TOEFL Exam | Guide to ETS TOEFL Exam Pattern & Process

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized test designed to evaluate the English language proficiency of non-native speakers aspiring to pursue higher education or professional opportunities in English-speaking environments. Developed and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), the TOEFL assesses a test taker's ability to understand and use English in academic settings. The test comprises four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The Reading and Listening sections gauge comprehension skills, while the Speaking section assesses oral proficiency, and the Writing section evaluates written expression. TOEFL scores are widely accepted by universities and institutions worldwide, making it a crucial tool for international students. The test aims to ensure that individuals can effectively communicate and succeed in English-based academic and professional settings, providing a fair and reliable measure of language proficiency for diverse global candidates.

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Types of TOEFL

There are mainly three types of TOEFL tests administered by ETS - TOEFL iBT, TOEFL PBT, and TOEFL Essentials.

TOEFL iBT - It is administered through the internet and is available at authorized test centres. The test has four sections - Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
TOEFL PBT - It is a Paper Based Test, meaning it is delivered through paper. The test is available where there is no internet connection or facility. The test has three sections - Reading, Writing and Listening. There is no speaking section due to the lack of a technological system for registering responses. This test is no longer offered effective April 11, 2022. However, the test scores will remain valid for two years from the test date.
TOEFL Essentials - It was introduced recently. It is similar to the TOEFL iBT. The only difference is that the test duration is only 1.5 hours and the students can submit a Personal Statement video for the institutions. The personal statement video is not scored and is only for the institutions to get to know the candidate better. The exam can be taken at home.

There are other TOEFL tests as well for students and individuals to learn the language.

TOEFL Primary - for ages 8 and above.
TOEFL Junior - for ages 11 and above.
TOEFL ITP - for ages 16 and above.

TOEFL Highlights

Specific	Explanation
Exam Name	TOEFL
Full-form	Test of English as a Foreign Language
Official Website	The TOEFL Family of Assessments
Accepted Countries	Institutions in the USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand, and Australia.
Conducted By	Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Mode of Exam	Internet-based, Home Tests
Test Fee - TOEFL iBT	$190
Test Fee TOEFL Home Edition	$190
Test Fee - TOEFL Essentials	$100
Late Registration Charges	$40
Score Range	0 - 120 (four sections of 30 points each)

Which popular universities accept the TOEFL score?

More than 11,000 universities worldwide accept the TOEFL score. The TOEFL Essentials was recently launched and is in the process of getting approved by major universities.

University
University of Montreal (Canada)
University of Winnipeg (Canada)
University of British Columbia (Canada)
Seneca College (Canada)
Essec Business School (France)
Erasmus University (Netherlands)
University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
London School of Economics and Political Science
University of Essex
University of Glasgow
University of Leeds
University of Westminster
University of Arizona
University of California, Berkeley
University of Denver
University of Colorado
Yale University
University of Florida
Northwestern University
Johns Hopkins University
University of Maryland
Boston University
Columbia University
New York University
Pace University
Cornell University
Oregon State University
University of Michigan

Which countries accept the TOEFL score?

TOEFL is accepted by English-speaking countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries as well.

What are the eligibility criteria for the TOEFL exam?

There are no eligibility criteria to take the TOEFL exam. Students can take the exam to test their English language skills or for purely academic reasons such as studying in an English-speaking country. There are no age restrictions as well.

TOEFL exam fee

The exam fee depends on the country of residence. For Indian candidates, the exam fee is as follows -

TOEFL iBT - $190

Important dates for the TOEFL exam

The TOEFL iBT exam is administered all around the year, more than 60 times a year. The TOEFL Home Edition is available 24 hours a day, 4 days a week, with an appointment as early as 24 hours after registration.

Format for the IELTS Academic Test

Skill	Format
Listening Section	Questions - 30 to 40 Duration - 41 - 57 minutes
Reading Section	Questions - 30 to 40 Duration - 54 - 72 minutes
Writing Section	Questions - 2 Duration - 50 minutes
Speaking Section	Questions - 4 Duration - 17 minutes

What is the TOEFL score range?

There are 4 sections in the test.

Each section is scored on a scale of 30 points.
Sections added together form a total score range of 0-120.

Skill	Level
Listening Section	Advanced (22–30) High-Intermediate (17–21) Low-Intermediate (9–16) Below Low-Intermediate (0–8)
Reading Section	Advanced (24–30) High-Intermediate (18–23) Low-Intermediate (4–17) Below Low-Intermediate (0–3)
Writing Section	Advanced (24–30) High-Intermediate (17–23) Low-Intermediate (13–16) Basic (7–12) Below Basic (0–6)
Speaking Section	Advanced (25–30) High-Intermediate (20–24) Low-Intermediate (16–19) Basic (10–15) Below Basic (0–9)

What are the top preparation tips for the TOEFL exam?

Top preparation tips to improve your score -

Start preparing in advance: begin studying at least 3 months before the scheduled exam date.
Set a timetable: prepare a schedule and account for every section equally. Follow it religiously.
Concept-clarity: instead of rote-learning, understand the concept and then attempt questions based on it to judge your level of understanding.
Practice and mock tests: attempt at least one practice test paper every week to evaluate your preparation.

What are the test centres in India?

The test is available pan India. Moreover, there is a TOEFL Home Edition test available for students unable to travel due to the pandemic or any other reason. The available test centres, date and time can be checked on the ETS website.