Many Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools require an F student to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with an application. The purpose of the TOEFL is to test English language proficiency for non-native speakers.

Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the TOEFL. Students must sign up to take the TOEFL at a test center on a designated test day. There are two formats for the test, based on the location of the test centers. Most students take the TOEFL online, but if the test center you choose does not have Internet access, you will have a paper-based test.

ETS offers some free test preparation materials on its website (scroll down to the Free Test Preparation section), including sample questions and an eight-week planner that helps you set weekly practice goals and stay on track as you prepare for the test.

If you are not sure if the school you are interested in requires the TOEFL as part of the admission requirements, ask the designated school official.

Resources:

• Educational Testing Service TOEFL website