TOEFL Exam

TOEFL Exam

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

TOEFL Exam Registration Process in 2025

Registration

Eligibility Criteria

TOEFL Exam Eligibility

  • 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Top TOEFL Test Centres in India in 2025

Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Delhi, Gurugram, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nizamabad, Patna, Prayagraj, Puducherry, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam, Warangal,

Result Statistics

You will get four scaled section scores/results for TOEFL and a total score/consolidated score. Each section has a score range of 0–30. These are added together for a total score of 0–120.

Skill

Level

Reading

Advanced (24–30)
High-Intermediate (18–23)
Low-Intermediate (4–17)
Below Low-Intermediate (0–3)

Writing

Advanced (24–30)
High-Intermediate (17–23)
Low-Intermediate (13–16)
Basic (7–12)
Below Basic (0–6)

Listening

Advanced (22–30)
High-Intermediate (17–21)
Low-Intermediate (9–16)
Below Low-Intermediate (0–8)

Speaking

Advanced (25–30)
High-Intermediate (20–24)
Low-Intermediate (16–19)
Basic (10–15)
Below Basic (0–9)

Related Blogs

Tips and Tricks to Prepare for TOEFL Online
01FEB

Tips and Tricks to Prepare for TOEFL Online

Certainly! Online TOEFL preparation can be difficult but doable. TOEFL online preparation necessitates a systematic strategy and efficient tactics.

Here are a few pointers to help you prepare for the TOEFL Online to study abroad in USA, UK, and Canada.

  • Familiarise yourself with the test format: Understand the different sections of the TOEFL Online study abroad in the USA, UK, and Canada, including reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Review each section's question types, time limits, and scoring criteria. This will assist you in strategizing your preparedness.

  • Consistent practice: The secret to TOEFL success is consistent practice. Access practice examinations, reading passages, listening exercises, and sample essays using online resources. Websites like ETS (the organization that administers the TOEFL to study abroad in the USA, UK, and Canada) and others provide free materials.

  • Practice with official materials: Use authentic TOEFL online practice resources from the ETS website. These materials accurately portray the TOEFL test for studying abroad in the USA, UK, and Canada and can assist you in becoming acquainted with the question types and difficulty levels.

  • Conduct practice tests: Take full-length practice tests under timed settings to simulate the exam environment. This will assist you in increasing your endurance, improving your time management abilities, and identifying your strengths and limitations.

  • Review grammar and vocabulary: You should review the laws of English grammar and work on expanding your vocabulary. To further solidify your comprehension, make use of study aids for grammar and vocabulary, as well as internet resources and flashcards.

  • Enhance your reading abilities: In order to improve your reading comprehension abilities, you should practice reading a range of English materials, such as articles, essays, and academic sections for TOEFL to study abroad in USA, UK, and Canada. Exercise your skills in summarising the key ideas, recognising supporting facts, and interpreting the tone and intent of the author.

  • Improve your abilities to listen: Listen to a wide variety of English audio resources, such as lectures, chats, podcasts, and news broadcasts. This can help you improve your English listening comprehension. Put your attention on comprehending the major points, the specifics, as well as the viewpoint or opinion of the speaker.

  • Develop speaking skills: Regular practice speaking English, either on your own or with a study partner, is essential to fluency. Make a recording of your answers and evaluate them for fluency, coherence, and pronunciation later. You should work on strengthening your capacity to clearly articulate your views and organising the thoughts you have.

  • Improve your writing abilities: Exercise your writing skills by practicing with integrated writing activities and essays. Pay close attention to the sentence structure, terminology, organisation, and consistency of your writing. Seek input from your instructors, tutors, or other native English speakers to assist you in determining the areas in which you need to improve.

  • Time management: Master the skills necessary to effectively manage your time throughout the test. Find out what the time limits are, practice organising, and practice organising your time in the appropriate manner. Maintain a steady pace so that you can answer all of the questions within the time limit.

  • Study test-taking techniques: Learn useful strategies for taking tests, such as skimming and scanning for reading, taking notes for listening, and organising your thoughts for writing. By utilizing these strategies, you will not only be able to improve your accuracy but also save time.

