The TOEFL Test was developed by Educational Testing Services in Princeton, New Jersey. The TOEFL is used as a language proficiency measure for many purposes. The TOEFL tests listening, structure and reading. It does not test speaking or writing. Each section of the TOEFL has a separate part score.
The TOEFL score report shows part scores for each section of the test (listening, structure, and reading) and a total score. The total score is figured by averaging the three part scores and multiplying by ten.
| Listening + Structure + Reading | 53 + 50 + 50 = 153 |
| Average | 153 / 3 = 51 |
| Total Score | 51 X 10 = 510 |
| ListeningStructureReading | Average | Total Score | |
| EX. 1 | 555555 | (165/3) = 55 | 550 |
| EX. 2 | 456555 | (165/3) = 55 | 550 |
In Examples 1 and 2 above, both students have a 550 on the TOEFL. However, in Example 1, the scores show that this student has very even part scores, while in Example 2, the student has a very high structure score but a very low listening score. The student in Example 2 would probably have trouble following conversations and class lectures. Therefore, the part scores carry as much information about a student’s language ability as the total score.
Note that the total TOEFL scores are rounded to 0, 3, or 7. Therefore, you could have scores of 510, 513 and 517.
TWE stands for Test of Written English. This is a 30-minute essay which is holistically scored by ETS. The scores range from 1.0 to 6.0. Most universities require a 5.0 or higher. Not all students who take the TOEFL, take the TWE. It is noted as a separate score on the report form.
Educational Testing Service provides two types of TOEFLs: the International TOEFL and the Institutional TOEFL. For an International TOEFL, the student must apply directly to ETS. ETS will report the results of the test to any institution that the student requests. International TOEFLs are the computerized version,
The Institutional TOEFL is a TOEFL that is ordered and administered by an institution for its students. An Institutional TOEFL is used only at the institution which administers it. The scores are not reported to other institutions. Institutional TOEFLs are still the paper/pencil version. Below is a comparison of a paper/pencil TOEFL (old) and the new computerized TOEFL:
| Computerized | Paper/Pencil | |
| Listening | 21 | 55 |
| Structure | 22 | 55 |
| Reading | 21 | 55 |
| TOTAL | 213 | 550 |
For a concordance chart of the paper/pencil and computer versions of the TOEFL, contact the English Language Program. We will be happy to provide you with one.
A TOEFL score is a converted score. It has a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 5. A 55 on the TOEFL is one standard deviation above the mean and a 60 on the TOEFL is 2 standard deviations above the mean.
The English Proficiency Test (EPT) is an in-house test developed and used at K-State. Like the TOEFL, it also tests listening, structure, and reading. It also has a 35-minute essay. The EPT has a mean of 50 but a standard deviation of 10. A 60 on the EPT is one standard deviation above the mean and a 70 is 2 standard deviations above the mean. A 55 on the TOEFL is equivalent to a 60 on the EPT.