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Looking to study or immigrate to an English-speaking country. Well, one of the prerequisites of moving and working in an abroad city is to fulfill the required documents along with a proficiency in the English language. That can be done by appearing in any international test proving English proficiency. One of the international tests is TOEFL (TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
This particular article will take you through some of the key features of the TOEFL test, its exam pattern, fee structure, its registration process, universities accepting scores of tests, its preparation tips, etc.
TOEFL test is an English language proficiency test conducted by Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is accepted by over 11,000 universities and academic institutions in more than 150 countries, such as the US, the UK, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Asia and Europe.
Initially, there were two types of TOEFL tests
● TOEFL iBT (computer based test)
● TOEFL PBT (paper based test)
ETS official authorities have discarded the paper-based test after 11th April 2021. Now, two tests that are conducted for TOEFL are TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT home edition test.
| Exam | TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) |
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| Purpose | English language proficiency test |
| Conducting Body | Educational Testing Service (ETS) |
| Generally accepted by | Universities in the USA and Canada |
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| Mode of Exam | Internet-based and Paper-based |
| Sections | Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking |
| Duration of test | Around 3 hours 30 minutes |
| TOEFL Fee | TOEFL iBT fee: $185 (INR 13,652) |
| Score Range | Reading: 0–30 Listening: 0–30 |
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| TOEFL Test Centres | 4500 across the world |
| Official Website |
The TOEFL iBT test is:
● Preferred by more than 80% of Canadian graduate programs and Canadian universities receive more TOEFL scores than other English-language tests.
● Preferred by the majority of universities in the United States and accepted everywhere.
● Accepted by 100% of U.K. universities, including the prestigious Russell Group schools.
● Accepted by the top European universities and the most preferred English-language test in France and Germany.
● Accepted by 100% of universities in Australia and New Zealand and for all migration visas.
● Widely accepted throughout Asia, including at top universities in mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Malaysia.
The TOEFL test has one registration process which a candidate has to go through to be registered and to take a test. The test date can be chosen along with the test center. However, if not chosen, the date is given on the basis of first come- first served basis. There are three modes of registering for the TOEFL exam.
● Online registration- It is one of the common methods of registering and it should be registered 7 days prior to the exam.
● Registration on call- TOEFL can also be registered for on-call and a number for registration by Indian candidates is 91-124-4147700.
● Registration by mail- The one who does not wish to register via the above two ways, an application form can be downloaded from TOEFL’s official website and can be mailed 4 weeks prior to the exam dates allotted.
TOEFL tests the English proficiency and fluency skills in the English language. Similar to an IELTS exam, TOEFL tests this proficiency on four modules, listening, writing, reading and speaking. The test longs for about 3-4 hours and the detailed section-wise duration is given below.
| Section | Duration | Number of Questions |
| Reading | 54-72 minutes | 30-40 |
| Listening | 41-57 minutes | 28-39 |
| Break | 10 minutes | – |
| Speaking | 17 minutes | 4 tasks |
| Writing | 50 Minutes | 2 tasks |
| Section | Reading | Listening |
Short break 10 minutes | Speaking | Writing |
| Question Types | 3-4 passages from academic texts (about 700 words); 12 – 14 questions per passage | 4 – 6 lectures, 6 questions each; 2 – 3 conversations, 5 questions each | 2 tasks to express an opinion; 4 tasks for speaking after reading/listening to passages | 1 integrated task (writing based on reading and listening); 1 independent task (support an opinion or topic) | |
| Time limit | 60 to 80 minutes | 60 to 90 minutes
| 20 minutes | 50 minutes | |
| Number of questions | 36 – 56 questions | 34 – 51 questions
| 6 tasks | 2 tasks | |
| Score range | 0 – 30 | 0 – 30
| 0-30 | 0-30 |
ETS has offered 4 to 5 competence levels for each module to make your test experience more personalised and to help you understand your score in a better way. So where your score falls within that range indicates your level for that ability. This will offer you an insight of your performance, your strengths, areas that need to be improved, and so on.
| TOEFL iBT Score |
| Level of Expertise |
| 118-120 |
| Expert User |
| 115-117 |
| Very Good User |
| 110-114 |
| Very Good User |
| 102-109 |
| Good User |
| 94-101 |
| Good User |
| 79-93 |
| Competent User |
| 60-78 |
| Competent User |
| 42-59 |
| Modest User |
| 35-41 |
| Modest User |
| 32-34 |
| Limited User |
| 0-31 |
| Extremely Limited / Intermittent / Non English User |
There are some eligibility requirements to appear in TOEFL exam that are as follows:-
● There is no particular age limit specified to appear in the TOEFL exam.
● A candidate must have a 10+2 level qualification from any recognised Indian board.
● A candidate must have a valid passport to appear in the exam.
The section of reading evaluates the ability to understand long academic passages similar to an IELTS test. It assesses the candidate’s ability to understand difficult vocabulary, sentences, various narration styles etc.
Types of questions asked in the reading test are multiple-choice questions, sentence insertion or fill up type questions, which phrase suits in the sentence, what will be the wrong one out of four right options etc.
Listening section judges how a candidate reacts after hearing various sentences in complex structures and different vocabulary further in academic institutions.
Test takers are expected to hear recordings of lectures and academic conversations in tests , out of which some questions will be asked and a student is expected to answer them accordingly.
● Multiple choice questions or multiple choice having more than one correct answer.
● Order questions where a student is required to set an order of activities.
● Matching type of questions
Test takers' ability to write is what is judged in the writing section of the TOEFL exam. Two tasks are taken as a test in this section.
