1. What is TOEFL?

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the English proficiency of non-
native speakers. It is mainly used for university admissions, immigration, and professional
certification.

There are two major versions:

 TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) → The most common and widely accepted today.

 TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based Test) → The older format, now mostly discontinued but still
offered in very limited areas without internet access.

2. TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test)

Format & Sections

The TOEFL iBT is taken on a computer and has 2 main sections:

1. Reading (35 minutes | 20 questions)

o Academic passages (like university textbooks).

o Multiple-choice and drag-and-drop style questions.

2. Listening (36 minutes | 28 questions)

o Lectures, classroom discussions, conversations.

o Answer factual, inference, and purpose-based questions.

3. Speaking (16 minutes | 4 tasks)

o Independent task (personal opinion).

o Integrated tasks (combine listening/reading with speaking).

4. Writing (29 minutes | 2 tasks)

o Integrated essay (read + listen + write).

o Independent essay (opinion-based).

Scoring
  Each section: 0–30 points.

 Total score: 0–120 points.

 Results available in 4–8 days.

Test Availability

 Offered more than 60 times per year worldwide.

 Can be taken at test centers or at home (TOEFL iBT Home Edition).

Cost

 Varies by country (usually $180–$250 USD).

Acceptance

 Accepted by 11,000+ universities and institutions in over 150 countries (USA, Canada,
UK, Europe, Australia, etc.).

3. TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based Test)

⚠️Important: The TOEFL PBT has been largely phased out. Only available in places where
internet-based testing is not possible.

Format & Sections

1. Listening Comprehension (30–40 min)

o Conversations and lectures.

2. Structure and Written Expression (25 min)

o Grammar, sentence correction.

3. Reading Comprehension (55 min)

o Academic passages with questions.

4. Writing (TWE – Test of Written English) (30 min)

o Write one essay.

Scoring

 Sections (Listening, Structure, Reading): 31–68 each.

 Total score: 310–677.

 Essay (TWE): 0–6 scale.

Test Length

 About 2 hours 30 minutes.

Availability

 Offered only in limited locations without internet.

 Being replaced by TOEFL iBT Paper Edition, where Reading, Listening, and Writing are
done on paper, but Speaking is done on a computer at home.

4. TOEFL iBT vs. TOEFL PBT (Comparison)

Feature TOEFL iBT TOEFL PBT

Format Internet/computer-based Paper-based

Sections Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing Listening, Structure, Reading, Writing (TWE)

Scoring 0–120 310–677 (+ essay 0–6)

Speaking Yes (recorded tasks) No (not included)

Availability Worldwide (most common) Rare, only no-internet areas

Duration ~2 hours ~2.5 hours

Usage Universities, immigration, jobs Mostly discontinued

✅ Summary:

 TOEFL iBT → Modern, widely accepted, internet-based.

  TOEFL PBT → Old, almost discontinued, only available in few locations.

TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test)

1. Reading Section

 Time: ~35 minutes

 Questions: 20

 Format: 2 academic passages (~700 words each).

 Task types:

o Multiple-choice (choose 1 correct answer).

o Multiple-response (choose 2 answers).

o Insert a sentence into the passage.

o Vocabulary-in-context (choose meaning of a word).

o Summary table (pick correct main ideas).

 Skills tested:

o Reading for main ideas, details, purpose, inference, and vocabulary

understanding.

 Example task:

o Passage about climate change.

o Q: “The word mitigate in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to…?”

o Options: (A) prevent (B) reduce (C) control (D) explain.

2. Listening Section

 Time: ~36 minutes

 Questions: 28

 Format:

o 3 lectures (3–5 minutes each, ~6 questions each).

 o 2 conversations (2–3 minutes each, ~5 questions each).

 Task types:

o Multiple-choice (1 answer).

o Multiple-choice (2 answers).

o Order steps/events.

o Match ideas to speakers.

 Skills tested:

o Listening for main ideas, supporting details, speaker attitude, and organization.

 Example task:

o Listen to a professor explaining photosynthesis.

o Q: “What is the main purpose of the lecture?”

o Options: (A) To explain a process (B) To compare methods (C) To criticize research
(D) To introduce a topic.

3. Speaking Section

 Time: 16 minutes

 Tasks: 4

 Format:

o Task 1: Independent Speaking (45 sec) → Give your opinion about a familiar
topic.

o Task 2: Integrated Speaking (60 sec) → Read short passage + listen to

conversation → summarize.

o Task 3: Integrated Speaking (60 sec) → Listen to lecture + summarize.

o Task 4: Integrated Speaking (60 sec) → Academic passage + lecture → explain.

