Everything you must know about TOEFL Exam
What exactly is the ETS TOEFL Exam?
TOEFL is an abbreviation for Test of English as a Foreign Language.
The ETS TOEFL exam is a worldwide recognized, standardized English language test designed to assess international students’ English competence in Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, as the English Language Test score is important in the abroad education admission process. Over 150 countries accept the TOEFL exam score, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Since its beginnings in 1964, the ETS TOEFL exam curriculum and techniques have matched the requirements of universities and institutions. The most recent version occurred in 2005, and the test was dubbed TOEFL iBT. The test currently includes exercises that assess whether the candidate’s Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking abilities meet the demands of today’s top-tier academic institutions.
TOEFL Exam Specifications
ETS TOEFL Exam ways:
The ETS TOEFL administers the English proficiency exam in two ways. There are two types of TOEFL exams: internet-based (TOEFL iBT) and paper-based (TOEFL PBT).
TOEFL iBT ETS Test
The TOEFL-IBT test is the most popular, with over 90% of students taking the exam through the internet. The TOEFL-IBT exam is divided into four sections: speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Students must complete all portions on a computer equipped with a microphone and camera. Because the IBT test pattern lacks a specific portion to assess applicants’ grammar skills, the writing section is closely examined.
TOEFL ETS – PBT
The TOEFL PBT is an English language test that is administered on paper. Students who do not live near internet-based testing centers can take this exam. The TOEFL PBT test structure differs from the IBT in that it includes a separate essay part. The recordings in the PBT’s listening part are shorter than those in the IBT.
Why should you take the ETS TOEFL Exam?
Students from all across the world can book an online TOEFL test and find exam centres in their home country. Students can choose a convenient timetable because there are 50 ETS TOEFL iBT test dates in a year. The test results will be available in about 10-15 days. The TOEFL examination rates students’ English competence on a scale of one to four; the speaking test is administered by three to four proctors.
What exactly is ETS TOEFL login?
The ETS TOEFL login is the site via which you can register for the TOEFL IBT Exam. Students can use their login credentials to do the following:
- You can reschedule, cancel, or view your registration information.
- View or apply for a testing location.
- TOEFL scores can be downloaded or viewed.
- To change information such as your phone number or email address.
How can I register for the TOEFL exam using my ETS account?
- Register at the official ETS website.
- Make careful to enter your name exactly as it appears on your identity paper on the day of the TOEFL test.
- You will receive a confirmation email after providing all required information and creating a profile.
- Log in with your password and then click the ‘Register for a Test’ option.
- Select a test date and location.
- Finish the TOEFL registration procedure.
- You can register online up to 15 days before a test date.
How do I register for the TOEFL by mail?
- Download the TOEFL Registration Form from the ETS website.
- Fill out the form using a blue or black ink pen.
- Send the form and payment to the address listed on the registration form.
- Please submit the form at least four weeks before the test date.
- Receive the email confirmation.
How can I register for the TOEFL over the phone?
- To register and take the test, call the TOEFL Regional Registration Centre directly.
- Students who register by phone must do so at least 7 days before the test date.
- The registration cost can be paid by debit or credit card.
ETS TOEFL Exam Fee
| ETS TOEFL EXAM FEE | Value |
| Late registration | US$50 |
| Registration | Fees vary by testing location |
| Rescheduling | US$60 |
| Reinstatement of cancelled scores | US$20 |
| Additional score reports (per institution or agency) | US$20 each |
| Speaking or Writing Section score review | US$80 |
| Speaking and Writing Section score review | US$160 |
| Returned payment | US$20 |
What is TOEFL Scholarship?
Eligibility for the TOEFL Examination
What is the TOEFL exam eligibility?
There are no age or certification requirements for eligibility. However, while taking the exam, the individual must have a valid passport. For Nepalese students, the TOEFL eligibility conditions are the same as the general standards.
What is the TOEFL test passing score?
Because each university has its own minimal mark for this test, there is no common passing grade. The overall band score of the test taker must meet the college/university’s qualifying requirements.
How many times can the TOEFL be retaken?
There are no time limits on how many times you can retake the exam. However, there must be a three-day break between efforts.
What are the documents that must be brought with you to the exam?
The candidate must have a paper copy of the confirmation email from the ETS that includes the registration number.
A current passport.
How can I sign up for the TOEFL?
- You must first register with ETS at https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/register/.
- Select the’Register Online’ option.
- Fill in all of the required information, evaluate it, and submit it.
- Create an account by providing a username, password, and security question (Once you have an account, you can select an appropriate day and testing location).
- After selecting the date and place, click on the register.
How should I prepare for the TOEFL exam?
