TOEFL iBT: Exam Pattern, Comparisons, Score, and Preparation Tips

TOEFL iBT: Exam Pattern, Comparisons, Score, and Preparation Tips

Highlights:

  • Global Acceptance: Over 13,000 institutions in more than 160 countries accept the TOEFL iBT score for admission or immigration purposes.
  • Focus on Academic Communication: TOEFL iBT exam assesses your ability to communicate effectively in English in academic settings like classrooms and lectures.
  • Official Resources: You must create an ETS account to register for TOEFL iBT. The ETS website provides official resources, including practice tests, scoring information, and test preparation materials. 
  • Multiple Test Dates and Locations: TOEFL iBT is offered throughout the year at various testing centers worldwide, allowing you to schedule the exam at your convenience.
Shubhankar Das logo
Updated on, Jul 3, 2025

byShubhankar Das Content Writer - Study Abroad

TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) can be taken at the test center, or you can opt for the home edition. TOEFL exam is 1 hour and 56 minutes long, but you should plan for 2.5 hours. The check-in process at the test center may take 30 minutes. For the iBT home edition, you need to meet the equipment and environment requirements. Your Windows operating system must be version 10 or higher, and Mac OS X 10.13 or higher is required. TOEFL iBT test includes four sections; reading, speaking, writing, and listening. Each section score ranges from 0 to 30 and the total score is calculated on a scale of 0 to 120. TOEFL exam cost in India is INR 16,900, and your score report will be valid for two years.

TOEFL_iBT_VS_TOEFL_pBT

TOEFL iBT Highlights

TOEFL test pattern of the home edition is similar to that of the test-center-based exam. TOEFL exam contains Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. The at-home option is available across the world where TOEFL test center exams were conducted, with the only exceptions of Mainland China and Iran. TOEFL iBT test pattern also consists of reading, listening, speaking, and writing but the monitoring is done by ProctorU. TOEFL iBT Home Edition registrations can be availed 24 hours a day, and 4 days a week. The following are the key features of TOEFL exam pattern of iBT:

TOEFL iBT full form TOEFL internet-based test
Conducting Authority ETS
Meant for International students willing to study abroad
Sections tested 4 - reading, listening, speaking, and writing
Exam Pattern Reading: 35 minutes to answer 20 questions. 
Listening: 36 minutes to answer 28 questions.
Speaking:16 minutes to answer 4 tasks. 
Writing: 29 minutes to answer 2 tasks. 
Duration 1 hour and 56 minutes
Score range 0-120
Average score obtained in India 91
Average score accepted 65-115

TOEFL iBT vs IELTS

TOEFL test pattern is preferred more in the US universities and IELTS is more favored in the UK and Australia. Both the IELTS and TOEFL test pattern and syllabus have 4 sections - listening, speaking, writing, and reading. Both are equally renowned English proficiency tests abroad. The only difference between IELTS and TOEFL iBT is the score calculation process:

  • IELTS overall score is the average TOEFL iBT score score obtained in 4 sections, but, TOEFL iBT overall score is the total score of 4 sections.
  • For example, a candidate secures 7 in IELTS reading, 8 in IELTS listening, 8.5 in IELTS speaking, and 6.5 in IELTS writing. Here the overall IELTS score will be: (7+8+8.5+6.5)/4 = 7.5.
  • On the other hand, a candidate receives 24 in TOEFL reading, 21 in TOEFL listening, 26 in TOEFL speaking, and 22 in TOEFL writing. The overall TOEFL score will be 24+21+26+22 = 93.

IELTS to TOEFL iBT Score Conversion

TOEFL and IELTS both are English langauge proficiency tests and are accepted worldwide. You can check IELTS vs TOEFL score comparison for a better understanding. The following tables show the conversion from IELTS to TOEFL iBT score:

TOEFL iBT score IELTS Score
118-120 9
115-117 8.5
110-114 8
102-109 7.5
94-101 7
79-93 6.5
60-78 6
46-59 5.5
35-45 5
32-34 4.5
0-31 0-4

TOEFL iBT Exam Pattern

TOEFL iBT syllabus includes four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and TOEFL iBT writing. Each section have a specific TOEFL question pattern. TOEFL iBT exam pattern has been updated and made some changes in the exam timing and question format. Details of TOEFL new pattern sections are discussed in the section below:

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, type your response.

