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TOEFL Exam - Test of English as Foreign Language

What is TOEFL Exam?

TOEFL full form: Test of English as Foreign Language

TOEFL is a test of the English language in foreign countries. It is a standardized test to measure the English of non-native speakers willing to apply to American Universities. All English language academies and professional bodies accept it. It is one of the two major tests for the English language along with IELTS. TOEFL is an ETS (Educational Testing Service) trademark. Here is all the information about the TOEFL test.

 TOEFL Eligibility TOEFL Exam pattern
TOEFL Exam dates TOEFL Syllabus 
TOEFL Registration TOEFL Preparation 
TOEFL Exam Fees TOEFL Scores

Types of TOEFL test

There are mainly two types of TOEFL:

1. TOEFL IBT

IBT stands for the TOEFL internet bases test. This test has taken over the older TOEFL CBT (TOEFL Computer-based Test) test. TOEFL CBT was terminated in 2006, and the scores are not valid. Where internet and computer facilities are available, the TOEFL IBT test is taken. Most of the test centers in the world had an internet-based testing system for TOEFL.

2. TOEFL PBT

PBT stands for Paper Based Test. In the areas of the world where internet facilities and Computers are not available, TOEFL paper-based testing is done. It is now replaced by TOEFL PDT, Paper Delivered Test from 2017. The test pattern and Scoring are different from the TOEFL IBT.

Other Types of TOEFL tests:

1. TOEFL Junior:

TOEFL junior is an assessment of middle school level English Proficiency Test. TOEFL junior standard is paper-based, while TOEFL junior comprehensive is a computer-based exam. Subjects for TOEFL junior standard are Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, and Language Form and Meaning. Subjects for TOEFL junior Comprehensive test are Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking Comprehension.

2. TOEFL ITP

TOEFL ITP stands for Institutional Training Program. The test is used to assess English Language Proficiency for institutes’ internal structure. These are closely related to IELTS PBT. The only difference here is the exclusion is the Test of Written Expression.

TOEFL eligibility

There are no fixed eligibility criteria for the TOEFL. However, one must have finished high school to appear for TOEFL. Anyone who wants to study abroad can appear for TOEFL. There is no age limit to TOEFL appearance either. Here is more on that: TOEFL Eligibility

TOEFL exam dates

There are no fixed calendars for the TOEFL exam. Instead, one has to choose the test centers and the website will show you available dates for the Test Centers near you. You will have to choose from the given test dates for the specific centers to book the exam. The Exam centers in your area can be filtered by Date, or by Distance. Once you choose the date and center, there is also an option to choose the test time if available at your particular center. Here is more: TOEFL Exam Dates

TOEFL Registration

To register for the TOEFL exam, one has to create an account with ETS and then book for the Exam through the account. That makes it a two-fold process. First, you have to register on the website with your personal details and other requirements. The next step is to choose a test center near you and book a date when you want to appear for the exam. Here, you can find the step by step registration process for the Registration: TOEFL Registration

TOEFL Exam Fees

The Registration Fees for the TOEFL exam vary with country and location. The fees can be anywhere between $160 to $260. There are also extra charges for the rescheduling, Cancellation, Score Reviews, and more. Here are all you need to know about costs and fees related to TOEFL: TOEFL Exam Fees

TOEFL Exam Pattern

TOEFL iBT (Internet-based test) has a duration of 2 hours 47 minutes to 3 hours 23 minutes with a 10 minutes break & TOEFL PBT (Paper-based test) has a duration of 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. For the module-wise TOEFL Exam pattern, a comprehensive understanding of the speaking module, and types of questions in other modules, click here to read more: TOEFL Exam Pattern

TOEFL Format Update

To enhance the experience of TOEFL iBT, the test duration has been reduced to 3 hours, which is 30 minutes less than before. This was a welcome change by many, who thought the duration was way too much for a computer-based test.

The other significant change in TOEFL Format is ‘MyBest Scores’, which send the universities and institutions the best scores of each module from all the TOEFL exams you have taken in the previous two years. The afternoon sessions are also available for the tests worldwide.

