byCollegedunia Team Content Curator
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a standardized test that evaluates English language proficiency for non-native speakers. More than 13,000 institutions across 160+ countries accept TOEFL exam scores. The exam syllabus is divided into 4 sections: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. With no official fixed time, the exam requires less than 2 hours to complete. Candidates must plan for 2.5 hours, as 30 minutes is allocated for check-in.
TOEFL exam results are released in 4-8 days after the exam date. The total score range of the TOEFL exam is 0-120, with each section scoring between 0 and 30. Top universities require a TOEFL score of 100 or above for admissions. The score report will be valid for 2 years after your exam date. TOEFL scholarships are awarded for research, teaching, or international higher education purposes.
- Types of TOEFL exam – Which one should Students take?
- TOEFL Exam Pattern 2025
- TOEFL Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025
- TOEFL Exam ID Requirements
- TOEFL Exam Registration
- TOEFL Exam Fees in India 2025
- TOEFL Score
- TOEFL Score Cancellation, Reinstatement, and Review
- TOEFL Score Report
- TOEFL Score Report Sending
- Rescheduling and Cancelling the TOEFL exam
- TOEFL Cut Off for Top US Universities
- Top TOEFL Preparation Tips
- Best TOEFL Preparation Books
- TOEFL Practice Papers
15.1 TOEFL Writing Practice Test
15.2 TOEFL Reading Practice Test
15.3 TOEFL Listening Practice Test
15.4 TOEFL Speaking Practice Test
- FAQs
Types of TOEFL exam – Which one should Students take?
The TOEFL exam is of 4 types, catering to the different needs of applicants, such as admissions to universities or acquiring a student visa for immigration purposes. Indian students should go for the TOEFL iBT as it is the most widely accepted TOEFL exam by universities worldwide. TOEFL PBT is discontinued, and TOEFL ITP is used by universities for their internal assessments. TOEFL Essentials was launched in 2021 to provide a shorter and fully online alternative to TOEFL. It has still not garnered a wide acceptability.
These 4 types of TOEFL exam are explained below:
| Feature/Type | TOEFL iBT | TOEFL Essentials | TOEFL PBT | TOEFL ITP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | TOEFL Internet-Based Test | TOEFL Essentials Test | TOEFL Paper-Based Test | TOEFL Institutional Testing Program |
| Mode | Online (Test center or Home Edition) | Online (at home only) | Paper (discontinued in most countries) | Paper-based (used by institutions only) |
| Acceptance | Globally accepted by 12,000+ universities | Limited university acceptance | Discontinued for admissions | Only valid within the institution |
| Best For | Academic admissions abroad (US, Canada, etc.) | Budget-friendly, casual learners, and a few programs | Not used anymore | Internal evaluation, placement tests |
| Cost in India (in INR) | 16,900 | 8,000-9,000 | Discontinued | Varies by Institutions |
| Availability in India | Yes | Yes (online only) | No longer offered | Yes, for partner institutions |
| University Use | Yes | Limited | No | No |
TOEFL Exam Pattern 2025
The TOEFL exam pattern 2025 consists of 4 sections — Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Although the exam itself takes less than 2 hours, candidates are advised to allocate 2.5 hours to include a 30-minute check-in period.. The total TOEFL exam is scored in the range of 0-120, with each section scored in the range of 0-30. The total number of questions is 116.
