TOEFL INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

University Policy:

All students at the University of Nizwa must undertake the TOEFL whereby a minimum of 500 score is required to start academic studies. In case a student gets less than 500, he/she will join the Academic Bridging Program. Students may end the required Academic Bridging Period in one semester if he/she gets 500 and more in the TOEFL by the end of the semester. Students may need more than 2 full semesters to achieve the required score. Students in the Foundation Program must achieve a score of 400 on the TOEFL exam and complete 2 full semesters before they are permitted to join the Academic Bridging Program and begin their academic studies. The TOEFL schedule for the academic school year of 2007/2008 is as follows:

Student Registration Procedures:

1.       Students planning on taking the TOEFL examination must first visit the Finance Office and pay their registration fees to the receptionist. Students that have not paid their registration fees will not be allowed to take the exam.

2.       Students that qualify for non-payment TOEFL examinations must register online using their student identification.

3.       Students are required to fill in a form at the Finance Office indicating their intent on taking the examination.

4.       Once the student has paid their TOEFL fees to the Finance Office the student will be issued a stamped receipt.

5.       Students go to Records and Registration with the completed application and the stamped receipt as proof of payment.

6.       Records and Registration processes the application and the student will be put on the TOEFL student list.

7.       Students must register for the TOEFL examination before the deadline expires.

Student Examination Procedures:

1.      University of Nizwa Students must report to Al Shabaa Auditorium at 8:30 A.M.

2.      Non-University Students must report to Building 15L at 8:30 A.M.

3.      Every student must have valid picture identification. If a student does not have identification they will NOT be permitted to take the TOEFL examination.

4.      Students arrive early to their examination rooms to sign-in for the TOEFL examination.

5.      Students present their identification to the invigilator, check their name on the sign-in sheet to ensure that their name is spelt correctly and that their identification numbers match correctly, and then they sign their name.

6.      Before the exam begins students must check that the I.D. number on the top left hand corner of the answer sheet matches their national I.D. number (not their university ID). 

7.      Students must TURN OFF their mobile phones. If mobile phones are suspected of being used during the examination the student will be considered to be cheating and will fail.

8.      Students should bring a pencil and an eraser.

9.      All books and bags must be placed on the floor under the student’s chair.

10.  Students must sit in their designated seat indicated by the invigilators.

11.  Students who are late for the examination will not be allowed into the examination.

12.  Students will not be allowed to talk during the examination.

13.  If a students needs to take a toilet break the invigilator will hold both the Question Booklet and the Answer Sheet until the student returns.  The student will not be allowed any extra time.

14.   Students will not be permitted to leave the examination early. They must remain seated quietly until all exams are collected and counted.

15.   Student cheating will not be tolerated and students suspected of cheating will be given a score of “0”.

Advice & Tips to Students Taking the TOEFL Examination:

1.       Study for at least 2 hours a day for a month on your own at home before you decide to take the TOEFL examination. This will greatly increase your chances of passing the examination and obtaining a good score.

2.       Eat a big breakfast in the morning before you take the test. Studies have shown that students do better on exams when they have had a proper nutritional breakfast.

3.       Have at least 8 hours of sleep the night before your TOEFL exam. Proper rest allows your brain to function more efficiently and clearly.

4.       Relax before you take the exam. Exams are very stressful for students; students that are relaxed and confident before an exam usually get much better results. Try to be optimistic, especially if you know you have done your best to study for the TOEFL exam.

5.       Do not take the TOEFL exam if you have not studied properly, you are only wasting your time and money. To pass the TOEFL examination takes a lot of hard work, dedication and perseverance. Make sure you have studied and prepared for it well in advance.