  • Examine and evaluate your practice tests: After you have finished all of your practice examinations, you should go back over your answers and evaluate where you went wrong. Learn from your past errors by gaining an awareness of the reasons behind them. Focus your attention throughout the upcoming practice sessions on improving the areas in which you now struggle.

  • Remain calm and confident: Maintain your composure and a pleasant attitude on the day of the exam. You will be able to perform to the best of your ability if you are confident in the preparation that you have done.


Here are the general guidelines for the TOEFL in the USA, UK, and Canada:

TOEFL Guidelines for the USA, UK, and Canada

  • Test Format: The TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) is the most common format used in the USA, UK, and Canada. It assesses reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills.

  • Test Centers: There are numerous test centers across the USA, UK, and Canada where you can take the TOEFL. You can register for the test online through the official TOEFL website.

  • Score Requirements: The score requirements vary depending on the institution or program you are applying to. Generally, a higher score is required for graduate programs compared to undergraduate programs. Most universities publish their minimum TOEFL score requirements on their websites.

  • English Proficiency for Visa Purposes: If you are applying for a student visa to study in UK, USA or Canada, you may need to meet specific English proficiency requirements set by the U.S. Department of State. The TOEFL score can be used to demonstrate English proficiency in visa applications.

Keep in mind that the key factors necessary for passing the toefl exam syllabus are consistent practice, thorough preparation, and effective management of your time. Best wishes!

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo Which Exam to Take for Study Abroad
20JAN

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo Which Exam to Take for Study Abroad

If you want to study abroad but do not speak English, you must take an English language competence exam to get admission to an international institution. But which English language exam should you take? Many aspects influence the response, including which exam is approved by your selected institution, which test centers are nearby, how much money you are ready to pay, and so on.

Don't worry if you become puzzled about it. We shall compare the four most popular English language examinations in this Blog:

  • IELTS

  • TOEFL

  • PTE

  • Duolingo

IELTS - TOEFL - PTE - Duolingo For Study Abroad

  • IELTS: International English Language Testing System is the most widely used English language competency exam, with over 11,500 institutions and organizations worldwide accepting it. Students who want to study in Australia for Indian Students. This test is broken up into four parts: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. While the Listening, Reading, and Writing examinations are all administered on the same day, the Speaking test may be administered up to a week before or after the other tests.

  • TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language is a language test for overseas students who want to study in USA for Indian students or Canada.

  • PTE: Pearson Exam of English is a language competency exam for non-native English speakers who desire to study or work in an English-speaking country.

  • Duolingo: It's creating this standardized test of English language competency. The exam is fully online and contains multiple-choice questions in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

They are all structured exams for assessing non-native speakers' English language skills. Before taking the exam, verify with your particular institution or organization to confirm that it will be approved.

IELTS vs. TOEFL vs. PTE vs. Duolingo: Exam Format

Details

IELTS

TOEFL iBT

PTE

Duolingo

Conducting Body

IDP IELTS

Education Testing Service

Pearson

Duolingo

Formats

Computer-delivered and Paper-based

Online

Computer-based

Online

Duration

161-164 mins

170-180 mins

154-191 mins

60 mins

Exam fee

Computer-delivered: 16,250

Computer-delivered for UKVI: 16,500

Paper-based: 16,250

Life Skills (A1 & B1): 15,350
UK Visas & Immigration: 16,500

15,997

Academic: 15,900

Academic Online: 15,900

Academic UKVI: 15,900

Home A1: 13,500

Home A2: 13,500

4,000

Result declaration

3 - 5 days (Computer-

delivered);

13 days (Paper-based)

10 days

5 working days

48 hours

Scoring range

Band score (0-9)

Score (0-120)

Score (0-90)

Score (10-160)

Exams were compared based on their structure, length, and score.

Exam

Structure

Duration

Score

IELTS

Reading, Writing, Speaking, and listening

2 hours, 45 minutes

1 to 9

TOEFL

Reading, Writing, Speaking, and listening

3 hours

0 to 120

PTE

Reading, Writing, Speaking, and listening

2 hours

10 to 90

Duolingo

Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and production

1 hour

0 to 160

Which Exam is Better for Study Abroad: IELTS - TOEFL vs. PTE vs. Duolingo?

Standardized assessments for English language competency include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and DET. Each exam has its own structure, content, and scoring system, thus, determining which one is "better" is difficult since it depends on the individual's learning style and requirements.

