TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language
The TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a globally recognised English proficiency test utilised by universities and colleges for admissions. It assesses reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills, providing scores ranging from 0 to 120. Typically, a score above 90 is considered competitive. For non-native English speakers, the TOEFL is crucial as it demonstrates their ability to comprehend and communicate effectively in English, a fundamental requirement for success in English-medium academic programs. It is widely accepted in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and many other English-speaking nations.
What is the Purpose of TOEFL
The purpose of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is to assess the English language proficiency of non-native speakers, particularly those intending to study or work in environments where English serves as the primary means of communication. The test evaluates skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing, measuring one’s ability to comprehend and utilise English in academic contexts. Additionally, the TOEFL score serves as a standardised measure of language proficiency, aiding institutions in evaluating an individual’s readiness to excel in English-medium academic programs or professional settings.
Types of TOEFL
There are basically two types of TOEFL exams, that is TOEFL- PBT and TOEFL- iBT along with other TOEFL tests such as TOEFL Junior and IPT. The most common is TOEFL iBT. The exam format is made to acknowledge the core of English language for international students. The exam consists of 4 sections to analyse the applicants.
TOEFL PBT: Paper-Based Test
The TOEFL PBT has been discontinued, with the last paper-based test administered in April 2021. Today, the TOEFL test can be taken from home.
The paper-based test used to be conducted offline. With a total duration of 2 hours and 25 minutes, it comprised three sections and was only offered in locations where the internet was not available.
TOEFL iBT: Internet-Based Test
The Internet-based TOEFL consists of four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. According to the new guidelines effective from July 26, 2023, the total duration is 2 hours.
It is one of the preferred types of TOEFL exams and replaced the computer-based test, which has not existed since 2006.
TOEFL Junior Tests
The TOEFL Junior Tests evaluate the English proficiency of middle school students aged 11+. It consists of two formats, i.e. paper-based as well as computer-based. This test has four main sections which include Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Speaking and Writing.
TOEFL Test format
The reading section of the TOEFL assesses your ability to read and comprehend academic content and information. This section consists of two reading passages, each approximately 700 words long. There are ten questions for each passage, and you have 35 minutes to answer them. The passages cover topics typically found in university textbooks and introduce specific subjects. Familiarity with the topics is not required; the information provided in the passages is sufficient to answer the questions. Additionally, if there are unfamiliar words, the reading section includes a glossary with definitions.
The types of questions you will encounter in the reading section include:
- Factual and inferential questions
- Determining rhetorical purpose
- Vocabulary questions
- Sentence simplification
- Text insertion
- Summarise or prose
The listening section assesses your ability to understand English conversations and lectures. It evaluates your basic comprehension skills, your ability to discern the speaker’s attitude and tone, and your capability to connect information and transitions.
This section consists of two parts. Part 1 includes three lectures, each lasting about 3 to 5 minutes. Some lectures may resemble classroom discussions. There are six questions for each lecture, totalling approximately 18 questions. Part 2 comprises two conversations, each around 3 minutes long. There are five questions for each conversation, totalling approximately 10 questions.
The types of questions in the listening section include:
- Identifying the purpose and main content of the lecture.
- Recognising factual details.
- Understanding the function of the speaker’s statements.
- Interpreting the speaker’s attitude.
- Making conclusions and connections between information.
- Inferring implied information.
The writing section assesses your ability to express ideas clearly and coherently in an academic setting.
This section consists of two tasks:
Task 1 – Integrated Writing: You will read a passage and listen to a lecture, then write a response summarizing both. The duration for this task is 20 minutes.
Task 2 – Independent Writing: In this task, you will state and support an opinion in an online classroom setting.
All responses are typed online using the computer keyboard.
Responses are evaluated by both human evaluators and AI scores. Raw scores are then converted to a scaled score ranging from 0 to 30.
The listening section assesses your ability to understand English conversations and lectures.
This section consists of two parts:
Part 1 includes three lectures, each lasting about 3 to 5 minutes. Some lectures may resemble classroom discussions. There are six questions for each lecture, totalling approximately 18 questions.
Part 2 comprises two conversations, each around 3 minutes long. There are 5 questions for each conversation, totalling approximately 10 questions.
The types of questions in the listening section include:
- Identifying the purpose and main content of the lecture.
- Recognising factual details.
- Understanding the function of the speaker’s statements.
- Interpreting the speaker’s attitude.
- Analysing the lecture’s organisation.
- Making conclusions and connections between information.
- Inferring implied information.
The lectures and conversations will feature native English-speaking accents from various countries such as the UK, New Zealand, the US, or Australia.
It is advisable to take notes on the audio items to aid in answering the questions accurately.
| Section | Description | Questions/Tasks | Estimated timings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Read passages and respond to questions | 20 questions | 35 mins |
| Listening | Answer questions about brief lectures of classroom discussions | 28 questions | 36 mins |
| Speaking | Talk about a familiar topic and discuss material you read and heard | 4 tasks | 16 minutes |
| Writing | Read a passage, listen to a recording type your response. State and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion | 2 tasks | 29 minutes |
TOEFL Scoring pattern
You will receive four scaled section scores and a total score.
- Each section has a score range of 0 to 30.
- These scores are then added together for a total score ranging from 0 to 120.
Each skill is assigned four or five proficiency levels, so where your score falls within that range indicates your proficiency level for that skill.
| Skill | Level |
|---|---|
| Reading | Advanced – [24 to 30]; High- intermediate [18 to 23]; Low- intermediate [4 to 17]; Below low-intermediate [0 to 3] |
| Listening | Advanced – [22 to 30]; High- intermediate [17 to 21]; Low- intermediate [9 to 16]; Below row-intermediate [zero to 8] |
| Speaking | Advanced – [24 to 30]; High – intermediate [20 to 24]; Low – intermediate [16 to 19]; Basic – [10 to 15]; Below basic – [zero to 9] |
| Writing | Advanced – [24 to 30]; High – intermediate [17 to 23]; Low – intermediate [13 to 16]; Basic – [7 to 12]; Below basic – [zero to 6] |
Frequently Asked Questions
The TOEFL exam measures the English language proficiency of non-native speakers.
The TOEFL exam is available in Internet-based (iBT) and paper-based formats.
The TOEFL iBT exam lasts about 2 hours according to the new guidelines effective from July 26, 2023.
The TOEFL exam includes Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections.
You can register for the TOEFL exam online through the official TOEFL website.