<p>I am a little confused about this TOEFL thing. Do I need to take it if:</p>
<p>English is my second language
but I am COMPLETELY fluent
I live in the United States </p>
<p>I posted this on the Admission forum, but wasnt really getting any response. I figured you guys would probably have better insight to this test anyways.</p>
<p>Also, what exactly is the TOEFL? I havent really heard much about it. I just did some googling but the results werent really clear.</p>
<p>How long have you lived in the States?</p>
<p>Most - but not all - colleges will waive the TOEFL requirement if you have attended school in the States for a number of years (2-4 seem to be common). Others will waive it for high SAT verbal scores. You have to check each college’s website to get the details of their TOEFL requirement.</p>
<p>TOEFL stands for “Test of English as a Foreign Language.” It’s not hard, but it’s expensive and another annoying requirement. They have you answer questions about a text passage and a recorded conversation, write a short essay, and speak a couple of sentences (“what do you miss most when you are away from home?”). It is administered by ETS. You can find official information here: [TOEFL:</a> Test of English as a Foreign Language](<a href=“http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.fab2360b1645a1de9b3a0779f1751509/?vgnextoid=69c0197a484f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&WT.ac=Redirect_ets.org_toefl]TOEFL:”>http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.fab2360b1645a1de9b3a0779f1751509/?vgnextoid=69c0197a484f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&WT.ac=Redirect_ets.org_toefl)</p>
<p>Yes, it’s only the cost that should bother you… Trust me, if you’re fluent, you need only two practice tests the week before the test and you’ll cross 100 by a good amount. You’ll be looking at a score of between 115 to 120.</p>
<p>Download a TOEFL sampler 80MB Windows .exe file (sadly they only have a Windows executable) available from their website. It gives you sample questions, sample responses (useful for the speaking section) and the scores they got. </p>
<p>If the cost is not an issue, do it. You’re guaranteeing the the colleges you’re fluent. If you’ve got a > 600 score on both CR and WS in the SAT, then find out if the requirement can be waived.</p>
<p>Did you graduate from a U.S. high school?</p>
<p>Hey I have been living in the US for 12 years but some schools are still forcing me to take the TOEFL. pretty ridiculous. Even though I might not need it, im taking it this week just in case they tell me at the last minute that I need it </p>
<p>Im sure its gonna be a breezee
Some schools do, some school dont. It really just depends on the school/ where are you applying to?</p>
<p>Each school sets its own policy about the TOEFL requirement. There should be a clear statement on the website along the lines of “International students who have completed X years of study in elementary and secondary schools where English is the primary language of instruction do not need to submit TOEFL scores.” Some schools do not require TOEFL if you have a particular SAT/ACT score. You need to read each and every website carefully.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help! I’ve been able to find specific TOEFL requirements for my colleges.</p>
<p>Let me tell you something.This test is not that easy for one single reason - subjectivity,subjectivity,and SUBJECTIVITY.
Although ,I am not native speaker,I am fluent in English.I got 28 on Reading,and 28 on Listening (out of 30 ) but my scores on the next two sections were ,at best ,strange.
I spoke very fluently,coherently ,and quite correctly ,I used advanced SAT level vocabulary ,which I was not supposed to know ,and what happened - 22 out of 30.Why ?-I don`t know! Same situation with Writing.I wrote two perfectly organized essays and only got 24.My final score was 103 ,which is enough but this is not the point.The point is that I deserved more.
If you have the opportunity,take IELTS instead of TOEFL.The exam has the same components but during the speaking section you are talking with real person 1-1.I regret for not taking the IELTS,although it is more expensive.</p>
<p>^ The only reason, I believe, that you scored lower than you deserve is that you may not have done research on the sample responses. </p>
<p>I downloaded the TOEFL sampler on the day before the test and heard all the sample responses. I saw that there were some abilities the scorers were looking for. One girl stuttered a lot, but was able to convey that see understood what has happening. She got all the 4 points for that question. </p>
<p>This helped me get some confidence and although I think I should have got a point or two more on the speaking, I think I’m happy with how I have been marked.</p>
<p>If anyone is going to do the test, I strongly recommend downloading the 80MB .exe file TOEFL sampler.</p>