Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized computer based test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities. The test helps you stand out confidently in English. It’s the test that measures all four academic English skills — reading, listening, speaking and writing — the way they are actually used in a classroom, so you can be confident you’ll stand out to universities where it counts. The test is accepted by more than 11,000 universities and other institutions in over 190 countries and territories. TOEFL is one of several major English-language tests in the world, others including IELTS, Cambridge Assessment English and Trinity College London exams.
When you choose the TOEFL iBT test to show your English proficiency, universities notice and know you’re ready to succeed. Accepted worldwide by more than 11,500 universities and institutions in over 160 countries, the TOEFL iBT test is the world’s premier English-language test for study, work and immigration.
TOEFL Test Structure
| Section | Time Limit | Questions | Tasks |
| Reading | 54–72 minutes | 30–40 questions | Read 3 or 4 passages and respond to questions |
| Listening | 41–57 minutes | 28–38 questions | Answer questions about brief lectures or classroom discussions and conversation. |
| Break | 10 minutes | — | — |
| Speaking | 17 minutes | 4 tasks | Talk about a familiar topic and discuss material you read and listened in the computer. |
| Writing | 50 minutes | 2 tasks | Read a passage and listen to a recording and then type your response. |
Reading
Description: In this section, you will read 3-4 passages and answer 10 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 30-40
Total time: 54-72 minutes
Listening
Description: In the Listening test section, you will hear lectures and conversations, based on campus language. This section aims to understand the test taker’s ability to understand conversations and lectures in English. It includes listening to basic comprehension and understanding, connecting, and synthesizing information.
Question type:
a) 3–4 lectures (3-5 minutes long, about 500-800 words), 6 questions each
b) 2–3 conversations (about 3 minutes long, about 12-25 exchanges), 5 questions each
Total time: 41–57 minutes
Speaking
Description: 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. Three main factors comprise scoring for the section, viz, delivery, language use, and topic development.
Question type:
a) 1 independent task (prep time: 15 sec; response time: 45 sec)
b) 3 integrated tasks – Read/Listen/Speak
Total no. of questions: 4
Total time: 17 minutes
Writing
Description: The two essays should effectively address a topic each. 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.
Question type:
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