  • IELTS: Universities, institutions, and organizations in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand all recognize the IELTS exam. It is considered a more academic-focused exam, with a greater emphasis on comprehending and using difficult grammar and vocabulary.

  • TOEFL: Universities and institutions in the US and other nations accept the TOEFL exam.

  • PTE: Universities, institutions, and organizations in English-speaking nations accept the PTE exam.

  • Duolingo: It is a modern exam that some institutions and companies accept as evidence of English language ability (but not all).

Finally, the appropriate exam for you will depend on your unique needs, ambitions, and the requirements of the institution or organization to which you intend to apply. Before making a decision, it is critical to examine the structure, content, and scoring method of each test, as well as the acceptance of the test result by your specific school or organization.

Exams have been contrasted based on their outcomes, popularity, and acceptability

Exam

Results

Popularity

Acceptance

IELTS

between three and five days after the scheduled date of the examination

Widely popular in Canada, the UK, and Australia

11000+ International Colleges

TOEFL

6-10 days after taking the test

Widely popular in the USA and Canada

11,500+ International Colleges in 160 countries

PTE

Declared online within two working days

Known and respected across a great number of establishments in the UK, Australia, USA, and Canada

3,000+ International Colleges

Duolingo

Within 48 hours of completing the test

USA, Canada

Accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide


Overall, it makes no difference whether you take IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Duolingo PTE Academic. They are all well-known and reputable exams that allow students to go abroad and pursue their aspirations of studying abroad. You can pass any English proficiency exam and travel to your study abroad location if you have the motivation and determination to work hard and prepare yourself.

Which is Better for Studying in New Zealand IELTS or TOEFL?
17JUN

Which is Better for Studying in New Zealand IELTS or TOEFL?

IELTS and TOEFL are international examinations meant to assess a person's English competence. The modules for both tests are the same: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. TOEFL is an online test, while IELTS is a manual exam. By taking either test, one may simply apply for study at New Zealand's best institutions. While applying for a student visa in New Zealand, the majority of applicants take the IELTS test. It's conceivable they find it simpler, or there might be another reason.

I would recommend that you first choose a New Zealand university or college and then select an exam based on the institution's requirements.

In New Zealand, there are no exceptions. A student must take the exam and get the minimum IELTS score for New Zealand required by the university of choice in New Zealand for a specific subject. This qualification is required for student visas to New Zealand, not simply for university applications.

IELTS New Zealand - It is not difficult to attend New Zealand schools; nonetheless, there are some requirements that you must meet, one of which is to demonstrate that your English language abilities are basic. The IELTS Score criteria vary depending on your chosen degree and different universities. The answer is simple: universities only accept IELTS Academic! If you're still debating between IELTS Academic and General Training, the solution is simple.

The necessary IELTS score for New Zealand is 6.0 with no bands lower than 5.5. IELTS is an official language exam for most institutions that use English as their official language in countries such as New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It assesses your ability to read, write, communicate, and listen in academic or general training circumstances.

The followings are the general language and academic requirements for New Zealand:

S.NO

Program to Study

Minimum IELTS Score for New Zealand

1

Diploma L5 & L6

6.0 with no band less than 5.5

2

Bachelor L7

6.0 with no band less than 5.5

3

Graduate Diploma L7

6.0 with no band less than 5.5

4

Post-graduate Diploma L8

6.5 with no band less than 6.0

5

Master Programme L9

6.5 with no band less than 6.0

Which is better for New Zealand, IELTS or TOEFL?

An English-speaking university will need you to take either the IELTS or the TOEFL as part of your application to see if you will be able to understand the course material.

The IELTS and TOEFL tests are two of the most widely used English exams. Both of these examinations, however, vary in their test designs, methodologies, and educational criteria. This implies that before deciding which test to study for and ultimately take, you should compare the two.

University

IELTS Score

TOEFL iBT Score

UG

PG

UG

PG

University of Auckland

6.0

6.5

80

90

University of Otago

6.0

6.5

80

95

University of Canterbury

6.0

6.5

80

90

Victoria University of Wellington

6.0

6.5

80

90

University of Waikato

6.0

6.5

80

90

IELTS is a popular alternative for demonstrating English language competency. If you want to study in New Zealand, you must take the IELTS Academic test, which includes parts on reading, writing, listening, and speaking and costs 14,700 INR.