TOEFL syllabus

As we have already mentioned, the TOEFL Syllabus is made of four subjects, called TOEFL modules. They are: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. The test is an assessment of the candidate in all these modules and it provides a score for that, indicating one’s proficiency level in the English language. Here is all you need to know about the different modules of the TOEFL Exam: TOEFL Syllabus

TOEFL Preparation

The right way to approach the TOEFL Preparation is to understand the Exam Pattern and the types of questions better and then start your preparation. There are two ways to prepare for TOEFL Exam. Either self-study or by joining the classes for the preparation. TOEFL test materials and papers are the best ways to go if you are looking forward to self-study. Here is all you need to know about preparing for TOEFL: TOEFL Preparation

TOEFL Scores

The TOEFL Scores have a scale of 0 to 120, which is 0 to 30 for each module. The Speaking section is scored with a scale of 0 to 4, but then it is again converted into a 0 to 30 scale. Here is all you need to know about TOEFL Results and Scores: TOEFL Scores

TOEFL Exam - Eligibility Criteria

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an international exam in English as a foreign language. This test is valid all over the world by many English-speaking professionals and academic institutions. TOEFL is one of the two significant English-language tests in the world, the other being the IELTS.

TOEFL Eligibility  TOEFL Preparation
TOEFL Registration TOEFL Syllabus

TOEFL Eligibility

Many of them have questions in their mind about TOEFL eligibility. The answer to the question is Each and every person who is oriented towards their career are eligible to attempt the TOEFL test for their enhancement. For more details regarding the TOEFL eligibility the following questions and answers will help you out :

Who can appear for TOEFL?

The people who are making plans to study at colleges or universities where instruction is given in English can appear for the TOEFL test. Furthermore, many government agencies, licensing/certification agencies, and scholarship programs use TOEFL scores to find out the English communication skills of that person. So people who want this kind of benefit can give TOEFL.

What is the TOEFL eligibility regarding the age limit of the candidate?

Everyone is eligible for taking the TOEFL exam. There are no restrictions regarding the age limit of the candidate. ETS has not set any guidelines defining an Age limit or minimum age for the candidates. So, there is no hindrance in TOEFL eligibility regarding the age of the person.

What is the TOEFL eligibility regarding the qualifications of the candidate?

Generally, a person who has passed in 10+2 level of education from any recognized institution is an acceptable qualification for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test. In other words, a candidate should have passed from the high school or equivalent to appear for the TOEFL test.

You should be aware of these: Common mistakes made by TOEFL test takers

What is the TOEFL eligibility for re-attempts?

The TOEFL test is conducted over 50 times per year at authorized test centers around the world. You can re-attempt the test as many times as you prefer, but there should be a gap of 12 days between two attempts.

Try these Books as they are considered best by the expert: TOEFL Preparation Books and other Materials

What is the TOEFL eligibility regarding the availability of the document?

The following ID documents should be there for admission to a test center:

  1. A printout of the confirmation email from ETS which has the registration number.
  2. A photo identification card. – You should make sure that it has a photo of you, and that the ID card is not expired. IDs like employee ID, credit card, birth certificate, driver's license, are not valid. The id proof should have your name, signature, and photograph.
  3. Valid Passport with name and photograph National ID with name, photograph, and signature

Many of the institutions have their own TOEFL eligibility criteria, so, it is suggested by the experts that candidates should check the eligibility criteria for the TOEFL exam for individual colleges or universities. The universities in major English-speaking countries like the USA and Canada require students to prove their language proficiency for getting admission to their educational institutions. The validity of TOEFL test scores is for only two years.

Do you know this? If not check this, as it is very important for you: Do’s and don’ts before and on the TOEFL test day

How can I enroll for TOEFL?

