TOEFL Exam Overview: Everything You Need to Know

The TOEFL iBT is one of the most popular English proficiency examinations, approved by American and Canadian colleges as well as educational institutions across the world. TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is administered by ETS. The ETS TOEFL test assesses all four academic English skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing in a university context. Candidates who qualify for the TOEFL test can take either the TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) or the TOEFL Home Edition, whichever is more convenient for them.

About TOEFL Exam 

The TOEFL test assesses your ability to communicate and comprehend English at the university level. It also assesses how well you use your listening, reading, speaking, and writing abilities to complete academic activities. The TOEFL is one of the most widely used international English tests, designed to assess the level of English ability among overseas students and employees.

It is also one of the registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS), a non-profit organisation that creates, manages, and distributes official score reports. The TOEFL is a standardised test for American English, which is spoken in the United States and Canada and differs somewhat from British English. Nonetheless, TOEFL exam scores are recognised in nations that primarily speak British English, like the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and others.

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a non-native English proficiency test. Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the TOEFL test. The TOEFL test is available in two formats: internet-based (iBT) and paper-delivered (PDT). The iBT has been administered since 2005 and is divided into four sections: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The PDT was established in 2017 and is divided into three sections: reading, writing, and listening.

TOEFL Exam Overview

TOEFL is one of the world's most widely regarded English-language examinations, assessing your ability to comprehend and apply English for job, study, and immigration. Inside, you'll find all you need to know about TOEFL preparation. Before we go into the TOEFL structure and syllabus, let us first provide an overview of the exam. The table below gives information on the key features of the TOEFL exam:

TOEFL Exam Pattern

The TOEFL exam has four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. In the Reading and Listening parts, you will respond to 20 and 28 questions, respectively. You will complete four speaking assignments and two writing projects. 

The TOEFL test is conducted either in offline or online mode. The test is four hours long and divided into four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Each segment is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 30. The total score is the sum of the points from the four categories, and it runs from 0 to 120.

The paper-based TOEFL test has a somewhat different format from the online test. The reading and listening components are consolidated, and there are two writing projects rather than three.

The entire exam takes roughly two hours. Here is a section-by-section breakdown of the TOEFL exam pattern.

TOEFL Exam Syllabus

The TOEFL syllabus 2024 is organised into four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. The Reading part consists of three to four readings, each containing 10 questions. The texts are from academic textbooks. Aside from that, the Listening component includes 3-4 recorded lectures and 2-3 recorded discussions, for which applicants must answer 10 questions each.

The TOEFL iBT syllabus includes topics and other parts of the exam that assist applicants prepare for the reading, writing, listening, and speaking sections of the examination. 

The Speaking section has four questions concerning speaking about recognised and educational topics. Following that, the TOEFL exam's Writing component includes two activities. As a result, the first objective requires students to provide facts, perspectives, ideas, and experiences. In contrast, the second exam is a functional activity that includes reading, listening, and speaking skills.

TOEFL Listening Syllabus

The TOEFL listening section is intended to measure spoken English comprehension skills. This section analyses how to respond in academic situations such as speeches and lectures. The assessment is based on comprehension of the message, comprehending the speaker's mood and level of conviction regarding intonation, and the capacity to link information.

TOEFL Listening Question Types

The TOEFL listening section is likewise objective, consisting of multiple-choice questions with one or more right answers and reordering in different question categories.

• Overview of the content and purpose-related questions

• Details-related queries.

• Questions regarding the speaker's intent

• Questions on the speaker's attitude or sentiments

• Structure of the speech-related questions.

• Conclusion-related questions.

• Implied information-based queries.

TOEFL Reading Section

This section of the TOEFL exam measures comprehension and knowledge of large texts. It seeks to assess how the applicant responds to complicated language patterns, difficult vocabulary, the author's intent and tone, diverse narration approaches, new subjects, and several other elements. The TOEFL iBT Test's reading part consists of two passages taken from university-level literature that span a wide range of topics and subjects.

TOEFL Reading Questions Type

TOEFL Reading exam is an objective-type section of the exam that comprises multiple choice questions with one or more right answers depending on the question type.

• Questions about factual information

• Inference-based and rhetorical enquiries.

• Questions that use vocabulary

• Text insertion in context questions.

• Summary questions using prose

TOEFL Speaking Syllabus

This section of the TOEFL exam assesses the students' spoken English fluency. Quick thinking, concept processing, and reaction are all necessary abilities for the test. The speaking component indicates if the individual is capable of efficiently conversing in and out of the classroom, as well as navigating a foreign place. This section of the test requires test takers to speak from personal experience, convey ideas, and present arguments.

TOEFL Speaking Question Types

The TOEFL Speaking test contains many forms for discussing themes and questions. The prompt audios for the exam are in natural English speaker accents such as those of North America, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia.