Comparing IELTS and TOEFL For Study Abroad
20JAN

Comparing IELTS and TOEFL For Study Abroad

International students from non-native English-speaking countries who want to study at a university in abroad must take an English language proficiency exam. [TOEFL or IELTS]. Both have a high level of credibility and acceptance by institutions that want to evaluate a person's English. They both assess reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities.

  • TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language, and it is an English language competence test developed by the ETS company in the United States (Education Test Service).

  • The International English Language Testing System is abbreviated as IELTS. IDP Australia, The British Council, and Cambridge Examinations own and operate the test.

Although the goal of these tests is the same, they vary in a number of ways. Thus, if you're not sure which to take, read our guide to grasp the differences between IELTS and TOEFL and select the best one for you.

Structure of the IELTS and TOEFL Exams

The table below compares the differences between all portions of both exams:

Section

TOEFL

IELTS

Reading

  • 3 - 5 20-minute reading assignments.
  • Academic reading materials are available.
  • Multiple-choice questions
  • Three reading options of 20 minutes each.
  • The materials are academic in nature.
  • There are several types of inquiries (gap fill, matching, etc.)

Listening

  • The listening choices differs greatly from that of IELTS.
  • You will get 40 to 60 minutes to listen to lectures or campus dialogues.
  • Make notes and answer multiple-choice questions.
  • A broader range of question kinds, as well as exercises of various durations
  • As you go through the test's listening section, you will be asked questions.

Writing

  • Task one requires you to write a five-paragraph essay of 300 to 350 words.
  • In the second activity, you have to take notes from both a reading in a textbook and a lecture on the same subject.
  • You will next be required to react using notes by composing a 150-225 word selection that incorporates both the reading and listening selections.
  • The first assignment is a 200-250 word essay.
  • The second IELTS writing problem requires you to examine an information graphic, such as a graph or chart, and describe the information offered.

Speaking

  • You are requested to record 45–60 second computer replies to six different questions based on brief descriptions or conversations.
  • The test's speaking component lasts 20 minutes.
  • The IELTS speaking portion lasts 12 to 14 minutes and is administered by an examiner rather than a machine.
  • A brief warm-up exercise consists mostly of casual conversation, then a response to some kind of visual stimulation, and finally a more in-depth talk about something related.

Students can find out their TOEFL score 6–10 days after taking the test. The IELTS test results are available online a week after the test or in paper form 13 days after the test. If you're still perplexed, try reading IELTS vs. TOEFL.

Frequently asked Questions

You will get an option for cancelling the test score at the end of the exam. Furthermore, you can’t cancel the score of any one section of the test. You will be charged a US$20 fee for ordering each Additional Score Report.
You will be able to achieve a perfect score by practicing more and more. There are an end number of books, study materials and practice tests available online and offline. Besides, you get an official practice test to gain the experience of taking the real test.
You need to register for the TOEFL test as early as possible, because seats are filled quickly. Register 3 to 4 months prior you sit for the exam. Also, the test date should be at least 2-3 months before your nearest application deadline.
You can retake the TOEFL test as many times as you wish. Moreover, you can’t take it more than once in three days. If you have already registered for the test, then you can’t register again for the test within three days of your existing appointment.
The TOEFL iBT test varies from country to country. The TOEFL registration fees for India are US$190, for US it is US$195, and for Australia it is around US$300.
The half of the exam fee will be repaid if the candidate cancels the registration before the 4 days deadline. Cash refunds are not available, refunds are paid only in US dollars.
The TOEFL iBT test is delivered through the internet. The test is administered online at testing sites across the world. It monitors the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills of the candidates. The test is offered 50 times a year. On the other hand, the revised TOEFL paper-based test, which replaced the TOEFL PBT test analyses the writing, reading, and listening skills of the candidates. In this test, speaking skills cannot be measured because of the limitations of capturing spoken responses.
The conducting body of TOEFL is ETS. Anybody who wants to study or work abroad can give this test to prove English language proficiency. This language score helps students get admission in various Universities abroad, especially for English-speaking countries.