The table below gives a breakdown of each of the TOEFL exam sections:
| Section | Estimated Timing | Questions/Tasks | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 35 minutes | 20 questions | Read passages and respond to questions. |
| Listening | 36 minutes | 28 questions | Answer questions about brief lectures or classroom discussions. |
| Speaking | 16 minutes | 4 tasks | Talk about a familiar topic and discuss material you read and heard. |
| Writing | 29 minutes | 2 tasks | Read a passage, listen to a recording, and type your response. State and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion. |
TOEFL Reading Section
The TOEFL Reading Section asks the candidates to read passages and respond to questions. This section consists of the following:
- 2 passages, each 700 words
- multiple-focus passages — compare/contrast, cause/effect
- 10 questions for each passage
- Estimated Timing: 35 minutes
- Score scale: 0–30
Quick Links:
TOEFL Listening Section
The TOEFL Listening Section asks the candidates to answer questions about brief lectures or classroom discussions. This section consists of the following:
- 3 lectures, some with classroom discussion, each 3–5 minutes, 6 questions each
- 2 conversations, each 3 minutes, 5 questions each
- Estimated Timing: 36 minutes
- Score scale: 0–30
Quick Links:
TOEFL Speaking Section
The TOEFL Speaking Section asks the candidates to talk about a familiar topic and discuss material they have read and heard. This section consists of the following:
- 4 tasks
- 1 independent task to express an opinion on a familiar topic
- 3 integrated tasks based on what is read and heard
- Up to 30 seconds to prepare the response, up to 1 minute to respond
- Estimated Timing: 16 minutes
- Score scale: 0–30
Also check: TOEFL Speaking Topics
TOEFL Writing Section
The TOEFL Writing Section asks the candidates to read a passage, listen to a recording, type their response, and state and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion. This section consists of the following:
- 2 tasks:
- 1 20-minute integrated task based on what is read and heard
- 1 10-minute Writing for an Academic Discussion task to state and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion
- Estimated Timing: 29 minutes
- Score scale: 0–30
Also check: TOEFL Writing Topics
TOEFL Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025
ETS does not lay down any TOEFL eligibility criteria for test-takers. Anyone, regardless of age or work experience, can apply and take the test. However, certain considerations need to be taken into account if the candidate is 15 years of age or younger. These criteria are listed below:
- 15-year-old or younger candidates are advised to be accompanied by a parent or guardian adult aged 18 or above, who will be required to complete and sign a release form at the test center.
- Both the candidate and the parent or guardian are required to present a valid, current passport, as no other form of identification will be accepted.
If the ID requirements cannot be met, he/she can contact the Office of Testing Integrity (OTI) before registering for the exam.
TOEFL Exam ID Requirements
TOEFL requires a primary valid and acceptable ID to be presented at the test center each time the exam is taken. Candidates have to make sure that these documents are up to date on the exam day. The candidates will be required to provide supplemental ID documents if the primary ID documents are questioned by the Test Administrator. Apart from these, the ID documents must be original, physical, up to date, and government-issued.
Below are the primary and supplemental documents that are acceptable at TOEFL test centers:
- Primary ID Documents:
- Passport
- Supplemental ID Documents:
- Government-issued ID card
- Student ID Card
- Confirmation of identity letter from the educational institution.
If any candidate is unable to meet the ID requirements, primary or supplemental, they may contact the Office of Testing Integrity at least 7 days before registering for the exam for their approval.
| TSReturns@ets.org | |
| Phone | 1-609-406-5430 |
| Phone (Toll-free) | 1-800-750-6991 (United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Canada) |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 5:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. IST |
TOEFL Exam Registration
Registration for the TOEFL exam can be done in 2 ways — online and by phone.
TOEFL exam registration online can be done by first creating an ETS account at www.ets.org/toefl and following the instructions. For taking the TOEFL exam at a test center, the registration deadline is 7 days before the exam date. And for the TOEFL online exam registration, the deadline is 2 days before the exam date. If the deadlines are missed, the candidates will have to pay the late registration fee. The TOEFL registration system also enables test takers to view and compare available test dates and times at different centers, helping them choose the option that best suits their schedule. These changes give candidates more time to plan and prepare for the test and make the registration process more convenient.
For registration via phone, candidates can contact the customer service. Customer service is available 7 days a week, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. India Standard Time, including India holidays. Recorded information is available 24 hours a day. Phones are busiest between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. India Standard Time and all day Monday.
| TOEFLSupport4India@ets.org | |
| Phone | +1-800-123-9418 |
| Regular Mail | TOEFL Services; ETS; P.O. Box 6151; Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA |
| Courier or Delivery Service | 660 Rosedale Road – Wood Hall, Princeton, NJ 08540 |
TOEFL Exam Fees in India 2025
In addition to the TOEFL exam fee, there are several other fees to consider as well, which can vary based on factors like location, date, and type of exam. Here is an overview of what test takers can expect to pay:
| TOEFL Exam Service | Fee in India (in INR) |
|---|---|
| TOEFL Exam Registration | 16,900 |
| Late Registration | 3,900 |
| Test Rescheduling | 5,900 |
| Reinstatement of Cancelled Scores | 1,990 |
| Additional Score Reports | 1,950 |
| Speaking or Writing Section Score Review | 7,900 |
| Payment Return | 2,900 |
Note: The payment can be done in any globally or locally issued currency or payment methods. These methods include Visa, MasterCard, Rupay credit and debit cards, UPI and Bharat QR Payments, digital wallets like Google Pay, Airtel wallet, and Amazon Pay.
