The TOEFL iBT 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
?Why Take the TOEFL Test
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 90% of TOEFL test takers surveyed got into their 1st or 2nd choice university
2 Better for Success in the ClassroomOnly 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 ScoringThere 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
?Who Takes the TOEFL Test
More than 35 million people from all over the world have taken the TOEFL test to demonstrate their English-language proficiency
The average English skill level ranges between Intermediate and Advanced. Students planning to study at a higher education institution English-language learning program admissions and exit Scholarship and certification candidates English-language learners who want to track their progress Students and workers applying for visas Where Can I Get Local, In-language Support
You can contact a local TOEFL iBT Resource Center for general in-language information about the TOEFL test and test preparation. TOEFL iBT Resource Centers are available in specific countries
?Who Accepts TOEFL Test Scores
TOEFL scores are accepted by more than 10,000 universities and other institutions worldwide, including universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K., the United States, and across Europe and Asia. It is the English-language test most preferred by universities in the United States, France and Germany, and by graduate programs in Canada. For more information, including using your scores to satisfy visa requirements in Australia and the U.K., how to find institutions that accept TOEFL scores, and more, see Who Accepts TOEFL Scores.
?Where and When Can I Take the TOEFL iBT Test
The TOEFL test has over 50 test dates per year at authorized test centers around the world. You can retake the test as many times as you wish, but you cannot take it more than once in a 12-day period
If you already have a test appointment, you cannot register for another test date that is within 12 days of your existing appointment
The registration fee is due each time you register for a test date. This retake policy will be enforced even if a violation is not immediately identified (for example, inconsistent registration information)
If the violation is identified after registration but before the test date, your test appointment will be canceled and your test fee will not be refunded
If the violation is not identified until after your scores have been reported, your scores will be canceled. You and any score recipients will be notified by a cancellation letter, and your test fee will not be refunded. Watch a short video (Flash) to see what happens at one of our TOEFL iBT test centers on test day
?What Resources Can Help Me Prepare for the TOEFL iBT Test
ETS offers a variety of paid and free preparation materials to help you get ready for the TOEFL test
TOEFL iBT Test Content
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
Native-speaker English Accents
The Listening and Speaking sections of the TOEFL iBT test include other native-speaker English accents in addition to accents from North America
You may hear accents from the U.K., New Zealand or Australia. ETS added these accents to better reflect the variety of native English accents you may encounter while studying abroad. Below are examples similar to what you might hear in the Speaking and Listening sections.
Listening Section
Listen to a talk about the greenhouse effect (MP3)
The lecturer is from Great Britain
Speaking Section
In the Speaking section, only items 1 and 2 of the 6 tasks may have accented speech. Below are two examples similar to what you might hear
The speakers are from Great Britain. In each instance, the example is 15 seconds long, and you would have 45 seconds to respond
|
Audio File |
Transcript |
|
Item 1 (MP3) |
If friends from another country were going to spend time in your country, what city or place would you suggest they visit? Using details and examples, explain why. |
|
Item 2 (MP3) |
Some people enjoy taking risks and trying new things. Others are not adventurous; they are cautious and prefer to avoid danger. Which behavior do you think is better? Explain why. |