The test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is designed for students who are not native speakers of English and plan to study at colleges in the United States. There are two test formats:
 Internet-based Test (IBT)
Takes four hours to complete and evaluates the four language skills which are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Test Structure
| Reading
| 3-5 passages from academic texts; approximately 700 words long; 12-14 questions per passage.
| 60-100 minutes
| 36-70 questions
| 0-30
|
| Listening
| 4-6 lectures, some with classroom discussion; each 3-5 minutes long; 6 questions each. 2-3 conversations; each 3 minutes long; 5 questions each.
| 60-90 minutes
| 34-51 questions
| 0-30
|
| Break
|
| 10 minutes
| -
| -
|
| Speaking
| 2 tasks to express an opinion on a familiar topic; 4 tasks to speak based on what is read and listened to.
| 20 minutes
| 6 tasks
| 0-4 points converted to 0-30 score scale
|
| Writing
| 1 task to write based on what is read and listened to; 1 task to support an opinion on a topic.
| 50 minutes
| 2 tasks
| 0-5 points converted to 0-30 score scale
|
| Total score
| -
| -
| -
| 0-120
|
Internet-based Test (IBT)
Takes around two hours and has three sections: listening comprehension, structure and written expression and reading comprehension plus a 30-minute writing test.
Test Structure
|
| Listening Comprehension
| 30-40 minutes
| 50
|
| Structure and Written Expression
| 25 minutes
| 40
|
| Reading Comprehension
| 55 minutes
| 50
|
| Writing (Test of Written English)
| 30 minutes
| 1 topic
|
|
|
Test Dates
The TOEFL IBT is offered 30-40 times a year at authorized test centers around the world. It is possible that the internet-based test is not available in your location, for more information about available locations visit www.toefl.org.
The TOEFL PBT is offered 6 times a year, but not all the test centers are open for every test date. For students who can’t take the exam on Saturdays for strong religious beliefs, there is the option to take the exam on Friday.
Registering for the exam
There are three ways to register for the TOEFL:
- Online: You can register online seven days before a test date.
- By phone: Inside the U.S., U.S. territories and Canada, call: 1-800-468-6335 or 1-443-751-4862.For all other locations, call your Regional Registration Center. You must register seven days before the test.
- By mail: You must download the Registration Form (URL: http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/07_08_toefl_ibt_registration_form.pdf and send it with your payment to your Regional Registration Center. You must send the form at least 4 weeks before the test date.
TOEFL Scores
The TOEFL score necessary to pass the test varies by college. TOEFL score scales are shown in the charts bellow.
TOEFL IBT Score Scales
|
|
| Reading
| 0-30
| Low (0-14)
|
| Intermediate (15-21)
|
| High (22-30)
|
| Listening
| 0-30
| Low (0-14)
|
| Intermediate (15-21)
|
| High (22-30)
|
| Speaking
| 0-4 points converted
to 0-30 score scale
| Weak (0-9)
|
Limited (10-17)
|
| Fair (18-25)
|
| Good (26-30)
|
| Writing
| 0-5 points converted
to 0-30 score scale
| Limited (1-16)
|
| Fair (17-23)
|
| Good (24-30)
|
| Total Score
| 0-120
|
|
|
|
TOEFL PBT Score Scales
|
|
| Listening Comprehension
| 31 to 68
|
| Structure/Written Expression
| 31 to 68
|
| Reading Comprehension
| 31 to 67
|
| Total Score
| 310 to 677
|
|
|
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