You can either enrol in a TOEFL tutoring programme near you or begin preparing on your own as long as you have the necessary tools. However, by attending a tutoring centre, you can benefit from qualified TOEFL trainers’ instruction and services.
The average preparation period is less than three weeks with persistent hard work. If you want to get a high band score on the TOEFL, you should start studying at least 2-3 months before the exam.
If you are preparing on your own, you could use the TOEFL exam preparation resources listed below:
TOEFL exam preparation books | Details |
TOEFL iBT: The Official ETS Study Guide | This is a best-selling guide that provides users with a range of tips, practice exercises and skill-building methods. This book consists of hundreds of real TOEFL exam question papers, essay topics and practice exercises for all four sections – listening, reading, writing and speaking. |
The Complete Guide to the TOEFL Test iBT Edition by Bruce Rogers | This guide focuses on developing particular skills that are necessary to take the test. |
Delta’s Key to the TOEFL iBT: Advanced Skill Practice | With this book, you will receive an audio CD that contains over 9 hours of audio. With the help of the audio exercises in the CD, you can master the listening section. In addition to this, it also contains 35 units in reading, listening, writing and speaking in the TOEFL iBT format, along with 1200 questions for practice. |
ETS TOEFL Practice Exam:
TOEFL Reading Practicum:
Regular reading is one of the finest strategies to prepare for this section. To improve their vocabulary, test participants can read newspapers, university textbooks, magazines, and a wide range of literature. They must also make an effort to summarize or draw inferences from what they read. This will help them improve their understanding abilities.
Listening Practice Test for the TOEFL:
In this phase, the test taker must begin by listening to a variety of audio files, such as news stories, songs, movies, and documentaries. Making conclusions from the audio will help you understand it better.
TOEFL Writing Sample Exam:
Test takers might construct a list of the most frequently encountered themes in the writing portion. Students can then begin the preparation process by writing about them. For each topic, test takers must introduce a statement and come up with an appropriate evidence-based conclusion.
TOEFL Speaking Exam Practice:
The vocabulary gained from the reading tasks can be applied to the test. They must also work on increasing their grammar abilities, pronunciation, and intonation patterns. Test takers can also prepare for some of the most popular topics in this area on their own.
Beginning July 26, the TOEFL exam pattern will be shortened.
ETS, the TOEFL exam’s administering authority, has reduced the TOEFL exam pattern to slightly under 2 hours and has planned various enhancements to the TOEFL test overall experience to be online on July 26, 2023. The enhancements will only help ETS’s goal of providing a smooth experience to TOEFL English language test takers who want to study abroad.
We’ve included a comparison of the current TOEFL exam pattern and the TOEFL exam design that will be implemented beginning July 26, 2023.
| Sections | TOEFL Exam Pattern (current) | TOEFL Exam Pattern (new) [w.e.f July 26] |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL Reading Section | Duration: 54 – 72 minutes Questions 30-40 | Duration: 35 minutes Questions 20 |
TOEFL Listening Section | Duration: 41-57 minutes Questions: 28 – 39 | Duration: 36 minutes Questions 28 |
TOEFL Speaking Section | Duration: 17 minutes Questions: 4 tasks | Duration: 16 minutes Questions: 4 tasks |
TOEFL Writing Section | Duration: 50 minutes Questions: 2 tasks | Duration: 29 minutes Questions: 2 tasks |
| Total Duration: 162 – 196 minutes | Total Duration: 116 minutes |
TOEFL Exam Syllabus 2023 (current)
Here is the latest TOEFL syllabus for the benefit of our TOEFL test-takers.
| Sections | Number of Questions / Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 3–4 passages – 10 questions each | For the TOEFL Reading section, candidates would be required to read multiple passages and answer 30 – 40 questions. |
| Duration: 54-72 minutes | ||
| Listening | 3-4 Lectures and 2-3 Conversations – 10 questions each | For the TOEFL Listening section, candidates would be required to answer questions about brief lectures or classroom discussions. |
| Duration: 41-57 minutes | ||
| Speaking | 4 tasks | For the TOEFL Speaking Section, candidates would be required to talk about a familiar topic and discuss material they have read and listened to. |
| Duration: 17 minutes | ||
| Writing | 2 tasks | For the TOEFL Writing Section, candidates would be required to read a passage, listen to a recording and type their response. |
| Duration: 50 minutes |
TOEFL Syllabus: Reading Comprehension Section
In this section, the candidate will be required to read 3-5 passages and answer 12-14 questions on each passage. The section is scored based on the number of correct reading comprehension responses.