For TOEFL registration, candidates need to follow the steps given below by keeping the above mentioned TOEFL eligibility in the mind:

  1. Begin the process by creating your ETS account, for that one has to go to https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/register/ and click on the “Register Online” option..
  2. The tabs show different steps of the Registration process, like Personal Information, Additional Information, Search Services, Username and Password, and Review & Submit. On each page, you will need to fill in this information.
  3. On the ending part of creating an account, you need to create a Username, Password, and Security Question.
  4. Now that you have created your account, the next step is to book the TOEFL on a Test Date at a test center near you. For that, first, you will have to sign in with the username and password you have just created.
  5. Click on the Register / Find Test Centers and Dates to select your location and Dates
  6. Once you select from available Dates, you will be shown the list of centers available. When you click on any of the centers, you will be shown the timings available for that center on that date. If that is convenient for you, you need to click on the “register” option.
  7. Next, you will be asked to provide Identification proof and number, fill it in carefully.
  8. Next, candidates are allowed to choose up to 4 institutions, to send their scores to, as soon as they are available.
  9. The last step is payment but before make sure that the information filled by you is correct.
  10. Once successfully applied, you will receive a notification in your email and ETS account with the exam details and test center.

Get complete information on the TOEFL sections here:

TOEFL Exam - Exam Dates

TOEFL Exam Dates

TOEFL is one of the most taken English language tests in the world. TOEFL stands for Test of English as Foreign Language. As the name suggests, it is an assessment of a candidate’s ability and proficiency in the English Language in modules like reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Before we talk about the TOEFL Exam Dates, here are some useful links to know more about TOEFL Exam:

TOEFL Exam Syllabus  TOEFL Exam Pattern
TOEFL Preparation TOEFL Exam Fees

How to find a TOEFL Exam Date?

One can look for available TOEFL Test centres and test dates before the registration of the exam. Or, one can check the available dates and centres once they log in to their ETS account. There are fixed exam dates available for different regions and countries, however, the best way is to register first, and find the latest test dates at your nearest test centers.

There is no requirement for an ETS account if you just check the Exam dates available. However, if you want to book for IELTS, you will require an ETS account, and then go through the process of Registration. Here, you will find all you need to know about that process: TOEFL Registration

This is how a TOEFL Exam Date lookup can be seen on your display. First, you need to select the locality you want to take the test in. One can easily type two or three letters of their locality, city, or state to find the nearest location that will be seen on the dropdown,

Next, you have a two-month window that you can select. For example, the image shows the window of December 2019 & January 2020. If those are not convenient to you, you can slide through the next window.

You should take note of these things if you want to score well Do’s and don’ts before and on the TOEFL test day

TOEFL provides around 50 Exam Dates in a year.

Once you have selected that window, you will get the available dates and nearby test centres to choose from. You can also filter the Test centers by the Distance. The slots available on the TOEFL Exam Dates are Morning, Noon, and Evening.

Follow these tips to score well in the exam: TOEFL Exam Day Tips

TOEFL Exam Dates Rescheduling:

One can reschedule the TOEFL Exam Dates up to 7 days before the booked test dates. However, it should be done at least four days prior to the Exam Date. The Fees for the rescheduling should be paid before the next booking. The Rescheduling fee for the TOEFL is $60.

You should not repeat these common mistakes done by other TOEFL test takers: Common mistakes made by TOEFL test takers

TOEFL Retake and Number of Attempts:

At once, if you do not get the desired scores, you might need to apply for the Exam again. However, one cannot appear for TOEFL again within 3 days of the test. The good news is, there are no limits on the number of attempts. One can appear for TOEFL Exam as many times as they want.

In Fact, with new MyBest Scores, one can represent their best scores in Each TOEFL module that is Writing, Listening, Speaking, and Reading. The candidate can choose this option and the best scores from each module in the last two years.

If you have any confusion about any of the TOEFL sections, get information here:

TOEFL Exam - Syllabus

TOEFL Syllabus

TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language, and as the name suggests, it is an assessment of a candidate’s ability to comprehend, understand and communicate in the English language. In more than 100 countries, TOEFL is taken for studying abroad and other numbers of reasons. TOEFL iBt, the internet-based test, is the most widely taken of all. Before we dive into the syllabus for the TOEFL exam, here are some of the useful links:

Now that you are familiar with the exam, here is all you need to know about TOEFL Syllabus:

TOEFL is made of four aspects of a spoken and written language, and they are called modules. The four modules of TOEFL are reading, listening, writing, and speaking cover the TOEFL test format for iBT online test. The TOEFL structure and syllabus for four of them is as follows.

