What is the TOEFL?

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized test designed to assess the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. It is widely accepted by universities, colleges, and institutions in English-speaking countries as a measure of a student's ability to use and understand English in an academic setting.

TOEFL Structure

The TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) comprises four sections:

Reading: Measures the ability to understand and analyze academic texts.
Listening: Assesses understanding of conversations and lectures in English.
Speaking: Evaluates the ability to speak English effectively in academic contexts.
Writing: Tests the ability to write essays that express and support opinions or explain experiences.

The total test duration is approximately 2 hours, with each section timed separately.

TOEFL Section Breakdown

The table below outlines the structure of the TOEFL iBT, including time limits and the number of questions for each section:

Section	Time Limit	Number of Questions/Tasks	Question Types
Reading	54–72 minutes	30–40 questions	Multiple-choice
Listening	41–57 minutes	28–39 questions	Multiple-choice
Speaking	17 minutes	4 tasks	Spoken responses
Writing	50 minutes	2 tasks	Essay responses

Note: The Reading and Listening sections may vary in length due to the inclusion of unscored questions used for research purposes.

TOEFL Scoring Breakdown

Each section of the TOEFL iBT is scored on a scale of 0 to 30, leading to a total score range of 0 to 120.

Section	Score Range
Reading	0–30
Listening	0–30
Speaking	0–30
Writing	0–30
Total	0–120

Score Interpretation

Scores are categorized into proficiency levels:

Advanced: 24–30
High-Intermediate: 18–23
Low-Intermediate: 4–17
Below Low-Intermediate: 0–3

These levels help institutions understand a test taker's ability in each skill area.

How to Register for the TOEFL

Registration for the TOEFL iBT can be completed online through the ETS website.

Steps to Register:

Create an ETS Account: Provide your personal information to set up an account.
Select a Test Date and Location: Choose from available dates and test centers or opt for the Home Edition if applicable.
Complete Registration and Payment: Follow the prompts to finalize your registration and pay the test fee.

Registration Deadlines:

Regular Registration: Closes 7 days before the test date.
Late Registration: Available up to 2 days before the test date, with an additional fee.

For detailed information on test preparation and study resources, visit the official TOEFL website.

Prepare for the TOEFL with Practice Questions

Achieving a high score on the TOEFL requires effective preparation and familiarity with the exam format. Start practicing today with our comprehensive TOEFL question bank.