 Skills tested:

o Fluency, pronunciation, organization, clarity, grammar, vocabulary.

 Example task:
 o “Some people prefer studying alone, others prefer studying in groups. Which do
you prefer and why?”

4. Writing Section

 Time: 29 minutes

 Tasks: 2

 Format:

o Task 1: Integrated Writing (20 min) → Read short passage + listen to lecture →
write a 150–225 word essay.

o Task 2: Independent Writing (10 min) → Opinion-based essay (~250 words).

 Skills tested:

o Organizing ideas, using academic vocabulary, grammar, coherence, citing sources.

 Example task:

o “Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Technology has made
people more connected than ever before. Use examples to support your answer.”

TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based Test)

(Mostly discontinued, but here’s the structure if you encounter it.)

1. Listening Comprehension

 Time: 30–40 minutes

 Questions: 50

 Format:

o Part A: Short conversations (choose response).

o Part B: Longer conversations.

o Part C: Lectures/talks.

 Skills tested: Understanding spoken English, details, and main ideas.

2. Structure and Written Expression

 Time: 25 minutes

 Questions: 40

 Format:

o Sentence completion (choose correct grammar).

o Error identification (spot the mistake).

 Skills tested: Grammar, sentence structure, formal written English.

 Example task:

o “The book ____ on the table belongs to Sarah.”

o (A) lying (B) lie (C) lays (D) lain → Correct: (A) lying.

3. Reading Comprehension

 Time: 55 minutes

 Questions: 50

 Format: Academic reading passages.

 Skills tested: Reading for details, inference, vocabulary in context.

4. Test of Written English (TWE)

 Time: 30 minutes

 Task: Write one essay.

 Skills tested: Clarity, grammar, idea organization, vocabulary.

🔑 Key Takeaway

 TOEFL iBT → More modern, tests speaking, integrated tasks, widely used.

 TOEFL PBT → Grammar-focused, no speaking, less common.

TOEFL iBT Scoring Rubrics

1. Reading & Listening (0–30 each)

 Automatically scored by computer.

 Points are based on the number of correct answers.

 Some questions are worth more than 1 point (e.g., “select 2 answers” or “insert
sentence”).

 No penalty for wrong answers → Always guess.

2. Speaking (0–30 total, 4 tasks)

Examiners listen to your recorded responses and score on 4 dimensions.

Score Range Description

26–30 Clear, natural speech; well-organized answers; few or no mistakes in

(Excellent) grammar/vocabulary.

Generally clear; occasional pauses; minor grammar/vocabulary errors but

22–25 (Good)
meaning still clear.

Noticeable problems with grammar/vocabulary; some pauses; limited

18–21 (Fair)
development of ideas.

10–17 (Limited) Frequent pauses; weak organization; serious grammar/vocabulary errors.

0–9 (Very
Very hard to understand; off-topic or incomplete responses.
Weak)

👉 What examiners check:

 Delivery → pronunciation, fluency, natural pace.

 Language use → grammar, vocabulary, sentence variety.

 Topic development → organization, clarity, examples.

3. Writing (0–30 total, 2 tasks)

Task 1: Integrated Writing (0–5)

  5 = Well-organized essay, clear comparison between passage & lecture, accurate use of
details, strong grammar & vocab.

 4 = Good essay but some minor errors or missing details.

 3 = Partial development, some inaccuracies, noticeable grammar issues.

 2 = Weak organization, limited vocabulary, major errors.

 1 = Very poor, unclear, almost no development.

 0 = Off-topic or copied text.

Task 2: Independent Writing (0–5)

 5 = Clear opinion, well-organized paragraphs, strong support & examples, few grammar
mistakes.

 4 = Good argument but some weak examples or minor errors.

 3 = Limited support, repetitive, grammar issues.

 2 = Very weak structure, little support, many mistakes.

 1 = Almost no development, very unclear.

 0 = Off-topic, copied, or blank.

👉 Essays are scored by two raters (human + AI). Scores are averaged, then scaled to 0–30.

TOEFL PBT Scoring

1. Listening, Structure, Reading

 Each section raw score → converted to 31–68 scale.

 Total score range: 310–677.

2. Writing (TWE)

 Scored 0–6.

 Similar rubric to iBT Independent Writing: clarity, grammar, vocabulary, organization, and
support.

✅ Tips to Maximize Scores

 Reading/Listening: Practice skimming, note keywords, answer every question.

 Speaking: Use simple but clear sentences; structure answers (intro → reason → example
→ conclusion).

 Writing: Always plan (2–3 mins), use linking words (first, however, therefore), give
examples.