State and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion.

TOEFL iBT Score

TOEFL iBT score range is 0-120 and each section has a score range of 0-30. The following table describes the  raw score range of each section and how TOEFL iBT score are calculated:

Section Raw Score range TOEFL Score Calculation
TOEFL Reading 0-45 Based on the number of correct answers
TOEFL Listening 0-34 Based on the number of correct answers
TOEFL Speaking 0-24 (each speaking task carry equal points) Based on the quality of the answer, fluency, and range of vocabulary
TOEFL Writing 0-10 (each writing task carry equal points) Based on the structure of essays, usage of relevant examples, words, and connecting words

TOEFL iBT Score Calculation

To check your score report, you need to proceed with TOEFL iBT login. From here, you need to navigate to the score section to receive the enhanced score report. During TOEFL score calculation, raw scores are converted into scaled scores. Check this table to understand the equivalent scaled score of the obtained raw points in TOEFL iBT.

Reading Raw Score Listening Raw Score Speaking Raw Score Writing Raw Score Scaled Score
45, 44 34 16 10 30
43, 42, 41 33 29
40, 39 15 9 28
38, 37 32 27
36 31 14 26
35, 34 30 8 25
33 29 13 24
32 12 23
31 28 7 22
30 11 21
29 27 6 20
28 26 10 19
27 25 18
26 24 9 5 17
25 23 16
24 22 8 15
23 21 4 14
22 20 7 13
19 3 12
21 6 11
20 18 10
19 17 5 9
18 16 4 2 8
17 15 7
14 3 6
16 13 1 5
15 12 2 4
14 11 3
13, 12 10 1 2
11, 10 9 1
9 and below 8 and below 0 0 0

TOEFL iBT Preparation

TOEFL iBT pattern requires the candidate to follow a proper study plan. TOEFL preparation plan must include reading books and solving sample papers regularly. You can refer to the list below to check TOEFL iBT preparation tips for better score:

  • Prepare a TOEFL study plan and set a target score
  • Opt for official TOEFL resources like ETS’s Official Guide to TOEFL Test
  • Work on vocabulary to excel in TOEFL writing pattern
  • Opt for TOEFL coaching, or online classes that offer tailor-made preparation classes
  • For TOEFL speaking pattern preparation, work on pronunciations and scoring criteria
  • During TOEFL listening preparation, pay attention to the intonations
  • Regularly practice from TOEFL iBT practice tests

TOEFL practice tests often come with solved answers and explanations, which helps the candidates to prepare for TOEFL in the best possible way. So, securing a good TOEFL score can be easier with these TOEFL practice papers.

FAQs

Ques: What is the TOEFL iBT test?

Ans: TOEFL iBT test is conducted in the test center and at home. The exam contains 4 sections; reading, listening, writing, and speaking. TOEFL iBT test score ranges on a scale of 0-120 level. There is no such difference between TOEFL and TOEFL iBT. The exam pattern, scores, and exam fees are contained the same.

Ques: What is TOEFL iBT level?

Ans: TOEFL iBT scoring pattern includes 4 levels; advanced, high-intermediate, low-intermediate, and below low-intermediate. The candidate’s proficiency level depends on the achieved score.

Ques: Is the TOEFL iBT exam hard?

Ans: Most of the candidates with a good grasp of the English language don’t find TOEFL iBT exam hard. Candidates are advised to take regular practice tests to achieve a higher score.

Ques: Who is eligible for TOEFL iBT exam?

Ans: There are no such specific eligibility criteria for TOEFL iBT exam, applicants must be at age 15+ to take the test. Candidates need to submit their original document and a physical ID to complete the application process.

Ques: What is TOEFL iBT exam fee in India?

Ans: The fee for TOEFL exam registration iBT and home edition is USD 205 (INR 17,110). You can pay the registration fees through Credit/debit card, or electronic check (e-check). You need to pay the fees to complete the registration process.

*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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