TOEFL Scores TOEFL Exam Fees
TOEFL Preparation TOEFL Exam dates

TOEFL Reading Syllabus

Reading is all about reading the passages and answering the questions asked. In reading, there will be 3-5 passages and there will be 12-14 questions in each passage to answer. The total no of questions to be answered will be 50 in the duration of 60-100 minutes. The score will be based on the correctness of each answer in each passage.

Summary:

3 to 5 Passages: 12-14 Questions Asked

Want to know full information of this section, check this out: Reading section of TOEFL

TOEFL Listening Syllabus

In listening, there will be two types of conversations that will be heard. One will be a short conversation and others will be a long conversation. In short conversations after a short conversation, there will 1 question that will be multiple-choice question having options to select from. While in a long conversation, there will be multiple questions to be answered. In listening there will two sections, which are as follows-

Summary:

  • 4-5 lectures that will be 3-5 minutes long and will have 500-800 words with 6 question each and the total no of questions will be 30
  • 2- 3 conversations that will be for more than 3 minutes there will be 12-25 exchanges and there will be 5 questions each. The total no of questions will more than 40 and the time duration will be 60-90 minutes.

For more information about this section, click here: Listening section of the TOEFL

TOEFL Speaking Syllabus

If you want to score well in speaking you should try to fulfil all the requirements of the exam. One should try to avoid mistakes. The total no of questions will be 6 for speaking and the total duration will be 20 minutes. The division in speaking is as follows:-

  • In the first section, there will be 2 independent tasks. The preparation time for this task will be 15 seconds and the time to respond will be 45 seconds.
  • In the second section, there will be 2 integrated tasks. The task will be as follows read-listen-speak. The preparation time for this section will be 30 seconds and the response time will be 60 seconds.
  • In the last section, there will be 2 integrated tasks. The task will be as follows listen-speak. The preparation time for this task will be 20 seconds and the response time will be 60 seconds.

Get complete information about this section here: Speaking section of TOEFL

TOEFL Writing Syllabus

The essay should effectively address a topic. The response should be well-organised and well-developed using relevant explanations and detailed support. Furthermore, it should also display a unity of thought, steady progress and collective thoughts. Make sure your grammar is correct, but also do not be repetitive with sentence structure. Bring variety in sentence formation for higher scores.

Summary

(A) 1 integrated task

Read/Listen/Write (20 minutes)

(Reading time: 3 min; listening time: 2 min; Writing time: 15 min)

(B) 1 independent task (30 minutes)

Total no. of questions: 2

Total time: 50 minutes

TOEFL Exam - Pattern

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) tests the proficiency of non-native speakers of English to use and understand English when they are planning for international education or migration to a foreign country. It is necessary to score good marks in the TOEFL exam as English is spoken, heard and written in colleges and universities location. This test is accepted by many English-speaking academic and professional institutions all over the world, as it is a standardized exam. TOEFL Exam score is officially accepted for a period of 2 years. Even with a sound knowledge of English, it is important that one studies extensively to gain a high score.

Firstly TOEFL exam pattern must be understood properly to prepare in such a manner so as to achieve the desired result. Questions may arise in your mind regarding TOEFL exam pattern like what kinds of questions it’ll ask? how the test is structured? and how you can ultimately use this information to get a high score.

Educational Testing Service(ETS) decides the TOEFL exam pattern. It is the conducting body that has the right to make decisions regarding the TOEFL exam. There is no specific syllabus for the TOEFL exam. Questions can be asked from anywhere, as it is a language test and pays attention to the candidate’s English language skills. However, one should know the TOEFL exam pattern so that it becomes a bit easy to prepare for the TOEFL exam.

