Do College Students Still Need the TOEFL Test as One of Graduation Requirements?

Authors

  • Linna Endah Nur Wahyuni Institut Agama Islam Al Muhammad, Cepu, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69965/mjes.v1i2.100

Keywords:

Perception, TOEFL Test, Graduation Requirement

Abstract

For the last five years of conducting TOEFL as a graduation requirement, IAI Al Muhammad Cepu only focused on how to succeed in the test. Meanwhile, the students’ perception of the TOEFL test tends to be ignored. Based on the phenomenon explained above, the writer intended to gain the pros and cons of students’ perception on the TOEFL test as one of the graduation requirements, also whether the TOEFL preparation class is needed or not. This study became essential to be conducted since the findings will be beneficial for many universities considering the regulation for conducting TOEFL Test as one of the graduation requirements. The writer used a qualitative method in which questionnaire and interview as the instruments.  From 68 participants who filled out the questionnaire and 12 participants involved in the interview; the findings showed that nearly all participants had pros perception on TOEFL as a graduation requirement. Most of the participants considered TOEFL motivated them to learn English better. Besides, few students had cons perception on the TOEFL test. The students encountered some challenges including little knowledge of the material, grammar mastery, and technical errors during the test. Moreover, the finding revealed that most students perceive that an intensive preparation class is strongly needed. 

References

Alek, Farkhan, M., Nurlia, V., & Haucsa, G. M. (2019). University students’ perception on TOEFL as a graduation requirement: A case in UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. Elite Journal, 1(1), 51-64. https://elitejournal.org/index.php/ELITE/article/view/12

Ananda, R. (2016). Problems with section two ITP TOEFL test. Studies in English language and education, 3(1), 35-49. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v3i1.3387

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-00

Ary et al. (2010). Education to research in education. UK: Wadsworth Cengage Learning

Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., & Sorensen, C. (2010). Introduction to Research in Education. Canada: Thompson Wadsworth.

Aziz, A. L. (2016). The implementation of minimum TOEFL score-obtaining as a graduation requirement in higher education: Students' perspective. International Journal of Management and Administrative Sciences (IJMAS), 76-87. https://www.ijmas.org/4-3/IJMAS-4309-2016.pdf

Azra Zakiah, Dahnilsyah , Masyhur. (2023). Students’ Perception Toward Toefl Prediction Test As One Of The Graduation Requirements From University: Universitas Riau.

Bhakti, S. L. O. T., & Marwanto. (2013). The perception of “diploma IV” accounting study program of Samarinda state polytechnic on TOEFL. JurnalEksis, 8 (2). 2309—2313.

Belch, H. (2004). Sensation and perception. US: Social Studies School Service. Modul

Botswana Examinations Council. (2013). TOEFL — BEC - Botswana Examinations Council. Retrieved 2013, from Botswana Examinations Council: http://www.bec.co.bw/externalexams/toefl.

Brown, H.D. (2003). Language assesment principles and classroom practices. New York: Pearson Education

Educational Testing Service. (2016). Test Taker Handbook. The TOEFL ITP Assessment Series. Boston: Princeton.

Kacung, Haris, Nuraini. (2019). The Students’ Perceptions On A Test Of English Proficiency As Graduation Requirement: Sanata Dharma University Jogjakarta.

Karjo, C. H., & Ronaldo, D. (2019). The validity of TOEFL as entry and exit college requirements: Students' perception. In proceeding of the Eleventh Conference on Applied Linguistics (CONAPLIN 2018), 326-330 http://dx.doi.org/10.2991/conaplin-18.2019.63

Kasschau, R.A. (2003). Understanding psychology. Ohio: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Mahmud, M. (2014). The EFL students’ problems in answering the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A study in Indonesian context. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 4(12), 2581-2587.doi:10.4304/tpls.4.12.2581-2587

Mcdonald, S. M. (2012). Perception: A concept analysis. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge, 23(1), 2-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2047- 3095.2011.01198.x

Miles, M.B & Huberman, A.M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis (2nd Ed.). Thoasand Oaks, London: Sage Publications, Inc.

Murray, N. (2016). Standards of English in higher education: Issues, challenges, and strategies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Musahadah. (2015, January 3). Lulusan Unesa harus TOEFL 425. Retrieved from http://surabaya.tribunnews.com/2015/01/03/lulusan-unesa-harus-toefl-425

National Council of Teachers of English. (2014). How Standardized Test Shape-and LimitStudent Learning. A Policy Research Brie

Novita, Gede, Rafista, Khairun. (2022). Student's perception of the TOEFL preparation course proposal team: English Education Study Program, University of Lampung

Prima, Z. (2016, January 21). Nilai TOEFL 425 Harga Mutlak Kelulusan Mahasiswa FISIP. Retrieved from http://fisip.unair.ac.id/berita/read/38/Nilai-TOEFL-425-HargaMutlak-Kelulusan-Mahasiswa-FISIP.

Phillip, D. (2000). Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL test. Volume A Skills and Strategies. (2nd ed.). Jakarta: Prenhallindo.

Silvia. (2022). The Students’ Perception toward TOEFL Test (a Study on Cognitive Component): JIIP Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan.

Schacter et al. (2009). Psychology. US: Worth Publishers

Singh, Y.K. (2006). Fundamental of research methodology and statistics. New Delhi: New Age International Publishers

Suryaningsih, Hartati, "Students' Perceptions of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Tests" (2014). Theses and Dissertations (All). 1235: Indiana University of Pennsylvani. http://knowledge.library.iup.edu/etd/1235

Teuku, Azhari, Juwita Sahputri, Rasyimah. (2021). Analysis of Student Perceptions on the Implementation of Required TOEFL Test before Graduation: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Social Science, Political Science, and Humanities (ICoSPOLHUM 2021).

Warfield, W., Laribee, R., & Geyer, R.W. (2013). Examining Results and Establishing Benchmark Data from the TOEFL ITP test. American Academic & Scholarly Research Journal, 5(3): 191-198.

Wittig, A.F. (2001). Introduction to psychology. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Yanto, Moliga, Makmur. (2019). Students’ Perception Toward The Implementation Of The TOEFL Test As Requirement For Graduation. UIN Jambi. English Language, Linguistics, Literature, And Education Journal (ELLTURE JOURNAL)

Yan, W. & Cheng, L. (2015). How language proficiency contributes to Chinese students’ academic success in Korean universities. Language Testing in Asia. 5(8). DOI 10.1186/s40468-015-0016-2

Downloads

Published

2025-01-09

How to Cite

Wahyuni, L. E. N. (2025). Do College Students Still Need the TOEFL Test as One of Graduation Requirements?. Majapahit Journal of English Studies, 1(2), 131–155. https://doi.org/10.69965/mjes.v1i2.100