The TOEFL iBT has four sections: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Candidates are required to take all four sections of the test on the same day. They are allowed to take notes throughout the entire test. The tapes they have to listen to are designed to sound like real-life conversations. The passages for reading are usually taken from real text books and course materials.

TOEFL iBT format

Reading (60-100 minutes)

Three to five passages are given for reading. Candidates will have to answer 12-14 questions based on each passage.

Listening (60-90 minutes)

During the listening test, the candidates will have to listen to four to six lectures and academic discussions. Six questions will be asked on the basis of each lecture/discussion. Candidates are also required to listen to two to three pieces of conversation. Five questions will be asked on the basis of each conversation.

A 10 minutes break follows the listening test.

Speaking (20 minutes)

The speaking test consists of six tasks – two independent and four integrated.

Writing (50 minutes)

The writing test consists of 2 tasks – 1 integrated and 1 independent

Test registration

You can register for the TOEFL iBT by phone or mail. You can also register online. When you register for the test, you can specify the universities you want to receive your TOEFL scores. Your score will be published online 15 business days after you take the test. ETS, which conducts the TOEFL test, will also send you a paper score report.

TOEFL requirements

Every non-native student who wants to pursue higher education in a country where English is the language of communication is required to appear for the TOEFL test. Institutions differ in their TOEFL score requirements. Prestigious institutions will usually require higher TOEFL scores. The TOEFL Web site at www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/codelists.html has published a list of the 6,000 institutions accepting TOEFL scores.

Some universities allow a TOEFL waiver option. Students who are willing to enroll at the university’s intensive English Program until they achieve the required level of proficiency can opt for this option.

The TOEFL assesses a student’s speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English. Most test centers now use the Internet Based TOEFL (iBT). Paper-based and computer-based TOEFL tests are also available.

Paper-Based & Computer-Based TOEFL

The computer based TOEFL (CBT) was introduced in 1998. It has more or less the same format as the original paper-based test. Before the test begins students are asked to take a tutorial which shows them how to answer the questions properly. Note that the CBT has more ‘types’ of questions. While the paper-based test lasts for 2.5 hours, CBT takes approximately 4 hours (including the tutorial).

TOEFL format (paper based)

Listening comprehension (30 minutes)

The listening comprehension test will usually have three parts. Students are required to listen to short dialogues, long conversations and mini-lectures and answer the questions based on them.

Structure and written expression (25 minutes)

The structure and written expression test will have two types of questions – error recognition and sentence completion.

Reading comprehension (55 minutes)

Around 5 passages are given for reading and students are required to answer 50 questions based on the given passages.

Writing (30 minutes)

The TOEFL writing test asks students to write an essay on the given topic.

Computer based (CBT)

Adaptive listening (60 minutes)

During the adaptive listening test, students are required to listen to short dialogues, conversations, academic discussions and mini-lectures.

Adaptive structure (15-20 minutes)

Two types of questions are asked in this section – sentence completion (approximately 10 questions) and error recognition (approximately 15 questions).

Reading comprehension (70-90 minutes)

Approximately six passages are given for reading. Students are required to answer over 60 questions based on these passages.

Writing (30 minutes)

1 essay topic

Before you start writing

Read the question carefully. Before you start writing you must have clearly understood the question. What are the main points you want to write about? Make their list. TOEFL essay questions can be of very many kinds. You may be asked to choose a point of view and then support that view with your arguments or you may be asked to compare two points of view. Questions that require you to describe something are also asked. While answering questions that ask you to choose a point of view, you only need to write about that point of view. Don’t write about both sides of the argument. Clearly state which side you are on and why.

Parts of the essay

Every essay has three parts: introduction, body and conclusion. The introduction is the first part of the essay. It should give a brief overview of the topic you are going to discuss. The introduction must be written in such a way that it arouses the curiosity of the reader. Remember that a compelling introductory paragraph is what makes people want to read the rest of the essay.

The body of the essay should consist of several paragraphs in which you develop your main points. Discuss only one main idea in each paragraph. You can use quotations and examples to support your arguments. Make sure that each paragraph is a natural continuation of the previous paragraph.

The conclusion is the last part of your essay. In this part you are supposed to give a brief summary of your main points.

Writing tips

After you have written your first draft, revise it. You may want to reorganize your paragraphs or reword sentences. Delete unnecessary material. If you write the essay on a paper, make sure that it is legible. Carefully look for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors.

Write your essay in a simple language. As far as possible avoid lengthy sentences having a large number of clauses.

Score

The TOEFL writing essay is graded on a scale of 1 to 6 with 1 being the lowest and 6 being the highest score. Most students score between 3 and 4.