEFL Test

1. TOEFL is recognized by most of the universities in the world.

And the U.S. is Accepted by all universities in the U.S. About 10,000 universities in 130 countries accept the TOEFL, including Canada, the UK and Australia. All the top 100 universities in the world accept the TOEFL.

This means the TOEFL test will come in handy wherever you choose to apply, and you won't need to worry about language credentials if you go to exchange programs or change universities. Naturally, you should still check and make sure that the university you choose is not one of the exceptions not accepting the exam. To make it easier for you, here are some universities that accept the TOEFL.

2. It is very easy to book a test

You can book the TOEFL test online wherever you are. Plus, you can find test centers everywhere in the world, which all other test providers don't provide. In addition, you are not limited to a rigorous schedule, as there are 50 TOEFL iBT test dates each year. Also, the results are out in about 15 days.

3. There is a lot of free learning material

Because the test is so popular, there are tons of resources to help you prepare, some of which are free. Just do a quick Google search and you'll find tons of exercises, books, videos, and online courses, including those offered by ETS that runs the TOEFL.

4. The test has a wide scale of evaluation

This means that it is not only about right or wrong answers but also about context and accepted versions of answers. For example, the speaking part of the test is assessed more objectively, as it is estimated by 3-4 teachers rather than by one interviewer.

Another example is that you still get multiple-choice questions that increase your chances of getting at least some of the answers right. As a result, the TOEFL is considered a balanced test by both students and universities.

4 cons for taking the TOEFL test

1. TOEFL test places fill up really quickly

This is due to the popularity of the test. So, even though the exam is conducted 50 times a year, depending on the convenience in your country, you might not get a place in the next exam immediately and you have to wait till the next round.

2. You must be good with all skills (reading, writing, grammar, listening)

This means that you cannot count on improving your score through grammar, because you know that you are not that good at vocabulary and reading. Chances are that the grammar part also includes some vocabulary aspects.

3. The exam takes more time than others to complete

The TOEFL iBT® test is estimated to take approximately 5 hours to complete. This requires the ability to maintain focus for long periods of time, especially since you'll need to remember to hear something in order to write an essay about it, for example.

4. If you do not have good computer skills, the exam will be a challenge

Since TOEFL iBT® is delivered exclusively online, you really need to be good with computers, especially typing. Consider that you need to write an entire essay in a limited amount of time. The faster you type, the more time you save to focus on the correct answers for a higher score.

Conclusion

These advantages and disadvantages are some of the main aspects you should consider when deciding whether to take the TOEFL exam or not. If your answer is in the affirmative, then visit the official website of TOEFL, register and start your exam preparation. If you think TOEFL isn't for you, don't be discouraged. There are lots of other English language tests out there, such as IELTS or C1 Advanced.