TOEFL Scores TOEFL Exam Fees
TOEFL Preparation TOEFL Exam dates

TOEFL exam updates

From august 2019:The TOEFL exam pattern, time duration and marking scheme are witnessed to be changed significantly and apart from these major changes there will also be many helpful options for the candidates are also introduced. TOEFL test time is reduced by 30 minutes, to just 3 hours. According to the recent press announcement by Educational Testing Service (ETS)’s Executive Director of the TOEFL Program, Srikant Gopal, from the beginning of August, test takers will be able to gain a lot more from the format, score reporting and registration process that has been enhanced. So now the difficulty level of the TOEFL exam is reduced and made a bit liberal for the candidates.

TOEFL Exam Pattern

TOEFL Exam Pattern consists of two types. One is the iBT exam (internet-based test) and the other is the PBT exam(paper-based test). To measure your skill or proficiency to communicate, the test is divided into 4 sections, named as Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. Now let’s look at the TOEFL exam pattern section by section:-

Section

Time Limit in Minutes

Number of Questions

Tasks

Reading

54-72 

30-40

3-4 Passages of academic texts and answering questions related to it

Listening

41-57

28–39

Classroom lectures, conversations, and discussions are to be listened to with great attention and answer the questions based on them.

                                    A 10-minute Break is given

Speaking

17

4 tasks

Express an opinion on a familiar topic

Writing

50

2 tasks

Opinions and Arguments Essay, Express your opinions in writing

The test duration of TOEFL will be 3 hours or 180 minutes The total score is the sum of scores of all four sections. The scores are been posted after the 10 days of the exam date. The TOEFL test scores can be viewed online as well. Your official reports will be sent to four institutes of your choice once they are declared, by ETS.

Here is the complete guide for all the four sections of TOEFL

  • Reading section of TOEFL
  • Writing section of TOEFL
  • Listening section of the TOEFL
  • The speaking section of TOEFL

Here are some top tips for dealing with the TOEFL exam :

  1. Understand the TOEFL exam pattern correctly then start preparations for the exam.
  2. Read regularly textbooks of universities or other materials that include a wide variety of subject areas.
  3. Concentrate on the content and flow of spoken material at the time of listening.
  4. Read the short articles regularly so has to improve your reading skills
  5. Learn grammatical structures and use them naturally when speaking.
  6. Make a record of topics that are relatable and practice speaking about them.
  7. Learn to Manage Your Time accordingly with the TOEFL exam pattern. Here is a guide for you: Time management of 3 hours in the TOEFL
  8. During exams try to stick to a one-minute pace per question.
  9. While answering questions in the exam skip difficult questions and return to them later.
  10. Don’t just choose the first answer choice that sounds right, take your time to understand what each answer option means, and then choose the one that you feel is accurate to that particular question.

TOEFL Exam - Cutoff

TOEFL Cutoff for the top universities across the world ranges from 79 to 80. TOEFL scores for top US universities like Columbia, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Brown, and more require a score range of 90 – 100. International candidates generally opt for English-speaking nations like UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. According to the TOEFL band descriptors, a TOEFL score range of 90 – 100 is considered a very good score, and a range of 100 – 110 is considered perfect for securing a chance in Ivy Leagues.

TOEFL Exam - Result

TOEFL IBT is one of the most taken English language exams in the world. It is held and managed by the ETS. Here, we are discussing TOEFL scores, their validity, and what are good TOEFL scores. If you want to know more about the TOEFL exam and how to prepare for it, here are some useful links:

TOEFL Exam TOEFL Eligibility
TOEFL Preparation TOEFL Exam Pattern

This is tested in order to offer a complete and exact picture of the candidate’s proficiency to understand and communicate the English language. Most colleges or universities use TOEFL scores as only one factor in the admission process of a candidate. To get admission in a college or program within a college often a minimum TOEFL score is mandatory.

