Click on the test name to go to that section of the page.

The Internet-Based-TOEFL or "iBT" is the world-wide test accepted by colleges and universities all over the U.S.  It is a new test given in a computer lab and scored via the Internet.  Some countries do not offer this new test yet, so they may still offer an older version, such as the "CBT - Computer-Based TOEFL" or even the "Paper Test," but those tests will disappear soon.  The iBT includes a Listening section, a Reading/Vocabulary section, Writing, and Speaking.  Also, it includes combined sections with Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.  Yes, it is a difficult test.  It tests your grammar in the speaking, writing, reading, and integrated skills sections.

The iBT costs $180, and lasts more than 4 hours.

For the iBT in Denver, you can register online, by phone, or by mail.  The online registration page is here.

For the Institutional TOEFL, you need to sign up in the main office at Spring.  There will be a morning announcement each term telling students when to sign up and pay.

There are three best things you can do to prepare for the TOEFL:

• go to your ESL classes, do your homework, and study hard!
• live with an American host family, speak with Americans, hang out with Americans!
• read, read, read - read fun things like magazines and jokes, read academic journals and books, read popular novels and classical literature in English!  Improve your academic vocabulary too.

Taking TOEFL classes is the next best thing to do after these three.  Studying on your own is okay, but some students who skipped classes to "study for the TOEFL" actually had lower scores than expected.

The iBT has a perfect score of 120, with four sections of 30 points each.  Some universities or graduate school departments may require a minimum score for each section, in order to be sure the student has a balance of English skills.  For college, ask Admissions what score they require.  For graduate school, please check with your particular department, like Engineering or Business - different departments may require different scores.

The Institutional TOEFL has a perfect score of 677.

The textbooks we have used recently at Spring are:

• Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL: Next Generation iBT     The book comes in four versions - book only, book plus CD, book with Answer Key, or book plus CD with Answer Key (complete).  The complete version is available for about $50 (free shipping) at Amazon.com, here.
        
• Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test: iBT      The book with CD is only $29 (free shipping) at Amazon.com, a great deal, here.

The GMAT is a test for graduate schools in business and management.  It includes a verbal section, a mathematics section (called "quantitative"), and an analytical writing section.  For an overview of the test, see the official GMAT Overview page.

The GMAT test costs $250.

You may schedule an appointment for the GMAT online, by phone, or by mail.  For information or to sign up online, go to the "Schedule a GMAT Appointment" page.

A perfect score on the GMAT is 800.  For more details, go to the "Understanding your scores" page.

The GRE is a test for entering graduate school.  It has writing, verbal (English), and quantitative (math) sections.

The GRE test costs $160 in the U.S.

You may schedule an appointment for the GRE online, by phone, or by mail. The online registration is here.

The writing section of the GRE is on a 0-6 scale.  The verbal and quantitative sections range from 200 to 800.

    Note:  the IELTS test seems to give 'false' results sometimes - students who are not ready for university
    can get a passing score.  We recommend the iBT TOEFL test to accurately assess your English level.

There are two kinds of IELTS tests - the Academic and the General.  The Academic test is for entering university.  Both tests include reading, listening, writing, and a speaking interview.

The IELTS test costs $205 in 2013 in the U.S.

In Denver, the IELTS test is offered at Bridge school.  You may schedule an appointment for the IELTS online here.

The IELTS test has a 0 - 9 scoring scale, in .5 increments, like 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5.

The TOEIC test is a test used by businesses to find out if a worker has good English communication skills.  The test has four parts - Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

The cost of the TOEIC test varies by location.  Please contact Educational Testing Service (ETS) to find out the price.

In Denver, the TOEIC test is offered at Bridge school.  You may begin the online registration process for the TOEIC test here.

The TOEIC test has separate scoring for each section.  These are perfect scores: Listening = 400, Reading = 450, Speaking = 200, Writing = 200.  For more information, please see the TOEIC website.

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