TOEF
L
iBT
TOEFL
-EXPRESS GUIDE-
EXAM PREPARATION
This guide aims to help you navigate through the TOEFL -Test Of English as a Foreign
Language-, understand the structure and know what is expected of you as a test-taker.
The most important part of any exam preparation is to know each part of it in depth.
You should be familiar with the structure and how the level system works, and the
meaning of each score.
In this guide, you will find:
Scoring table - level comparison
Test layout
Performance descriptors
Scaled scores
How to start? Step by step
Reading section
Listening section
Speaking section
Writing section
Do's and don'ts - final tips
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TOEFL EXPRESS GUIDE
LEVEL COMPARISON
Scoring table
CAMBRIDGE IELTS TOEFL IBT TOEFL ITP
Proficiency 8.5-9.0 96-120 627-667
Advanced 6.5-8.0 80-95 546-626
First 5.5-6.5 55-79 460-542
Preliminary 4.5-5.0 35-54 337-459
Key 3.0-4.0 25-34
1.0-2.5 0-24
Universities usually require a minimum of 60 points; however, depending on the career
or objective, this score can range from 60 to 95 points; in some cases, they can request
more than 100 points (for Ph.D.'s, for example).
It is crucial that you are certain about the score you require to plan your preparation
accordingly.
Before starting your preparation, you need to know what your current English level is.
This can be measured by taking a diagnostic test aimed for TOEFL or taking any general
English level test. Keep in mind these results will give you an approximate level. To get
an accurate result, further examinations and feedback are required. (Speaking and
writing, for instance)
Click here to go to a general English level test.
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TOEFL EXPRESS GUIDE
TEST LAYOUT - IN A NUTSHELL
TIME /
LAYOUT LEVEL
SCORE
study / work / migration
total lenght from 0 to 120
valid for 2 years
up to 2.6hrs total points
internet-based exam
Advanced (24–30)
3 or 4 reading 54 to 72
High-Intermediate (18–23)
10 questions minutes
Low-Intermediate (4–17)
per reading. 30 points
Below Low-Intermediate (0–3)
Advanced (22–30)
4 sections 40 to 60
High-Intermediate (17–21)
30 to 40 questions minutes
Low-Intermediate (9–16)
total 30 points
Below Low-Intermediate (0–8)
Advanced (25–30)
17 minutes
High-Intermediate (20–24)
recorded up to 1 min to speak
Low-Intermediate (16–19)
4 tasks on each task
Basic (10–15)
30 points
Below Basic (0–9)
Advanced (24–30)
2 essays: 50 minutes total
High-Intermediate (17–23)
1 integrated 20 for task 1
Low-Intermediate (13–16)
1 independent 30 for task 2
Basic (7–12)
30 points
Below Basic (0–6)
Official documents, downloadable links:
Performance descriptors Read these document thorou
ghly.
TOEFL goes from 0 to 120 poi
nts.
Scoring guide for speaking responses Most universities requiere a
minimum of 60 points.
60 points = B2 level
Scoring guide for writing responses
Scoring scale for reading and listening
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TOEFL EXPRESS GUIDE
HOW TO START?
STEP BY STEP
#1. Know your current level.
It is crucial that before beginning your preparation, you know what your English level is. If you fail to do this, it will be
more challenging to calculate the amount of time you need proper preparation. There are many online-level tests.
(refer to page 03). You can also take a TOEFL diagnostic test; it could be helpful to see your current exam skills.
#2. Know your objective.
Make sure you know exactly the minimum scores you need for each part and write them down.
#3. Familiarize with the test.
You need to know each part of the test in-depth. The type of questions you will get in each section and the time
allotted for each one. If you practice enough, you will recognize the challenges and little tricks the exam has more
easily.
#4. Make a study plan and stick to it.
Once you know the structure of the test and your current level, start designing a study plan. Many tools can help you
with this. The official TOEFL site offers a planner for free. Make sure you have enough time to prepare before taking
the test.
#5. Choose your resources
Finding the right material can be exhausting. You can start with the official guide and move from there. Refer to page
15 for my favorite tools. Have a list of all the links organized by skill, including grammar and vocabulary.
#6. Start with reading
By doing this, you will start growing your vocabulary and becoming familiar with certain academic topics that you will
see throughout the exam. Move on from there, following the same pattern of the exam: first READING, then
LISTENING, next SPEAKING, and finally WRITING.
