Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL, initiated by ETS (Educational Testing Service) is a standardized test of English proficiency for non-native speakers of English. It measures a person's ability to read, write, speak, and understand English used in college or university. It concentrates on the formal academic English used in lectures as well as the informal English used in normal campus life by students, professors, and other college or university employees.

Students take the TOEFL as a requirement to get admission into colleges and universities where English is the preferred language of communication. Some people also take the TOEFL to fulfill the requirements of government departments, licensing boards, certification agencies, or scholarship programs.

The TOEFL test is offered in more locations around the world than any other English-language test. The TOEFL Internet Based Test is given 30-40 times in a year around the globe.

Since its introduction in late 2005, the TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) format has progressively replaced the computer-based tests (CBT) and paper-based tests (PBT), although paper-based testing is still prevalent in many places. The CBT was discontinued in September 2006 and these scores are no longer valid. The PBT TOEFL is no longer available in Nepal. Some career-minded students take the exam to improve their professional prospects by demonstrating their English language proficiency to future employers in their home countries.

Studying at an English university is challenging for many non-native English speaking students as you have to do a lot of reading, complete many written assignments, papers, and projects, and also deliver oral presentations.Although the TOEFL may seem like a difficult exam, preparing for it actually helps you to improve your English and perform well in your studies.