TOEFL Score
TOEFL total score ranges from 0 to 120, and it is based on the combined scores of the 4 sections of the exam: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section is scored on a scale of 0 to 30, and the scores are added together to determine the total score. There is no minimum TOEFL score. The total TOEFL score is a measure of the overall English language proficiency and is widely used by universities, colleges, and other organizations to assess the candidate’s ability to study, work, or communicate in English. If a candidate secures 100 or above, then it is considered a good TOEFL score. The TOEFL score report is accepted by more than 13,000 institutions in over 160 countries.
The score range and descriptors for TOEFL iBT scores have been given below:
| TOEFL Section | Score Range | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 24-30 | Advanced |
| 18-23 | High-Intermediate | |
| 4-17 | Low-Intermediate | |
| 0-3 | Below Low-Intermediate | |
| Listening | 22-30 | Advanced |
| 17-21 | High-Intermediate | |
| 9-16 | Low-Intermediate | |
| 0-8 | Below Low-Intermediate | |
| Speaking | 25-30 | Advanced |
| 20-24 | High-Intermediate | |
| 16-19 | Low-Intermediate | |
| 10-15 | Basic | |
| 0-9 | Below Basic | |
| Writing | 24-30 | Advanced |
| 17-23 | High-Intermediate | |
| 13-16 | Low-Intermediate | |
| 7-12 | Basic | |
| 0-6 | Below Basic |
TOEFL Score Cancellation, Reinstatement, and Review
At the end of the exam, candidates have the option to have their score reported or cancelled. The cancelled scores will not reflect in the candidate’s exam record. However, the cancellation must be done on the exam day, and all sections of the exam have to be cancelled. If the candidate chooses to report, cancellation cannot be done afterwards. There is no refund for cancelled scores. However, if the candidate has cancelled the scores and changes his/her mind later, they can always reinstate their score. Reinstatement can be done within 60 days after the test date by paying a fee of INR 1,990. The scores will be reinstated in 3 weeks after receipt of payment and request.
Candidates can request a review of their Speaking and/or Writing section via their ETS account, up to 30 days after the test date, for a fee of INR 7,900. Score review cannot be requested if a request to send the scores to any institution or agency has already been made.
TOEFL Score Report
TOEFL Score Reports are available in the candidate’s ETS account within 4-8 days after the test date. This date will be displayed at the end of the TOEFL iBT test, and candidates will receive an email when the scores are available.
TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years, and PDF score reports are ready for download 1 day after receiving the electronic scores. Candidates can request a paper copy of their score reports, which will be mailed to them 11-15 days after the test date.
TOEFL Score Report Sending
The TOEFL exam registration fees include up to 4 free official TOEFL score reports to be sent to institutions, agencies, or other recipients who can be added through the ETS account until 10 p.m. IST on the day of the test.
Additional Score Reports can be ordered via the ETS account for a fee of INR 1,950 per institution.
Rescheduling and Cancelling the TOEFL exam
There is a 4-day deadline for TOEFL exam cancellation or rescheduling.
- A 50% refund of the registration fee will be issued if the exam is canceled at least 4 days before the test date.
- Rescheduling can be allowed for free only if it is requested at least 4 days before the test date; otherwise, the candidate has to cancel the exam and book another test.
However, if ETS cancels or reschedules the exam, fees that the candidate paid will be transferred to a new test date, or upon request, a full refund will be issued.
TOEFL Cut Off for Top US Universities
More than 13,000 institutions across 160+ countries accept TOEFL exam scores, including top universities like Harvard and UCLA. A TOEFL score of 100 and above can guarantee admission to these universities.
Below is a list of top universities are their corresponding TOEFL exam score cut-off:
| Top Universities | QS Ranking | TOEFL Cut off |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 5 | 100 – 105 |
| Columbia University | 38 | 100 |
| California Institute of Technology | 10 | 100 |
| UC Berkeley | 12 | 100 |
| Duke University | 61 | 90 |
| Oxford University | 4 | 110 overall 22 in Reading 24 each in Listening and Writing 25 in Speaking |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 46 | 80 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 44 | 88 – 100 overall 23 minimum score in each section |
Top TOEFL Preparation Tips
Candidates need authentic books and study prep materials for a better understanding of the exam pattern. Here are a few TOEFL preparation tips listed below:
- Thoroughly understand the exam syllabus and pattern. This will help in effective preparation and time management.