● A combined writing:- One is when a student hears an audio and reads a long passage of about 300 words. On the basis of both, a combined writing of 150-225 words is expected on paper or screen.
● An independent task- Another one is an independent writing task where an experience based essay is asked of about 300 words, where the student is independent of expressing ideas and opinions.
Speaking section is one of the difficult sections of the test. It assesses the ability of candidates to converse in English language. It requires quick thinking, analyzing and replying to ideas. It has two predefined question types
● Independent speaking wherein a candidate is required to speak about personal experiences, introduction or making arguments judging their speaking styles and attitudes..
● Integrated speaking task wherein two or more skills will be blended together such as reading or listening along with.
Approximately 9 out of 10 universities in the USA accept TOEFL scores.
● Harvard University
● Stanford University
● Princeton University
● Michigan State University
● University of Alaska
● George Washington University
● American University
● University of California Berkeley
● University of California Los Angeles
● Texas A&M University
● University of Chicago
● Indiana State University
● Duke University
● New York University
● Miami University
● Pacific University
● North Carolina University
● Dartmouth College
● London School of Economics
● Imperial College London
● University of Oxford
● London Business School
● University of Cambridge
● University of Birmingham
● The University of Edinburgh
● University of Leeds
● University College London
● Newcastle University
● Cranfield University
● University of Liverpool
● The University of Manchester
● University of Reading
● The University of Sheffield
● University of York
● University of Wales
● University of Nottingham
● University of Melbourne
● University of Sydney
● University of Queensland
● Monash University
● La Trobe University
● University of New South Wales
● Victoria University
● Murdoch University
● University of South Australia
● Deakin University
● Curtin University
● International College of Management
● Eynesbury International College
● Swinburne University of Technology
● Macquarie University
● Queensland Institute of Business and Technology
● University of Toronto
● McGill University
● McMaster University
● University of British Columbia
● York University
● Lakehead University
● Brandon University
● Carleton University
● University of Alberta
● Trinity Western University
● St. Thomas University
● Brandon University
● Victoria University
● Saint Paul University
● Acadia University
● Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
● University of Auckland
● Auckland University of Technology
● Victoria University of Wellington
● University of Canterbury
● Massey University
● Wellington Institute of Technology
● University of Otago
● Eastern Institute of Technology
● Ara Institute of Canterbury
● University of Waikato
● Lincoln University
● TOEFL Testing Centres(world)- 4,500
● TOEFL Testing Centres(INDIA)- 59
● Mode of TOEFL Exam (INDIA)- Internet-Based Only
● Exam Frequency- 50 times
● TOEFL Score Validity- 2 Years
● TOEFL Exam Dates- Varies Based on City/State/Available Slots
To check the current exam dates and exam centres in or near your city can be checked by ETS's official website. It is www.ets.org
● Click on the link “see a list of testing locations, dates and fees”.
● Enter the location where you want to give the TOEFL exam and find the test dates within a 2-months period.
● You will see a new screen with dates in the selected duration.
● Select the required TOEFL date and click on “Show test times and Register”.
● You can register directly from here by creating a profile and filling the required information.
TOEFL iBT® test is offered 3 different ways, so you can choose the testing option that best suits your needs and preference:-
● TOEFL iBT test: Test on a computer at a test center.
● TOEFL iBT® Home Edition: Test on a computer at home.
● TOEFL iBT® Paper Edition: Test in 2 sessions — Reading, Listening, and Writing on paper at a test center, and Speaking on a computer at home.
Well, it is an international test of English language. So, resultant, one should be well versed in English language. Practicing it on a daily basis and conversing more in the language is what makes you Pro in it. However, below are some tips to prepare for your TOEFL exam:-
Well, extensive learning means to involve or to jump in an ocean of knowledge. Do whatever you can do to learn.
● Practice vocabulary from online websites or apps available online. The more you know the vocabulary, the more chances of understanding complex passages.
● Read more English books or watch more English audios or videos.
● Converse more in English and do it on a daily basis.
● Read English language newspapers or watch English news channels.
● Read more online articles in the particular language.
● Write essays or your day in English language at the end of the day.
Preparation should be done in one direction. Know your syllabus and contents of all the modules properly and practice for it in an ordered manner. Take care of the demands of the modules and syllabus.
● For the listening section, hear audios available on YouTube app.
● For the reading exam, read more English newspapers.
● For the speaking section, talk about your day at the end of the day.
● For the writing part, practice writing summaries of novels or news. Also try to practice essays.
In order to appear in the TOEFL exam, get involved in the right kind of coaching or choose the right materials to prepare.
One can also take help of online materials available on different websites. Take help of online tutors and it is strictly recommended that one should always appear in an exam after proper preparation. A failure in examination is both a loss of funds and mental condition.
Go for more online tests and appear in more mock tests. There are many institutes and coaching centres which conduct mock tests on weekly or fortnightly basis.
I Hope that this blog has answered all your questions regarding the TOEFL exam. Stay in touch for more informative blogs like this. Set your goal early and go in one particular direction to achieve your ambitions.
Students can also enroll now in BDS Online IELTS Preparation Course today where you will get access to anytime/anywhere IELTS classes, with 400+ detailed video lectures, sample papers, and live classes by Dr. Roma. Candidates can also sign up for IELTS Dr. Roma Writing Templates + Cue Cards Course to get ready essay templates and solutions latest IELTS essay topics. So let's get started with IELTS writing practice.
Best of luck!
Dr. Roma
Content Writer