#7. Practice with mock tests
Most of the preparation material available offers mock tests. There are also many online options. First, practice with
independent exercises for each question type and each skill. This will help you identify your weak points. Then move
on to mock tests. My advice is to take 1 full mock test per week. And at least 3 full mock exams (the more, the better)
before taking the real test.
#8. Track your progress
Every time you do a mock test, check the score for listening and reading and write it down. For speaking and writing,
you need feedback; however, you can compare your answers with official samples.
#9. Get professional feedback
For more accurate results, it is better that someone qualified gives you feedback on speaking and writing.
#10. Book the exam
And only do so when you have achieved the minimum score requirement in
at least the last 3 mock exams you took.
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READING
TOEFL IBT
The Reading section is designed to assess how well you can read and understand the materials used in an
academic environment.
It includes 3 or 4 reading passages, each approximately 700 words long, with 10 questions per passage.
You have 54 to 72 minutes to answer all the questions in the section.
Reading passages are excerpts from university-level textbooks that are being used in introductions to a
discipline or topic. The passages cover a variety of different subjects. Don't worry if you're not familiar with
the topic of a passage. The passage will include all the information you need in the questions. There is a
glossary feature available to define words not commonly used if you need it.
There are 3 groups of questions:
factual inference summary
Information Inference Prose Summary
Negative information Rhetorical purpose Categorization
Vocabulary Reference
Insert text
Reference
Sentence simplification
Let's see some example questions:
Identify factual information explicitly stated in the passage
information According to the paragraph, which of the following is true?
The author's description of X mentions which of the following?
Tip. Can refer to the passage. Specific questions require specific answers.
Identify the meaning of words and phrases
vocabulary The word x in the passage is closest in meaning to...
The phrase x in the passage means that….
Tip. The meaning of a word as it is used in the passage.
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READING
It measures your ability to comprehend an idea that is implied, NOT explicitly
stated in the text.
inference Which of the following can be inferred about..?
The author strongly implies that....
Tip. Think about the explicit meaning of the author´s words and the logical
connections and implications of those words.
Choose a sentence that has the same essential information as a sentence
that is stated in the reading passage.
sentence Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the
simplification highlighted sentence?
Tip. Make sure you understand that an answer is wrong if it contradicts
something in the highlighted sentence or if it leaves out some important
information.
Understand and recognize the major ideas and the relative importance of
information in a passage.
An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below.
prose Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express
the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the
summary
summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or
are minor ideas in the passage.
The correct choice will synthesize major ideas in the passage but it will not
match any particular sentence from the passage.
PRACTICE TIME!
Reading exercises for all question types
Official downloadable material
Extra practice
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LISTENING
TOEFL IBT
The Listening section is designed to measure your ability to understand conversations and lectures in
English. It includes listening for:
basic comprehension
pragmatic understanding (speaker's attitude and degree of certainty) and connecting and synthesizing
information
There are 2 types of listening items:
3 or 4 academic lectures, ranging from 3 to 5 minutes long and 6 questions per lecture. You will hear a
professor giving or explaining a topic. These topics range from natural science to history or art, even
business.
2 or 3 conversations about 3 minutes long and 5 questions per conversation. You will hear campus-
related situations or class discussions. These conversations can be between 2 students discussing an
announcement or a student and a teacher talking about a class.
The whole section lasts between 41 to 57 minutes.
There are 7 question types for the listening test.
Important to keep in mind:
You can only listen ONCE
You can take notes (and you should master this skill!)
You listen first and then you see the questions
There are some question that will repeat a clip of the audio
You will have 35 seconds to answer each question
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LISTENING
Why does the professor ask to see the student?
What problem does the student have?
main idea
What is the main idea of the lecture?
What subject is the professor mainly discussing?
In the Listening Section of the TOEFL ibt you may be asked what the subject, topic, or main idea of a
passage is. They may also ask what overall purpose the passage serves. It is important to understand the
gist of a passage may be directly stated or you may have to synthesize information from different parts of
the passage to understand the overall gist. (refer to your notes for this)
What is stated in the passage...?
details What is indicated in the passage...?
According to the speaker...?