Question type: 3–4 passages, 10 questions each
Total no. of questions: About 40
Total time: 54-72 minutes
TOEFL Syllabus: Listening Section
In this section, you will hear short conversations as well as long conversations. After the short conversation, you will be asked one question and multiple choices of answers will be given. You have to choose one answer. In long conversations, you will be asked multiple questions based on the conversation.
Question type: a) 3–4 lectures (3-5 minutes long, about 500-800 words), 6 questions each; About 30 questions in total
b) 2–3 conversations (about 3 minutes long, about 12-25 exchanges), 5 questions each; About 12 questions in total
Total no. of questions: 40+
Total time: 41–57 minutes
TOEFL Syllabus: Speaking Section
For you to earn the highest scores in the Speaking Section, your responses must fulfil the demands of the task given with only minor mistakes or lapses. The test graders are looking for a highly intelligible and sustained conversation. There are three main factors that comprise scoring for the section.
Speaking Questions covered in TOEFL Syllabus:
a) 1 independent task (prep time: 15 sec; response time: 45 sec)
b) 3 integrated tasks – Read/Listen/Speak (prep time: 30 sec; response time: 60 sec)
Total no. of questions: 4
Total time: 17 minutes
TOEFL Syllabus: Writing Section
The essay should effectively address a topic. The response should be well-organized and well-developed using relevant explanations and detailed support. Furthermore, it should also display unity, progression, and coherence. If you want to achieve a high writing score, make sure that you demonstrate syntactic variety and appropriate word choice with minor grammatical errors.
Writing Questions Covered in TOEFL Syllabus:
a) 1 integrated task – Read/Listen/Write (20 minutes) (reading time: 3 min; Listening
time: 2 min; writing: 15 min)
b) 1 independent task (30 minutes)
Total no. of questions: 2
Total time: 50 minutes
TOEFL Exam Pattern 2023
TOEFL pattern: Given below is a detailed TOEFL Exam pattern 2023 for the benefit of our test takers.
Sections | Number of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
Reading | 3–4 passages – 10 questions each | 54-72 minutes |
Listening | 3-4 Lectures and 2-3 Conversations – 10 questions each | 41-57 minutes |
Speaking | 4 questions | 17 minutes |
Writing | 2 tasks | 50 minutes |
TOEFL Scoring Scale:
•Your Score Report will include the Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing component scores, as well as the overall score.
•Each section’s band score ranges from 0 to 30.
•The overall score ranges from 0 to 120 based on the combined score of all four components.
| Section | TOEFL Score Range | Proficiency Level |
| TOEFL Reading Section | 0-30 | Poor (0–14) Average (15–21) Proficient (22–30) |
| TOEFL Listening Section | 0-30 | Poor (0–14) Average (15–21) Proficient (22–30) |
| TOEFL Speaking Section | 0-30 | Poor(0–9) Below average (10–17) Average (18–25) Proficient (26–30) |
| TOEFL Writing Section | 0-30 | Poor – Below average (1–16) Above average (17–23) Proficient (24–30) |
| TOEFL Total Score | 120 | – |
TOEFL Scores
How do I check my TOEFL score?
You will be notified by email when your results are ready. You can then check in to your TOEFL account and click on ‘View Scores’. Your printed result will be mailed to you 11 days following the test.
What is the validity period for TOEFL scores?
The TOEFL certification is valid for two years from the exam date.
What is the typical TOEFL score?
A TOEFL score of 100 or higher is considered good.
What is the maximum TOEFL score?
On the TOEFL IBT, the highest possible score is 120.
When will the TOEFL results be available?
Within 6 to 10 days of taking the exam, applicants’ scores will be available on the TOEFL Official App or their unique ETS account online.
CHART OF TOEFL BAND SCORE
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| Total TOEFL Score | Percentile |
| 120 | 100 |
| 116 | 99 |
| 112 | 97 |
| 108 | 93 |
| 104 | 88 |
| 100 | 81 |
| 96 | 74 |
| 92 | 67 |
| 88 | 59 |
| 84 | 51 |
| 80 | 44 |
| 76 | 37 |
| 72 | 31 |
| 68 | 25 |
| 64 | 20 |
| 60 | 16 |
| 56 | 13 |
| 52 | 10 |
| 48 | 8 |
| 44 | 6 |
| 40 | 4 |
| 36 | 3 |
| 32 | 2 |
| 28 | 1 |
| 24 | 1 |
| 20 | 0 |
| 16 | 0 |
| 12 | 0 |
| 8 | 0 |
| 4 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 |
How long does it take to receive the TOEFL results?
You can view your scores online within 6 days from the date of your test. You will receive the physical copy within 11 days from your test date.
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