The TOEFL® Institutional is a variant of the TOEFL® Test of English as a Foreign Language®. This test is backed by a specific institution, usually a college or university, which has its own set of English proficiency requirements that students must meet in order to be admitted to various programs. Other TOEFL® tests may be more general proficiency tests that do not meet the school or institution’s requirements.
Students who take the TOEFL® in an institutional setting will demonstrate that they have the necessary skills to participate in class and manage a course load. These exams can be used for ESL (English as a Second Language) programs or general undergraduate departments. A TOEFL® test administered by an institution is typically used to ensure that students will be able to cope with the educational environment of a school in an English-speaking country or a school where English is the primary language of instruction.
While institutional TOEFL® tests are similar to general TOEFL® exams, they may include features tailored to the university or other institution. Universities and schools administer these tests on their own, establishing their own testing policies. Students may be required to pay fees and adhere to testing environment guidelines. Many institutional TOEFL® exams are still administered using pencil and paper, according to experts.
Students may be required to submit documentation in order to apply for and take the institutional TOEFL®. Before taking the test, students may be required to submit a passport. The person in charge of exam administration frequently communicates additional rules. The TOEFL® test may be subject to a standard fee.
A “general purpose” TOEFL® score may or may not be accepted by a specific school or venue that uses an institutional TOEFL® system. Before taking a TOEFL® test that may not meet the requirements, students should inquire about specific admissions requirements. Other details will be available from school admissions departments or human resources departments for job-related test requirements.
The institutional TOEFL®, like other TOEFL® tests, is usually divided into three sections. Each of these sections will focus on a different aspect of English. More information can be found in appropriate TOEFL® training and preparation courses, as well as in books, software, and other material resources. When scheduling test dates, consider the differences between an international general TOEFL® and an institutional TOEFL®.