byCollegedunia Team Content Curator
The Test of English as a Foreign Language, or the TOEFL exam, is one of the most widely recognized English language proficiency exams. It is accepted by more than 13,000 institutions in over 160 countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the TOEFL exam is designed to measure the reading, listening, writing, and speaking abilities of a candidate. Although the total test takes just under 2 hours, candidates are advised to plan for 2.5 hours, to have 30 minutes for check-in.
The TOEFL exam pattern was last changed in 2023 and remains the same in 2025. The current TOEFL exam pattern consists of 4 sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The overall TOEFL score ranges from 0 to 120, with each section score ranging from 0 to 30. The total number of questions in the TOEFL exam is 54 to be answered in less than 2 hours. The speaking and writing sections are scored by using a combination of AI scoring and ETS-certified evaluators. Candidates must have a proper study plan and practice regularly to achieve satisfactory scores in the TOEFL exam.
TOEFL Exam Pattern
Candidates are advised to understand the exam format properly to secure a good TOEFL score. By understanding the TOEFL exam pattern, candidates can give effective answers and complete the exam within the time limit.
| Section | Duration | Number of Questions | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 35 minutes | 20 questions | Read passages and answer related questions. |
| Listening | 36 minutes | 28 questions | Answer questions based on short lectures or classroom discussions. |
| Speaking | 16 minutes | 4 questions | Speak about a familiar topic and explain the information from both reading and listening sources. |
| Writing | 29 minutes | 2 questions | Read a passage, listen to a recording, and type your response. Express and justify an opinion in an online classroom discussion. |
TOEFL Reading Section Pattern
The TOEFL iBT reading section assesses the candidate’s ability to read and understand written academic materials.
The TOEFL Reading section consists of:
- 2 passages
- Each passage is 700 words long
- 10 questions per passage
- 35 minutes duration
The TOEFL Reading Topics cover a wide range of academic subjects. The passages are cited from university-level textbooks. All the information required to answer a question is given in the passages. For technical words, there is also a glossary feature that defines them.
The table below describes the types of questions that are included in the TOEFL Reading section:
| Question Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Positive and Negative Factual Information | Recognize directly stated information in a written text. |
| Inference and Rhetorical Purpose | Recognize implied information, or the intention of a written text. |
| Vocabulary | Know the meaning of general academic words and phrases |
| Sentence Simplification | Select a shorter sentence having the same meaning as the original sentence |
| Insert Text Question | Place a sentence in a paragraph where it makes the most sense. |
| Prose Summary | Select 3 statements that best describe the main ideas of a passage. |
Sample Question:
Also check: TOEFL Reading Practice Tests
TOEFL Reading section scoring
The TOEFL reading score ranges from 0 to 30. The TOEFL Reading skill has 4 proficiency levels that depend on the score achieved:
- 24-30 - Advanced
- 18-23 - High-Intermediate
- 4-17 - Low-Intermediate
- 0-3 - Below Low-Intermediate
TOEFL Listening Section Pattern
The TOEFL Listening section assesses the candidate’s ability to understand conversations and lectures in English. It includes listening for:
- Basic comprehension
- Understanding the speaker’s attitude
- Recognizing information
The TOEFL Listening section consists of:
- 3 lectures
- 3-5 minutes each
- Some with class discussion
- 6 questions per lecture
- 2 conversations
- 3 minutes each
- 5 questions per conversation
- 36 minutes total duration
Note: The TOEFL Listening section includes native-speaker English accents from North America, the UK, New Zealand, or Australia to better reflect the variety of accents students might encounter while studying abroad. Candidates are also allowed to take notes for this section.
The table below describes the types of questions that are included in the TOEFL Listening section:
| Question Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Gist-Content and Gist-Purpose | Identify the main point or purpose of the conversation or lecture. |
| Detail | Identify specific facts from the conversation or lecture. |
| Function | Understand why a speaker said something. |
| Attitude | Recognize how a speaker feels about something. |
| Organization | Understand why the lecture is structured the way it is. |
| Connecting Content | Predict an outcome, conclude, or understand a cause-and-effect relationship. |
| Inference | Recognize implied information |
Sample Question:
After listening to a recorded conversation, a question is asked like this:
Candidates are advised to listen to the recording properly and carefully answer the questions.
Also check: TOEFL Listening Practice Tests
TOEFL Listening section scoring
The TOEFL Listening score ranges from 0 to 30. The TOEFL Listening skill has 4 proficiency levels that depend on the score achieved:
- 22-30 - Advanced
- 17-21 - High-Intermediate
- 9-16 - Low-Intermediate
- 0-8 - Below Low-Intermediate
TOEFL Speaking Section Pattern
The TOEFL Speaking section assesses the candidate’s ability to speak English effectively in academic settings.