- Take Practice tests regularly. It will give an idea of the type of questions being asked and help develop a strategy towards answering.
- Improve English language skills. Candidates can improve their English language skills by writing and practicing responses and saying it loud in front of a mirror.
- Use study materials: There are many study materials available, such as textbooks, workbooks, online courses, TOEFL Test Ready, mock tests, and study guides. A TOEFL 2-week study plan will help those who are in dire need of a tactful and explanatory study plan.
- Take advantage of free resources: There are many free resources available online, such as YouTube videos, websites, and forums that offer advice and practice tests.
- Stay calm and focused: TOEFL exams can be stressful, but it is important to stay calm and focused during the exam. Try to relax, breathe deeply, and focus on the questions. Stay confident and believe in yourself.
Best TOEFL Preparation Books
TOEFL has recently updated its exam pattern and brought some major changes to the syllabus. Reading comprehensive and updated TOEFL preparation books is very important to understand the new changes and the exam topics. These books cover the full syllabus and also include previous years’ question papers with sample answers.
Here are some of the best TOEFL prep books PDF, which can help candidates ace the exam preparation:
TOEFL Practice Papers
Obtaining a high TOEFL score is a crucial admission criterion for leading universities worldwide. To achieve a satisfactory score, it is imperative to practice various TOEFL sample papers. Without familiarity with the question formats and types, achieving a good score can be challenging. To grasp the exam's structure, candidates can take advantage of the online mock papers available.
TOEFL Writing Practice Test
To practice writing skills, solve TOEFL writing papers:
TOEFL Reading Practice Test
You must solve TOEFL reading practice papers to improve your skills –
TOEFL Listening Practice Test
Some of the TOEFL listening practice papers are listed below:
TOEFL Speaking Practice Test
To improve your speaking skills, it is essential that you practice TOEFL speaking sample papers:
TOEFL evaluates Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing skills. The TOEFL registration fee is INR 16,900. The exam is taken online at authorized test centers and takes around 2 hours to complete. TOEFL iBT is a widely recognized assessment tool by universities, employers, and immigration authorities to evaluate an individual's English language abilities.
FAQs
Ques. Is TOEFL harder than IELTS?
Ans. TOEFL and IELTS are both English language proficiency tests. The hardness of the exams depends on the candidate's preparation and grasp of the English language. Taking a test between IELTS and TOEFL depends on the individual's requirements.
Ques. What is the minimum score required for the TOEFL exam?
Ans. The minimum TOEFL score required varies depending on the institution. Different universities and organizations may have different score requirements for admission. Test-takers should check the score requirements of their target institutions before taking the exam.
Ques. Can I retake the TOEFL iBT?
Ans. Yes, you can retake the TOEFL iBT as many times as you want, but you have to wait for a minimum of 3 days before retaking the test. However, it is recommended to prepare thoroughly before retaking the test to ensure that you achieve the desired score.
Ques. Which part of the TOEFL is most difficult?
Ans. As per sources like Quora and Reddit, Listening is the most difficult part for TOEFL test takers. Right after this would be speaking and writing.
Ques. Is there negative marking in TOEFL?
Ans. No, there is no negative marking in the TOEFL exam. You are only awarded points for correct answers, and incorrect answers do not incur any deductions. This means you should attempt all questions in each section, even if you are unsure of the answer, as there is no penalty for guessing.
Ques. What happens if I quit the TOEFL test before completing it?
Ans. If you don’t complete at least 1 question from each section, your test will not be scored. Candidates are asked to attempt at least 1 question from every section before completing or quitting the test.
Ques. How can I make sure I speak enough during the TOEFL Speaking section?
Ans. Candidates are encouraged to practice speaking tasks with a timer to get a better understanding of how much time they have to speak.
Ques. Can I take notes during the TOEFL test?
Ans. Yes, candidates can take notes during the test. For this purpose, scratch papers and pencils are provided at the test center. For testing at home, candidates can use a whiteboard or a piece of paper inside a transparent sheet protector with an erasable marker.
Ques. Can I purchase a TOEFL test from a third-party seller?
Ans. Yes, candidates can purchase TOEFL test vouchers from authorized third-party sellers. These vouchers can be used when payment is made while registering for the exam.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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