The admission requirements for foreign students applying to MBA programs in USA colleges and universities are varied. Entrance requirements to the better schools naturally require higher academic standards. One standard of requirements for admission is as follows. Prospective students must take and have passed, with an acceptable score, either the GMAT or the GRE prior to application, possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, submission of all official transcripts from previous schools attended, file an application of MBA admission, maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale, letters of reference from employers, meet the English language proficiency requirements for foreign students which may include one or more of the following: having taken all coursework in English from the 9th to 12th grade in a country where English is the primary language spoken, having graduated from a four year college program where English was the medium of instruction, achieve a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language or 230 on the computer administered test.

The information above is general in nature and each college and university has its own specific standards for admission to their MBA programs, including individual requirements for education and test scores involving tests of English as a second or foreign language.

One of the more popular classes that I teach is the TOEFL. The typical TOEFL student has already obtained their four year bachelor's degree, is currently employed, and is preparing to apply for admission to an American college or university for an advanced degree. These students have already taken TOEFL classes, as part of a group, at private language institutes. The students cite the common reason for asking me for additional instruction was the lack of individual attention given by teachers in the classes at language institute.

The greatest weakness regarding my TOEFL students is the lack of scientific English vocabulary. The TOEFL is vocabulary heavy, at the USA college and university level. One of the most important elements of the TOEFL is its ability to test for knowledge of the extensive vocabulary the international student is likely to have to use during their course of study at college or university. The second weakest study skill involving the TOEFL is the inability to read for detail. Generally, there are two obvious incorrect answers in the selection of TOEFL test answer responses. The remaining responses detail information that can be very closely related. Failure to analyze closely and correctly the very similar and detailed nature of the remaining responses can result in a substantially lower TOEFL test score.

To help insure the success of my students I encourage them to visit websites which offer free TOEFL test exercises. I also encourage them to use the Official TOEFL testing computer software when studying for the TOEFL to help them become familiar with the TOEFL testing format if they are going to take the electronic computerized TOEFL exam.

Here are a few TOEFL study tips that I offer to my students: (1) Read the question and answer responses before reading the test body text. Pay close attention to the key words in the TOEFL question and answer texts, then read the test body text looking for the key words that you read in the question and answer text. Then proceed to answering the questions matching key words in the question text to the test body text. (2) Go to websites on the Internet which offer free speed reading skills development and reading comprehension. There is no risk here, and watching the statistics of the improvement of your reading speed and improvement of correct answers given on the quizzes can be fun. Many of my students' reading speeds are to slow to succeed in passing the TOEFL, so, improving reading speed and comprehension of the material read is of utmost importance.

Study and preparation for the TOEFL can be daunting and difficult. My suggestion is to take it a little bit at a time and do not allow yourself to get burned out. With persistent effort over time and a regular schedule of study students can succeed in passing the TOEFL. Consider this, is the time invested studying and passing the TOEFL worth an increase of income of 30% or more during your career working lifetime? Indeed it is and with an MBA a student can also expect a higher quality job and generally increased quality of life overall.

At the bottom of this page are several comment boards and a poll.  The comment boards provide students with the opportunity to express their opinion (1) if they think USA college and university tests are fair and (2) student´s success stories about their having passed the TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, or the IELTS.  The poll is about students' opinions which of the four tests above are most difficult.  So, your comments and opinions are welcome and may help other students along their way to an advanced degree in their education.