Two basic types of the TOEFL test exist: a computer-based test (CBT) and a paperbased test (PBT). Until a few years ago, everyone taking the TOEFL test used a pencil and paper version. But now, the computer-based test is given almost everywhere in the world. This book gives you lots of information about how to take the computer-based test, because that is the version you will probably be required to take.

You can take a paper-based test (PBT) only in areas where the CBT is not available. The Supplemental TOEFL Administration Program provides the PBT in areas where the CBT isn’t offered.

The questions asked on the CBT and the PBT are very similar. However, the method of answering those questions differs. On the PBT, each answer choice is assigned a letter: for example, A, B, C, and D. On the CBT, answer choices are not lettered; you simply click with your mouse on the correct answer choice. In this book, we use letters to label answer choices for clarity, even though you won’t see those letters appear on the TOEFL test computer screen.