Overview
The TOEFL exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a standardised English language test accepted globally. It helps in judging the English language proficiency of international students, such as reading, writing, speaking and listening. The test score plays an important role in the overseas education admission process.
In 1964, since inspection, the test score curriculum as well as test methods have matched most universities and academic institutes’ expectations. The last revision was made in the year 2005, and the test was renamed as TOEFL iBT test. This international level English language proficiency exam/test gives institutes access to millions of international students who have proven that they have what it takes to succeed in an English speaking academic environment.
Almost 150 countries in the world accept TOEFL scores, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and many other countries. At present, the test comprises tasks if the candidates’ reading, writing, speaking and listening skills meet the demands of the world-class academic environment.
There is a basic difference between standardised TOEFL and TOEFL iBT. The TOEFL Essentials Test measure is the foundation elements of English language proficiency test in academic as well as non-academic contexts. On the other hand, the TOEFL iBT test evaluates 100 percent academic English proficiency. This test evaluates 50 percent academic English and 50 percent general English.
TOEFL score is taken into account in the VISA application file. You can’t negotiate with the score; you must have the required score. Thus, TOEFL is your passport to study abroad. Like any passport, it is valid for a period of time. TOEFL score is valid for 2-year.
Registration
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit: The conducting body of the TOEFL test has not set any age limit. Therefore, anyone can sit for the exam. Especially, higher study aspirants planning to study abroad in an English-speaking country need to sit for the TOEFL exam as a part of the application or admission process.
Education Qualifications: Although ETS has not set any academic qualification as a part of the TOEFL eligibility criteria, students who opt for the TOEFL exam should have passed 10+2 (Higher/Senior Secondary Level Exam) from a recognized board of education to be eligible to sit for the TOEFL exam.
Exam Pattern
Reading: In this reading section, you will be required to read 3 to 5 passages, and answer 12 to 14 numbers of questions on each passage.
Writing: In this writing section, your essay should effectively address the topic, and the response should be properly organised, as well as well-developed using relevant explanations and support. In addition to that, it should also display unity, coherence and progression.
Speaking: In this speaking section, your responses must fulfil the needs of the task given with only minor errors. This speaking test required highly intelligible as well as sustained conversation.
Listening: In this listening section, you are required to listen to short and long conversations. After hearing the short conversation, you will be asked one question and multiple choice answers will be given. You will have to choose the correct answer. Whereas, in the long conversation, you will be asked multiple questions based on the conversation.
Sections/Subjects | Questions/Duration | Description |
Reading | 3–4 passages – 10 questions each Duration: 54-72 minutes | For the TOEFL Reading section, candidates would be required to read multiple passages and answer 30 – 40 questions. |
Writing | 2 tasks Duration: 50 minutes | For the TOEFL Writing Section, candidates would be required to read a passage, listen to a recording and type their response. |
Speaking | 4 tasks Duration: 17 minutes | For the TOEFL Speaking Section, candidates would be required to talk about a familiar topic and discuss material they have read and listened to. |
Listening | 3-4 Lectures and 2-3 Conversations – 10 questions each Duration: 41-57 minutes | For the TOEFL Listening section, candidates would be required to answer questions about brief lectures or classroom discussions. |
Exam Syllabus
Writing
It is an integrated one consisting of reading, listening and or writing. It is 20 minutes and the reading time would be 3 minutes, listening time would be 2 minutes and writing time would be 15 minutes. There would be an independent task of 30 minutes. Total number of questions would be 2 and the total time would be 50 minutes.
Speaking
Speaking in English becomes the most important skill when attending a lecture, enquiring about a topic, or presenting a PPT, and the TOEFL speaking test assesses the necessary skills to ensure fluency. The primary objective of the TOEFL speaking pattern is to determine the candidates’ comfort level in speaking English in educational situations.
Listening
TOEFL listening focuses on evaluating the aspirants’ ability to understand not only the English language, but also the different accents used around the world. Universities will have lectures, and workplaces will require constant communication – TOEFL listening measures every aspect of the test while it is being taken.
Reading
The primary objective of the TOEFL reading section is to assess the ability of the candidates to understand English and how they can provide accurate responses to it. It is related to academic study materials i.e. 3-4 reading passages of approximately 700 words are provided as prompts; 10 questions will be asked from each passage. Whereas, the specific time limit, i.e. 54 to 72 minutes. Test syllabus is adapted from university level textbooks. The reading passages cover a wide range of topics. Scores will be given in raw points before being converted to a scale of 30.
Writing
It is an integrated one consisting of reading, listening and or writing. It is 20 minutes and the reading time would be 3 minutes, listening time would be 2 minutes and writing time would be 15 minutes. There would be an independent task of 30 minutes. Total number of questions would be 2 and the total time would be 50 minutes.
Speaking
Speaking in English becomes the most important skill when attending a lecture, enquiring about a topic, or presenting a PPT, and the TOEFL speaking test assesses the necessary skills to ensure fluency. The primary objective of the TOEFL speaking pattern is to determine the candidates’ comfort level in speaking English in educational situations.
Listening
TOEFL listening focuses on evaluating the aspirants’ ability to understand not only the English language, but also the different accents used around the world. Universities will have lectures, and workplaces will require constant communication – TOEFL listening measures every aspect of the test while it is being taken.
Reading
The primary objective of the TOEFL reading section is to assess the ability of the candidates to understand English and how they can provide accurate responses to it. It is related to academic study materials i.e. 3-4 reading passages of approximately 700 words are provided as prompts; 10 questions will be asked from each passage. Whereas, the specific time limit, i.e. 54 to 72 minutes. Test syllabus is adapted from university level textbooks. The reading passages cover a wide range of topics. Scores will be given in raw points before being converted to a scale of 30.
Writing
It is an integrated one consisting of reading, listening and or writing. It is 20 minutes and the reading time would be 3 minutes, listening time would be 2 minutes and writing time would be 15 minutes. There would be an independent task of 30 minutes. Total number of questions would be 2 and the total time would be 50 minutes.
Speaking
Speaking in English becomes the most important skill when attending a lecture, enquiring about a topic, or presenting a PPT, and the TOEFL speaking test assesses the necessary skills to ensure fluency. The primary objective of the TOEFL speaking pattern is to determine the candidates’ comfort level in speaking English in educational situations.
Exam Date
The TOEFL test is conducted over 50 times a year at its authorised test centres. You can retake the exam any number of times you need. But the condition is – you cannot attempt the exam within 12 days of the previous attempt. It is administered in over 165 countries every year. There are over 4500 authorised TOEFL test centres in the world.
Check out TOEFL Exam dates 2024 in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Gurgaon and Chennai.
Test Centers
Conducted by the ETS – Educational Testing Service, TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language is considered one of the most demanding English proficiency tests for higher study aspirants abroad. Here, you will get a comprehensive state and city-wise list of TOEFL test centres based in India.