On the TOEFL test, you may be asked about the details in a conversation or lecture. Detail questions are
roughly equivalent to the factual questions from the TOEFL Reading section. There are different types of
questions that deal with details.
1. Restatements.
Sometimes the correct answer choices restate the detail using different words. Sometimes an
incorrect answer choice will use the same words, but a change in word order has changed their
meaning.
2. Two correct answers.
Some detailed questions require two answers. These items have boxes in front of the answer choices on
the
the screen.
3. Linking content.
Sometimes you will hear a series of related bits of information, such as the steps in a process. The
question will ask you to identify which sentences or phrases are part of the series described.
What can be inferred from the Professor’s discussion of X?
inference What will the student probably do next?
What is implied when the speaker says this? (replay a short segment)
Sometimes, the question will replay a sentence from the recording for you; other times, you will need to rely
on your notes and memory to answer the question. Unfortunately, your notes may not always be much help
since you can’t take notes on information that isn’t there.
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TOEFL EXPRESS GUIDE
LISTENING
Listen again to part of the passage.
function and Why does the speaker say this?
attitude What is the attitude/opinion/point of view of the speaker?
Select the sentence that best expresses how the speaker feels.
What does the speaker mean when he says...?
Function questions test your understanding of pragmatics or the implied meaning that we get from context.
They often will ask about a very particular part of the passage, even just a single word. You should pay
attention to the way the speaker talks (intonation), as it is not about what they say but HOW they say it. The
question will replay a segment of the recording that contains the topic of the question and then will replay
just the topic.
How is the information in the organized?
organization
Click in the correct box
Organization questions occur almost exclusively in lectures and are of three basic types. The first type will
deal with the overall organization of the lecture; the second will ask you about the relationship between two
(or more) parts of the lecture, and the third is similar to a function question but deals with a whole sentence.
Indicate whether the given statements are true or not
Put events in order from first to last
categorizing Connect a few key terms to their definitions
Indicate whether these features are a form of X or Y
Categorizing questions ask you to sort key items from the lecture according to certain criteria. Some of the
answers will usually be stated, whereas others will be implied, and the categories will usually differ from the
most obvious ones mentioned in the lecture.
PRACTICE TIME!
Listening exercises for all question types
Listen!
Official downloadable material
Listening examples with explanation
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SPEAKING
TOEFL IBT
The Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT test measures your ability to communicate orally. There are 4
speaking tasks on the test. They are divided into two types: independent speaking tasks and integrated
speaking tasks. All answers are recorded. You can (and should) take notes.
The independent speaking task measures your ability to speak about topics that are familiar to you. You
will have 15 seconds to prepare your response and 45 seconds to speak. It asks you to make and support a
choice between two or more contrasting behaviors or actions.
The integrated speaking tasks measure your ability to combine information from several sources in a
spoken response. There are 3 integrated tasks: 2 reading/listening/speaking tasks and 1 listening/speaking
task.
You will hear a campus situation topic and an academic topic. You will have 45 seconds to read a short
passage; then, you will hear the conversation or lecture. You will have 30 seconds to prepare your
response and 60 seconds to record it.
The integrated listening/speaking task is about an academic course topic that you will be asked to
summarize and explain. You will listen to a passage. You will then have 20 seconds to prepare your
response and 60 seconds to speak.
UNDERSTANDING SPEAKING EVALUATION
The official TOEFL Speaking rubrics for the Independent and Integrated tasks differ slightly from each
other. (refer to page 03) Your answers are scored based on three components on a scale from 0 to 4, then
added up and scaled:
how clearly and intelligibly you speak. This includes
Delivery: pronunciation, flow, intonation, and pacing.
Language use: how well you use grammar and vocabulary to
express yourself
how coherently you construct your response by
Topic development: connecting thoughts and elaborating on ideas.
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INDEPENDENT TASK - QUESTION 1
There are 3 types of questions within this task.
1- Agree/Disagree 2. Paired choice
This is the most common style in TOEFL In this style of TOEFL speaking question,
speaking question 1. You are given a you must pick between two contrasting
statement (usually a single sentence) and choices. It looks like these samples:
asked whether you agree or disagree with
it. It looks like these samples: There are many different approaches to
academic studies, and all of them have
State whether you agree or disagree specific benefits. Do you prefer to study
with the following statement. Then for tests in a group, or to study alone?
explain your reasons using specific Include details and examples to support
details in your argument. Teachers your explanation.
should assign daily homework to
students.
