The TOEFL test measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level. And it evaluates how well you combine your reading, listening, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks.
Compared to other English-language tests, the TOEFL test includes a number of advantages that help you stand out from other applicants.
- More popular with students.
- More TOEFL scores are sent to U.S. and xanadian universities than all other English-language tests combined.
- More TOEFL scores are sent to German and French universities than any other English-language tests.
- More Preferred by universities.
- The TOEFL test is the English-language test most preferred by universities in the United States, France and Germany, and by graduate programs in Canada.
- Makes Dreams Come True.
- 90% of TOEFL test takers surveyed got into their 1st or 2nd choice university.
- Better for success in the classroom.
Only the TOEFL test prepares you for the academic English requirements of a university. Test questions combine reading, listening, speaking and writing skills just as in an academic classroom. Studying for the TOEFL test helps ensure you arrive at university better prepared than others who have not taken the TOEFL test.
100% Fair and Unbiased Scoring
There are no unfair TOEFL test centers, because tests aren’t scored there. Tests are only scored through a centralized scoring network. The crucial Speaking section uses multiple human raters who do not know test takers’ identities. This prevents the bias that can occur in other tests that use a face-to-face interview with a single rater. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) measures the language ability of people who wish to study or work in an environment where English is the language of conversation. Those who desire university entrance, take the Academic Version and those who are looking to immigrate to an English-speaking country, typically sit the General Training module or SELT (Secure English Language Test) for the UK.
The TOEFL test is given in English and administered via the internet. There are 4 sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) which take a total of about 4 ½ hours to complete, including check-in.
The TOEFL iBT® test is given in English and administered via the internet. There are 4 sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) which take a total of about 4 ½ hours to complete, including check-in.
Combining All 4 Skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing
During the test, you are asked to perform tasks that combine your English communication skills, such as:
- Read, listen and then speak in response to a question
- Listen and then speak in response to a question
- Read, listen and then write in response to a question
TOEFL iBT Test Sections
| Section | Time Limit | Questions | Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 60–80 minutes | 36–56 questions | Read 3 or 4 passages from academic texts and answer questions. |
| Listening | 60–90 minutes | 34–51 questions | Listen to lectures, classroom discussions and conversations, then answer questions. |
| Break | 10 minutes | — | — |
| Speaking | 20 minutes | 6 tasks | Express an opinion on a familiar topic; speak based on reading and listening tasks. |
| Writing | 50 minutes | 2 tasks | Write essay responses based on reading and listening tasks; support an opinion in writing. |
The test you take may include extra questions in the Reading or Listening section that do not count toward your score. These are either questions that enable ETS to make test scores comparable across administrations or new questions that help ETS determine how such questions function under actual testing conditions.
Please read the timing instructions for the Reading Section carefully. The instructions will indicate how many passages you will receive and the amount of time you have to respond to questions for those passages. Be sure to pace yourself so that you have time to answer all the questions.
A standard English language (QWERTY) computer keyboard is used for the test. We recommend that you practice typing on a QWERTY keyboard before taking the test.