Is PBT an easier or harder than CBT?

[Smita]

Dear Torsten,

Thanks a lot for your reply. I must say your site is really good and your reply makes me bit confident.

Well! I have already applied in SIUC for physical education master course.I have sent all relevent documents but I got a letter from department that I need to achieve around 220 but unfortunatly I am working in Doha, Qatar in school as a PE teacher and no facility of CBT test. So I have registered for PBT. I really need to know PBT is easier or harder than CBT?

Can u tell me meaning of phrase " be better off ". I am from India but I have worked in thailand and now in Doha.I am 25 year old. Its my dream to study in USA for better training nad teaching in future.

Now as U know my score of CBT please guide me .I would be grateful. I have problem in finishing on time.

Hope to get your reply soon.
Smita

TOEFL listening discussions: A conversation between a student and his counselor

[Torsten]

Dear Smita,

Let's start with the phrase you are better off. It means that you are in a better situation or better condition or that you should choose another option. Example: You probably will be better off taking the PBT as opposed to the CBT.
Now regarding your question which test version is easier to take - I really think it doesn't matter whether you choose the computer based test or the paper option. The scores of both tests correlate with each other and in either case your proficiency of the English language will be measured. Smita, you are a PE teacher, this means you know how to get prepared for a competition. You know how to build up stamina and you can design training plans. It's the same with learning a language. You have to exercise every day. I understand you want to achieve a certain score in the TOEFL to meet the admissions requirements of the school you are applying at. But then again what really counts is your ability to communicate, think and understand information in English. Now, you have everything you need to master the English language. With the right timing you will be able to achieve any score in the TOEFL. So, use the remaining days until the exam to practice the areas you have the most room for improvement and then take the test. If you get the score your school requires you might be able to study there if not you can take another swing in a few months. Don't put yourself under too much pressure. Again, you have to design a detailed training plan that covers the next few days and then stick to it!
Let me know what you think.
Torsten

TOEIC listening, photographs: A windmill

[Smita]

Dear Torsten,

I am really delighted by your email.I never expected such a wonderful reply from you.
I am preparing after my teaching classes such as listening BBC, CNN and watching english movies. I have watched almost 25 english movies.I think listening will be not a big problem or I can say I can score between 85% to 95% because I found one interesting thing in PBT i.e 30 short conversation. Its nice! I had practiced with volume 1 sent by ETS TOEFL and I did only 4 mistake in listening but can u tell me one thing why I am not confident about writing;sometimes I score 8 out of 10 sometimes 6. I am really afraid. Give me some tips for reading. Last time I couldn't finish on time otherwise i would have been now in School...this time I really dont want to miss the chance.Give me some tips.....
okay! would u mind telling me one thing? Are u from which county? If u really dont mind it!

Takecare.
Smita