December is that part of the year when students finishing off their high school/Senior Secondary School in the coming April plan their career. Those wishing to go abroad for studies take various tests to qualify for the seats in those countries. Some of the tests popularly known are TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, SAT, GRE. Any one wishing to go abroad must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL test, which is an exam to test the English skills of a person. Across the globe, till date over 25 million people have taken the TOEFL test, a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS), and every year over one million people appear for it.
For seeking an admission in colleges there, along with other particulars, one must submit the TOEFL scores too. The candidates have to most importantly bear in mind that a TOEFL score is valid for a period of two years only. The average English skill level ranges between Intermediate and Advanced.

The TOEFL test evaluates how well one combines listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks The test is conducted in two formats, depending on the location of the test center. Many of them take the test in TOEFL iBT (internet based test) mode. The Paper-based Test (PBT) is conducted at a center that doesn’t have Internet access facility. The test is conducted at 4,500 test centers in 165 countries and it can be retaken any number of times. The test costs from $160 to $250, depending on where it is taken.

There are four sections to the TOEFL test taken on the internet lasting nearly four-and-a-half-hours. The four sections are Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing and one can be told to combine tasks and perform. For example, a person can be told to Read, listen and then speak in response to a question or Listen and then speak in response to a question.   

All TOEFL test takers must adhere to time limits to reach their goals. It is better to prepare oneself on a keyboard before taking the test. The TOEFL test details are as follows:
Reading: This section will last for 60–80 minutes where one has to answer 36–56 questions, Read 3 or 4 passages from academic texts and then answer questions.
Listening: In this section lasting for 60–90 minutes, one will have to answer 34–51 questions, Listen to lectures, classroom discussions and conversations, then answer questions. After these two sections, one gets a break of 10 minutes.
Speaking: This section lasting for 20 minutes, six tasks have to be undertaken, Express an opinion on a familiar topic; speak based on reading and listening tasks.
Writing: Lasting for 50 minutes involves two tasks. Write essay responses based on reading and listening tasks; support an opinion in writing.Changes in the Reading section came into effect on November 1, 2011, while earlier students in a time span of 60 – 110 minutes, read three to five passages and answered 36–70 questions.

Background
The TOEFL test came into existence basically to test the English language proficiency of non-native speakers wanting to study in US universities. A 30-member national council consisting of representatives from government and private organizations formed in 1962 recommended the development and administration of the exam. Ford Foundation and Danforth Foundation helped the Modern Language Association to conduct the test in 1964, developed under the guidance of Stanford University applied linguistics professor Dr. Charles A. Ferguson. In 1965, The College Board and ETS jointly began conducting the test. However, in 1973, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) board joined hands.

Internet-based Test (iBT)
The Internet-based Test (iBT) has replaced the computer-based tests (CBT) and paper-based tests (PBT). In late 2005, the iBT was first introduced in United States, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy and the following year across the world. However, paper-based testing continues in some areas. Initially to take the TOEFL test, the candidates had to wait for several months but, now the wait is one to four weeks.

Paper-based Test (PBT)
Those wishing to take the paper based test must register online in advance so as to ensure a place at the test centre. The test lasts for three hours and is conducted six times a year. The sections are as follows:

Listening: This section lasting for 30 – 40 minutes consists of three parts, Firstly - 30 questions about short conversations, Secondly eight questions about longer conversations and lastly 12 questions about lectures or talks.

Structure and Written Expression: This section lasting for 25 minutes has 15 exercises of completing sentences correctly and 25 exercises of identifying errors.

Reading Comprehension: In this 55 minute section, there are 50 questions about reading passages.

Writing: In this section one essay with 250–300 words in average has to be written in 30 minutes.

TOEFL Junior
This is for young enthusiasts in the age group of 11-14 years, who want to know their standing in the language, but this scored can’t be used for admissions. 

Apart from TOEFL, the most commonly used scores worldwide, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) also tests English proficiency across the globe. For entering the portals of foreign universities and jobs abroad, nearly 1.4 million people appear for the IELTS test every year. Over 135 countries and 6,000 institutions recognize the IELTS scores. The test conducted by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) is held in over 500 centres four times a month. Depending on one’s requirement, a person can take the Academic or General Training test, which like TOEFL consists of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. There are different Reading and Writing modules for Academic and General Training. Listening, Reading and Writing should be completed on a single day and the Speaking test on the same day or earlier or after. However, in IELTS, the Speaking test is a face-to-face interview with a certified Examiner. This helps in arriving at a real-life situation assessment.

By the name of the module it is understood that the Academic module is for those wishing to pursue higher education abroad, while, the General Training module is to evaluate a person on his understanding of the English language for migration, or official training. Those wishing to take the test have to shell out Rs7,600.

For students wanting to study in the UK, they can take the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic), which is another English language test for international students and is recognized by over 80 percent of universities and colleges in Britain. Approved by the UK Border Agency (UKBA), PTE Academic is accepted for Tier 4 (student visa) and Tier 2 applications. It is stated that the PTE Academic tests English language competency at a minimum of CEF level B1 or B2. The test that consists of three hours has flexible test dates and the results too are declared in a span of five working days. Students pursuing courses below degree level need a score of at least 36 and for above degree level need a score of at least 51 for UKBA tier 4 student visas. For other Higher Education courses, the institution lays down the requirement.