The TOEFL Speaking section consists of:
- 1 Independent Speaking task - requires speaking of own ideas, opinions, and experiences
- 3 Integrated Speaking tasks - requires using a combination of listening and speaking, or listening, reading, and speaking
- 16 minutes
- 15-30 seconds preparation time
- 45-60 seconds long responses
Note: The TOEFL Speaking section includes native-speaker English accents from North America, the U.K., New Zealand, or Australia to better reflect the variety of accents students might encounter while studying abroad. Only the first of the 4 items may have this accented speech.
The table below describes the types of questions that are included in the TOEFL Speaking topics:
| Question Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Independent Speaking | Express and justify a preference between 2 options. |
| Integrated Speaking - I | Show your understanding of a campus-related topic. |
| Integrated Speaking - II | Show your understanding of an academic topic. |
| Integrated Speaking - III | Show your understanding of an academic topic. |
Sample Question:
Also check: TOEFL Speaking Practice Papers
TOEFL Speaking Section Scoring Pattern
The TOEFL Speaking section is scored by a combination of AI scoring and certified human evaluators. While evaluating Speaking skills, the TOEFL iBT Independent Speaking Rubric is taken into account. It gives a score in the range 0-4 across 4 parameters of description, delivery, language use, and topic development. This scoring method is detailed in the table below:
| Score | General Description | Delivery | Language Use | Topic Development |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | The response effectively meets task requirements, demonstrates high intelligibility, and coherence. | Clear and well-paced speech. | Effective use of grammar and vocabulary. | Well-developed and coherent response, sufficient to the task. |
| 3 | Generally intelligible and coherent, but falls short of being fully developed. | Speech is generally clear, with some difficulties in pronunciation and pacing. | Fairly automatic and effective use of grammar and vocabulary, and fairly coherent expression of relevant ideas. | Mostly coherent response but lacking in elaboration or specificity. |
| 2 | Response addresses the task, but development, delivery, and coherence are limited. | Intelligible but awkward and unclear articulation. | Limited range and control of grammar and vocabulary. | A limited number of ideas were presented. At times, relevant substance may be vaguely expressed or repetitive. |
| 1 | Response is very limited in content, coherence, and relevance. | Consistent difficulties in pronunciation, stress, and delivery. | Range and control of grammar and vocabulary severely limit or prevent the expression of ideas and connections among ideas | Limited relevant content is expressed, lacking in substance, and is a repetition of the prompt. |
| 0 | No attempt has been made to respond, or the response is unrelated to the topic. | |||
The total score ranges from 0 to 30. The TOEFL Speaking skill has 5 proficiency levels that depend on the score achieved:
- 25-30 - Advanced
- 20-24 - High-Intermediate
- 16-19 - Low-Intermediate
- 10-15 - Basic
- 0-9 - Below Basic
TOEFL Writing Section Pattern
The TOEFL Writing section assesses the candidate’s ability to write in English and present ideas in a clear, well-organized manner in an academic setting.
The TOEFL Writing section consists of:
- 1 Integrated Writing task - read a passage and listen to a short lecture, and compare them.
- 1 Writing for an Academic Discussion task - state and support an opinion in a virtual class discussion.
- 29 minutes duration
Sample Question:
Also check: TOEFL Writing Practice Tests
TOEFL Writing Section Scoring Pattern
The TOEFL Writing section scoring is done by a combination of AI scoring and certified human evaluators. While evaluating Writing skills, the TOEFL iBT Integrated Writing Rubric is taken into account. It gives a score in the range of 0-5 to the general description of the response. This scoring method is detailed in the table below:
| Score | General Description |
|---|---|
| 5 | The response presents key points from the lecture and reading, and is well-organized. |
| 4 | The response selects the important information and coherently presents it. There may be minor vagueness in some content. |
| 3 | The response is relevant to the task, but may omit one major key point made in the lecture. |
| 2 | The response significantly misrepresents or completely omits the overall connection between the lecture and the reading. |
| 1 | The response provides little or no meaningful or relevant content from the lecture. |
| 0 | The response only copies sentences from reading, rejects the topic, is written in a foreign language, or is blank. |
The total score ranges from 0 to 30. The TOEFL Writing skill has 5 proficiency levels that depend on the score achieved:
- 24-30 - Advanced
- 17-23 - High-Intermediate
- 13-16 - Low-Intermediate
- 7-12 - Basic
- 0-6 - Below Basic
TOEFL Preparation Tips
To achieve a good score on TOEFL, you need to do effective preparation. TOEFL preparation tips help aspirants to understand the exam format. Here are some TOEFL exam tips for candidates to prepare for the TOEFL:
- Familiarize yourself with the TOEFL exam pattern: This includes understanding the different sections of the test, the types of questions that are asked, and the scoring system.
- Research TOEFL Score Requirements: Different schools and programs have different TOEFL score requirements. Make sure to know what score candidates need to achieve their goals.
- Learn Academic English: The TOEFL tests candidates’ ability to understand and use academic English. This means learning vocabulary and grammar that is commonly used in college-level textbooks and lectures.
