For many international students aspiring to study in English-speaking universities, the journey often begins with understanding the TOEFL exam. TOEFL, or the Test of English as a Foreign Language, stands as a beacon of evaluation for English proficiency, encompassing essential academic skills: reading, speaking, listening, and writing. These foundational abilities are imperative for academic pursuits where the curriculum is delivered in English. Serving as a benchmark for over 11,000 universities and institutions across more than 190 countries, the TOEFL exam showcases its global acceptance.

The TOEFL’s creation is credited to the National Council on the Testing of English as a Foreign Language, a respected group established in 1962 comprising educators and prominent individuals in education policy. They aimed to develop a standardised English proficiency test for international students seeking to study in the United States. In 1964, the Modern Language Association, founded in 1883 to promote language and literature studies, took over the TOEFL’s supervision.

In its initial phase, the TOEFL adopted the current language instruction method, which entailed a separate analysis of each language component. Presently, the TOEFL is acknowledged by educational institutions and official entities in 190 countries. This acknowledgement is extremely useful since many academic programs necessitate a specific TOEFL score, usually between 61 and 100, contingent on the institution and program.

The TOEFL exam is primarily designed for those preparing for educational opportunities abroad or seeking entry into international universities or graduate schools. It’s also crucial for those applying for Study abroad scholarships, as TOEFL scores are often a key part of the application. But the exam’s reach goes beyond just educational goals. The TOEFL caters to a wide range of candidates, including:

• Those looking to participate in exchange programs in countries where English is the dominant language.
• Individuals applying for visas in countries where English is the main language.
• Professionals seeking job opportunities abroad, especially in roles that require interaction with English-speaking clients.
• People whose first language isn’t English.
• Individuals who haven’t been in an English-medium instruction environment for five years or more.
• And finally, those interested in formally assessing their English language skills.

In short, the TOEFL Exam is a standardised measure to confirm a person’s English proficiency in various situations.

The TOEFL exam is available in three formats: 

• TOEFL iBT - The TOEFL iBT is an online, computer-based test with four sections(reading, listening, speaking, and writing) and is the most chosen option. The test is computer-based, requiring candidates to read from a screen, listen through headphones, voice their responses into a microphone, and type their answers, negating the need for traditional pen and paper.
• TOEFL PBT - The TOEFL PBT is paper-based, available in areas with limited internet, and includes three sections - reading, listening, and writing, but no speaking section. With a total duration of approximately 2.5 hours, in contrast to the iBT's 3.5 to 4 hours.
• TOEFL iTP - The TOEFL iTP is used across various environments to assess English proficiency in reading, listening, structure and written expression, and speaking, and serves mainly as a diagnostic tool.

The TOEFL exam also includes 

TOEFL Essentials: Debuted in 2021 TOEFL Essentials test is shorter than the TOEFL iBT, taking about 90 minutes. Unlike the iBT’s focus on academic English, the Essentials test assesses general English proficiency. The test includes passages based on everyday scenarios. Over 500 global institutions recognize the Essentials test. Candidates should check the updated list of institutions that accept the Essentials test and verify the test requirements with their chosen institution.

TOEFL Junior: The TOEFL Junior Test is presented in two distinct versions. These tests offer insights into English proficiency, churning out scores aligned with CEFR levels. The TOEFL Junior Standard Test, spanning two hours, delves into Listening Comprehension, Language Form and Meaning, and Reading Comprehension. Scores from this test align with the MetaMetrics® Lexile® framework, aiding educators in curating reading material tailored to students' proficiencies. In contrast, the TOEFL Junior Speaking Test, concise at 18 minutes, sharpens its focus on gauging students' oral expression capabilities.

TOEFL Primary tests: Specially curated for younger learners aged 8 and above, the TOEFL Primary Tests play a pivotal role for educators. These assessments unravel students' strengths, areas of improvement, and overall progress in English. In just about an hour, these tests offer comprehensive insights into students' listening, reading, and speaking proficiencies, laying down a roadmap for tailored learning trajectories.