The iBT test consists of four sections – Reading (30 points), Listening (30 points), Speaking (30 points) and Writing (30 points) – adding up to a total of 120 points. So the candidate can achieve a maximum TOEFL score is 120 points. The table below can give you more clarity of the TOEFL scores :

Section

Score Range

Average Scores

High Scores

Low Scores

Reading

0–30

15-21

22-30

0-14

Listening

0–30

15-21

22-30

0-14

Speaking

0–30

18-25

26-30

0-9

Writing

0–30

17-23

24-30

1-16

Total Score

0–120

0-30 0-30 0-30

TOEFL Results

TOEFL test score is set as a proper standard for the candidates by the institutions. A candidate who applies should score range from 61 to 110 to apply at university. Candidate can get their results after 2 weeks from the test date. By logging in to their TOEFL iBT account on the TOEFL test Registration website, they can see their scores. Printed score reports will be sent to you by mail approximately within 13 days after your test has been conducted. Your official reports will be sent to four institutes of your choice once they are declared, by ETS(Educational Testing Service).

When you get your result on TOEFL scores, a document called “performance feedback” will be attached. This document will give you a brief summary on a general level of each section/skill of the TOEFL. There will be separate comments on your performance for TOEFL Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.

  • The score range for TOEFL Reading and TOEFL Listening is divided into 3 levels in ETS’s performance feedback document. They are high, intermediate, and low.
  • For TOEFL Speaking, ETS’s performance feedback reports give four different levels. They are Good, Fair, Limited, and Weak.
  • Same as TOEFL Reading and Speaking, TOEFL Writing score range is divided into 3 levels in ETS’s feedback performance document. They are Good, Fair, and Limited.

SECTION

LEVEL

SCORE RANGE

 

TOEFL Reading or Listening

 

High

22-30

Intermediate

15-21

Low

0-14

 

TOEFL Speaking

 

Good

26-30

Fair

18-25

Limited

10-17

Weak

0-9

 

TOEFL Writing

 

Good

24-30

Fair

17-23

Limited

1-16

The validity of TOEFL Score

The validity of TOEFL scores is only for 2 years, during this period it can be sent to any institutes of your choice during that time., You won't be able to access them online or send them to schools once it gets expired. The TOEFL score validity period is fairly short to ensure schools have accurate and current information about your English skills.

With the MyBest Score facility, one can present their best scores achieved in each module from all the exams they have taken in 2 years. Therefore, one can attempt the retake of TOEFL if they are not happy with the scores and provide the best scores to the institutions they want to apply to.

You should know how to manage the time given in the TOEFL exam to complete it: Time management of 3 hours in the TOEFL

How many TOEFL scores do you need?

The answer to the above question depends heavily on where you choose to study. The universities having high status and are competitive often require a 100 or higher score on the TOEFL. While other colleges and universities' requirements ask for TOEFL scores in the range of 60-80. Some colleges and universities don't demand any TOEFL scores for any of the programs offered by them. It is extremely important for students to do good research while choosing abroad for colleges or universities for education. They have to find not only the university's minimum TOEFL score but their suggested scores as well and whether or not they require a specific score for each section of the TOEFL. Sometimes they have to connect with the university in order to get their TOEFL score requirements and other relatable information. Requirements of TOEFL scores are often different, depending on what type of program or degree you want to pursue in that particular college or university.

To get a high score you should try to avoid these mistakes: Common mistakes made by TOEFL test takers

How to set a TOEFL score goal?

1.) Make yourself a chart:

Start by making a chart of the TOEFL score requirement by different universities of your choice. List all the universities and note down their TOEFL score requirements accordingly.

2.) Find your college or university TOEFL score information online :

You have to make good research through online resources out there to help you easily find information for required TOEFL scores, recommended TOEFL scores, the specific score for each section of the TOEFL

3.) Ascertain your TOEFL score goal :

Out of your list of colleges or universities, select the one that has the highest required TOEFL score. And here your goal is set by picking the highest TOEFL score requirement.

You can achieve your targeted score only when you will prepare well. For you, we have made a list of best preparation books here: TOEFL Preparation Books and other Materials