- Use Practice Tests: There are many TOEFL practice tests available online and offline. Taking practice tests will help you get familiar with the format of the test, the types of questions that are asked, and your strengths and weaknesses.
- Find a Mentor: If you know someone who has taken the TOEFL and scored well, ask them for advice. They can share their tips and strategies with you, and they can also be a source of motivation.
- Manage Time Wisely: The TOEFL is a timed test, so it's important to manage your time effectively. This means knowing how much time you have for each section and pacing yourself accordingly.
- Guess the Answers: If you don't know the answer to a question, don't leave it blank. Instead, guess and take a calculated risk. You may be surprised at how often you get a question right by guessing.
- Read all the Answer Choices Before Choosing One: Don't just pick the first answer that looks good to you. Read all the answer choices carefully and make sure you understand why the one you choose is the best answer.
- Pay Attention to Grammar and Usage: The TOEFL tests your grammar and usage skills. Make sure you proofread your answers carefully before submitting them.
- Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the better you will do on the TOEFL. Set aside some time each day to study and practice.
- Get Proper Sleep before the Test: Candidates want to be well-rested and alert on test day.
- Eat a healthy Breakfast on Test Day: Don't skip breakfast on test day. Eat a healthy breakfast that will give energy and focus.
- Arrive Early for the Test: This will give the candidate time to relax and get settled before the test begins.
- Stay Calm and Positive: The TOEFL can be a challenging test, but it's important to stay calm and positive. If candidates find themself getting stressed, take a few deep breaths and remind themselves that they are prepared.
Best TOEFL Preparation Books
TOEFL preparation books focus on topics that need more attention and help you build your weaknesses into strengths. TOEFL preparation books are a helpful option during self-preparation.
- TOEFL Official Guide PDF: Check PDF
- Cambridge Preparation for TOEFL: Check PDF
- Barron’s Essential Words for the TOEFL, 7th Edition: Check PDF
- Barron’s TOEFL iBT, 17th Edition: Check PDF
- Kaplan TOEFL iBT Premier: Check PDF
The TOEFL exam pattern evaluates your ability to understand and use English through the 4 skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. As a prospective applicant, you should familiarize yourself with TOEFL question formats and proficiency levels to set realistic score goals. With thorough preparation and a clear strategy, you can maximize TOEFL scores and enhance your application to study abroad.
FAQs
Ques. Are there 2 types of TOEFL?
Ans. The 2 types of TOEFL are computer-based exams at a test center (iBT) or the Home Edition. The exam pattern of both versions is the same.
Ques. What is the passing score for TOEFL?
Ans. There are no specific passing or failing scores in the TOEFL exam. Achieving a score above 100+ in the TOEFL exam helps candidates get admission to some of the best universities worldwide.
Ques. What is a good TOEFL score?
Ans. Achieving a TOEFL score between 100-110 is considered a good score. A 110+ TOEFL score can help you easily get admission to some of the best universities worldwide.
Ques. How can I pass the TOEFL exam easily?
Ans. You can pass the TOEFL exam easily by knowing the exam format, properly following a study plan, and taking practice tests regularly.
Ques. Can I prepare for the TOEFL at home?
Ans. You can do effective TOEFL preparation at home by taking online coaching classes, regularly solving mock tests, and reading updated study materials.
Ques. Does TOEFL expire?
Ans. The TOEFL score is valid for 2 years from your result date. The 2-year validity period provides students with ample time to apply for abroad education.
Ques. How much is the TOEFL exam fee in India?
Ans. The fee for TOEFL exam registration, for both iBT and Home Edition, is INR 16,900. You can pay the registration fees through Credit/debit card, UPI, or Mobile wallets like Airtel Wallet and Amazon Pay.
Ques. Can I take the TOEFL exam online?
Ans. Yes, the TOEFL exam can be taken online through the TOEFL Home Edition. Candidates need to make sure they meet all the equipment and environment requirements.
Ques. What is a good score in the Reading Section of TOEFL 2025?
Ans. A good score in the Reading section of the TOEFL exam would depend on the requirements of the institution or organization you are applying to. Generally, a score of 22-30 is considered good in the Reading section. However, it is important to check the specific requirements of the institution you are interested in.
Ques. How to send TOEFL scores to universities abroad?
Ans. When paying the TOEFL test fee, you can include 4 free TOEFL score reports. ETS, the conducting body of the TOEFL exam, sends the reports to your pre-selected universities. If you want to send scorecards to additional universities, you can do so by paying an additional fee.
Ques. Can I retake the TOEFL exam to improve my score?
Ans. Yes, you can retake the TOEFL exam to improve your score. However, there are certain limitations on how frequently you can take the exam.
Ques. How to choose between the TOEFL and IELTS exams?
Ans. Both the TOEFL and IELTS share a common objective: to test your understanding of the English language. Hence, the core of both exams is identical. They are different when it comes to the exam pattern and syllabus.
*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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