• Independent speaking to advocate a preference

• Integrated speaking on campus-related topics

• Integrated speaking to comprehend an academic topic

TOEFL Writing Syllabus

The TOEFL test measures your ability to construct precise, error-free, and cohesive sentences in this portion. In an academic atmosphere, you will frequently be required to summarise, take notes, and write essays and articles on certain topics. This portion assesses a candidate's ability to build ideas, connect information, contrast opinions, form arguments, and draw conclusions.

• This phase (integrated writing activity) requires participants to listen to a 20-minute tape and read a 230-300-word paragraph. Aside from that, they must write about their relationships with one another based on their mutual understanding. This area allows for note-taking with no correct or incorrect answers. Furthermore, the proposed word limit is 150-225 words; nevertheless, there is no penalty for writing more.

• This is an experience-based essay for autonomous writing in which an issue or topic is offered and the test-taker must describe the ideas in at least 300 words. Evaluators try to examine language skills, writing organisation, the ability to back up a claim with evidence, description, sentence structure, conclusion, and so on.

TOEFL Exam Eligibility Criteria

The TOEFL exam does not have strict qualifying requirements. To be qualified to take the TOEFL exam, applicants must have finished their 10+2 study at a recognised school. Additionally, applicants must be at least 18 years old to take the exam. If an applicant is under 18, they may still take the exam, but they must be accompanied by their parents during the TOEFL registration procedure.

Other TOEFL qualifying requirements include a printed confirmation document with the registration number, a valid picture identity card, and a passport. Candidates who intend to take the TOEFL exam at home must fulfil certain qualifying criteria, including equipment, environment, speaker, and camera requirements.

It is crucial to remember that the TOEFL test, which comprises both TOEFL-IBT and TOEFL-PBT, is available to everyone.

To be eligible for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), you must have finished your 10+2 study at a recognised Indian board or university. This test is appropriate for high school students and those seeking further education who want to earn their TOEFL scores. The TOEFL score evaluates your English language competence, allowing you to explore academic and professional possibilities in the United States and beyond. Many colleges in the United States and throughout the world accept TOEFL results.

However, there are certain exceptions, and certain overseas candidates are not required to submit TOEFL results. The exclusions include:

• Non-native speakers with degrees or certificates from postsecondary institutions in English-speaking nations such as the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

• Non-native speakers who have completed at least a two-year degree program in which English was the predominant medium of instruction.

• Students who have transferred from universities in the United States or Canada and have a record of well-evaluated academic coursework that meets the TOEFL test's particular standards and length.

• Non-native speakers who have taken the TOEFL test in the last two years.

• Non-native speakers who have successfully completed academic coursework in English-speaking schools in an English-speaking nation over a set length of time, usually two years.

These qualifying requirements give flexibility for numerous candidates, catering to varied origins and experiences.

Conclusion

Taking the TOEFL iBT can be a daunting and difficult process; after all, it costs money, and your prospects of studying or working in an international setting depend on it. With careful planning and practice, it is feasible to prepare and get a high score.

If you want even more exam-oriented preparation, consider working with a tutor who specialises in foreign examinations. They will assist you in creating a personalised program based on your present level, goals, and schedule.

FAQs

1. What are the TOEFL subjects?

The TOEFL exam has four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. In the Reading and Listening parts, you will respond to 20 and 28 questions, respectively. You will complete four speaking assignments and two writing projects.

2. What is the minimum TOEFL score required to obtain a student visa in the United States?

Before applying for the US Student Visa, you must be accepted into a study program at a recognised US university, which will require you to demonstrate your English skills through IELTS or TOEFL. The minimal TOEFL score for a USA Student Visa is 90, while the IELTS score is 6.5.

3. Who is eligible for the TOEFL 2024?

Candidates who have finished 10+2 or equivalent education from a recognised institution are eligible to take the TOEFL exam. In general, students who wish to study abroad take the TOEFL language test, which allows institutions to assess their speaking, writing, listening, and reading ability.

4. How long is the TOEFL valid?

TOEFL scores are only valid for two years. The validation date of the exam begins 5-7 days after the results are announced. An applicant can only utilise their TOEFL results for two years prior to the validity date.

5. What are the different TOEFL tests?

There are five varieties of TOEFL tests: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL pBT, TOEFL ITP, TOEFL Essentials, and TOEFL Junior. It is accessible in three formats: paper-based (PBT), computer-based (CBT), and internet (iBT), to accommodate a variety of testing preferences and situations.

6. Can I take the TOEFL from home?

The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is identical to the TOEFL iBT test taken at a test centre, therefore scores may be accepted and used interchangeably. Nearly all colleges that use the TOEFL iBT test accept results from both the test centre and the home edition.