3. Good idea
In this style, a choice or situation is
described. You should state if you think it is
a good idea. It looks like this: Structure:
1. Introduce topic
Nowadays, some people use extreme
2. Give your opinion
methods, including surgery, to change
3. Support it with
their appearance. They do this because
they want to look more attractive. Do you
reasons and examples
think this is a good idea? Support your
answer with details and examples.
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TOEFL EXPRESS GUIDE
INTEGRATED TASKS - QUESTION 2
You will read a short campus announcement, usually about a change. You will hear 2 students talking about it; one of
them supports or disagrees with the change. You will be asked to summarize what you have read and listened to. You
will have 30 seconds to prepare your answer and 60 seconds to speak.
The Reading.
The Listening
The reading part is about 100 words long,
The conversation is 1.5 to 2 minutes long.
and you are given 45 seconds to read it
It is always between a man and a woman.
and take notes. The changes are usually
related to:
Buildings on a university campus
Classes and majors at a university
Transportation on a university campus
Extra-Curricular activities at a
university (sports, clubs, etc)
Sample question
Directions: The University is making a
change in the courses it will offer. Read the Structure:
article from the university newspaper about
the change. Give yourself 45 seconds to
1. Introduce the
read the article. situation
2. Explain whether the
(article, then listening)
student agrees/disagrees
The woman expresses her
opinion of the university’s plan.
3. Give 2 reasons why.
State her opinion and the reasons
she gives for holding that
opinion.
INTEGRATED TASKS - QUESTION 3
You will read a short article about an academic topic. You will have 45 seconds to read it. Next, you will
hear a short lecture about the same topic. The lecture will illustrate this topic using one or two examples.
You will be asked to summarize the reading and lecture. You will be given 30 seconds to prepare and 60
seconds to speak.
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TOEFL EXPRESS GUIDE
The Reading The Listening
The reading is usually about a specific The lecture is usually 1.5 minutes or 2
term or concept. minutes long. It is about the same term
Biology/Animals – 60% or idea from the reading. Most of it will
Business/Marketing – 20% consist of one or two examples that
Psychology/Learning – 10% demonstrate the term or idea.
Art/History/Literature – 10%
Common types of questions:
Describe what _____ is, and how the professor’s example illustrates this idea.
Describe how the example of the ____ illustrates the concept of ____.
Explain the concept of _____ using the examples of ____ and ____ given in
the lecture.
Using the examples from the lecture, explain the concept of ______.
Sample question
Directions: Read a passage about revealing
coloration from a biology textbook. You have 45
e:
Structur
I n t r o d uce the seconds to read the passage.
1. (article and listening)
n
situatio
n 1 p o i nt from Using the examples of the peanut bug
io
2. Ment + e xample and the morpho butterfly, explain the
sa g e
the pas n o t h er point
concept of revealing coloration.
ion a Preparation Time: 30 seconds
3. Ment Response Time: 60 seconds
ple.
+ exam
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TOEFL EXPRESS GUIDE
INTEGRATED TASKS - QUESTION 4
TOEFL Speaking question four is the last integrated speaking question. You will be asked a specific question that
requires you to summarize the lecture you heard. You will be given 20 seconds to prepare, and 60 seconds to speak.
The Listening
The lecture is usually 1.5 minutes or 2 minutes long. It will be about an
academic term, concept, process. This term will likely be illustrated using two
examples. The most common topics:
Biology/Animals – 60%
Business/Marketing – 17%
Psychology/Learning – 17%
Art/History/Literature – 6%
Common types of questions:
Using the example of ______ from the lecture, explain two ways that
(CONCEPT/TERM) is beneficial for animals.
Using the points and examples from the lecture explain (CONCEPT/TERM).
Using the example of _____, explain the possible effects of (CONCEPT/TERM).
Using the examples of ______ and _____, explain two ways that animals use
(CONCEPT/TERM).
Sample question
Directions: Listen to a part of a lecture in a
business class.
e:
(listening) Structur
n t r o d uce the
Using the points and examples from 1. I
n
the lecture, explain the two pricing
situatio t from
strategies described by the professor.
1 p o i n
ion
Preparation Time: 20 seconds 2. Ment + e x ample
Response Time: 60 seconds nin g
the liste n o t h e r point
ion a
3. Ment
ple.
+ exam
PRACTICE TIME!
Speaking questions per task.
Official downloadable material
Speaking extra practice with sample answers
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WRITING
TOEFL IBT
The TOEFL writing part has 2 tasks:
Integrated essay. You will read an article (four paragraphs) and listen to a lecture (2-3 minutes) on the
same topic. The lecture will usually challenge the argument made in reading. Your essay must compare the
reading and the lecture. You have 20 minutes to write your essay. You should write about 150 to 250
words.
Independent essay. You must give your personal opinion on a question that will probably be related to
education, work, or lifestyle. You will have 30 minutes to write your essay. You should write at least 300
words.
Task 1. INTEGRATED ESSAY
You will get any of these question types:
“Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how...
they oppose specific points made in the reading passage.”
they answer the specific problems presented in the reading passage.”
how they cast doubt on specific solutions presented in the reading passage.“
For this essay, you can (and should) take notes. You can do it following the structure of the reading and
then write opposing or supporting points from the listening:
Reading Listening
Topic
Reason 1
Reason 2
Reason 3
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TOEFL EXPRESS GUIDE
Essay structure
Introduction
State the topic F L w r it in g is formal.
TOE
oid informal
Therefore av
nd
vocabulary a
Body
Describe first point
-Paraphrase professor's point
expressions.
nsition
+Compare/contrast with reading Use good tra
ntial)
+details or examples. words. (esse
e c le a r a n d concise.
B
Describe second point
-Paraphrase professor's point
+Compare/contrast with reading
+details or examples.
Conclusion (optional)
Restate the relationship between the
two sources
Task 2. INDEPENDENT ESSAY
There are 5 types of essays:
agree Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
disagree Only people who earn a lot of money are successful.
Some people prefer to study alone, others prefer to study
preference
with a group. Which do you prefer?
If you could visit any country in the world, which country
imaginary
would you like to visit?
What are the characteristics of a good neighbor?
description
Compare the advantages of living in university housing
compare with the advantages of living in an apartment in the
contrast community. Where would you prefer to live?
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TOEFL EXPRESS GUIDE
Essay structure
Regardless of the type of essay you get, the steps and structure are the same.
Introduction
State the topic and write
your thesis statement.
Body
Stages:
e task
1. Analyse th
Describe first point
Explain why ideas
Give examples + details
2. Brainstorm
et the
3. Plan and s
Describe second point structure
Explain why 4. Write it
Give examples + details
5. Proofread
Describe third point
Explain why
Give examples + details
Conclusion
Summarize the essay
Write a final thought
PRACTICE TIME!
Writing practice questions
Official downloadable material
Sample essays
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TOEFL EXPRESS GUIDE
DO'S AND DON'TS
FINAL TIPS!
Please do:
Practice, practise, practice
Build up complementary skills like note-
taking.
Allocate time
Make a plan
Follow-through
Reading:
Consume academic material
Listening:
Check common expressions will be helpful
for the inference questions.
Speaking:
Phrasal verbs are your friends
Be natural
Writing:
Plan your essay
Allow having 2 minutes to proofread.
Do mock tests, many!
Practice with real software
Track your progress
Get feedback from a professional. Please don't:
Don't snooze on grammar and
vocabulary.
Don't use rigid templates
Don't copy-paste phrases
Don't take a mock test the same day
or the previous day of your exam
Don't book your exam if you are not
ready
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TOEFL EXPRESS GUIDE
RESOURCES AND MATERIAL
Recommended guides:
Official guide to the TOEFL iBT test 6th edition. ETS
Official TOEFLiBT tests. ETS
Princeton review TOEFL iBT prep. Princeton
Preparation course for the TOEFL test. Longman
Complementary books:
Check your vocabulary for TOEFL. Rawdon Wyatt.
Building reading skills. Hryhorij Dyczok.
TOEFL speaking success. Josh Macpherson.
Vocabulary and grammar for the TOEFL test. Collins.
Websites:
https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/content/
https://www.bestmytest.com/blog/tags/toefl-preparation
https://magoosh.com/toefl/
http://www.goodlucktoefl.com/
Youtube:
linguamarina
NoteFull TOEFL Mastery
MagooshTOEFL
TOEFL TV: The Official TOEFL iBT Channel
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